We’re thrilled to announce that Sean Tessandori has joined us as our new Ceramics Studio Coordinator!
A California-born artist, Sean discovered his passion for clay in high school and continued to study ceramics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He earned a BA in Studio Arts with a focus on ceramics from Humboldt State University in 2017. Sean is a multidisciplinary creative with expertise in kiln repair, technology navigation, metalsmithing, and 3D printmaking—and he even dreams of building his own cabin in the near future.
Sean officially started on Thursday, December 5, 2024, diving right into the Mill’s activities. That day, he joined Gerald Lucena, students, teachers, and parents from Holualoa Elementary School on a huakaʻi to Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa, followed by a professional development session with artist Laurel Nakanishi on Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). Sean didn’t hesitate to be fully present and actively engage in both events by connecting with students, helping where he observed gaps and by saying yes to trying VTS with the classroom teachers.
Over the past two months, Sean has acclimated to the Mill and this wonderful rural community, showcasing his problem-solving skills, organizational expertise, and enthusiasm. He naturally thinks long-term and is excited to reintroduce pit firing and raku experiences to the Mill. This summer, Sean will also teach his first Intro to Ceramics class, held Thursday evenings from June 5 to August 7, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
“I am very happy to take on this position. I have had a lot of fun over the past two months meeting the studio members and learning the flow of the studio. I’m eager to find ways to improve the overall efficiency of the studio and make sure people are satisfied with the work they get back.”
As the Mill’s Program Director, I look forward to seeing how Sean’s vibrant energy will shape the culture of our ceramic studio and beyond. His talents and passion will undoubtedly inspire exciting new possibilities for our community.
A deep mahalo nui loa to Hiroki and Setsuko Morinoue, Patricia Vondrak, Tomoko Nakazato, Jake Boggs, and all the Ceramic Studio participants, Teaching Artists and our ceramics community who supported the Mill during this transition with their expertise and patience.
Me ke ha’aha’a (with humility),
Miho Morinoue, on behalf of the Mill Ohana