Work In Progress Art Studio, LLC

Hi, I’m Teresa Pennington — artist, educator, cat enthusiast, and proud studio founder.

My journey with clay started back in 1998 at Lisbon High School, continued through a BFA at the University of Southern Maine (class of 2015), and deepened during my years teaching mixed-level pottery at Portland Pottery from 2017 to 2023. Over time, I’ve become fascinated not just with making objects, but with the entire process — from squishy beginnings to firing alchemy.

I love clay for what it is: responsive, alive, always changing. It’s malleable, messy, and full of potential. There’s something radical about how it transforms in the kiln — how glaze and heat work together to create results you can’t always predict. Clay is both ancient and new; everything’s been done before, yet there’s always room to say something new with your hands.

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About the Studio

Our logo draws from the Fibonacci sequence — also known as the golden ratio, or the rule of thirds — a visual representation of natural balance and order. It’s a nod to balance, beauty, and nature’s quiet order — things we aim for in our work, even if we never quite arrive. And it’s no accident that one of our logo colors is Viva Magenta, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023. Like the studio itself, it’s vibrant and fearless — rooted in nature, yet expressive of something new. It’s a color that invites curiosity, celebrates individuality, and pulses with life. We embrace its exuberance as a symbol of strength, joy, and the boundless spirit of creative experimentation.

We’re dreaming big for the future: atmospheric firings, expanding into other mediums, and diving deeper into the science behind glaze formulation (because yes — nerding out over glaze chemistry is 100% encouraged here). We believe in flux. Art isn’t static; neither are artists. We’re all works in progress, and that’s something to celebrate.

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What We’re About

This studio was built as a place to explore, make, and connect — a little sanctuary tucked into a noisy world. Community is the heart of everything here. Whether you’re just starting or returning to clay after years away, this is a space where you can show up as yourself. When students walk out the door, I hope they leave with more than just a finished piece. I want them to feel proud — not just of what they made, but of what they learned. I want them to ask, what if? To feel part of something bigger than themselves. To know that creativity and community go hand in hand.

We welcome everyone — and we mean everyone. If you’re curious, kind, and open to learning, you belong here. Whether you’re here for a class, a studio membership, or just to get your hands muddy and your mind quiet: welcome. You’ve found the right place.

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Are you already a potter and you’re looking for a place to fire your work? Or are you looking for a place that you can work on your projects without a membership or class commitment? We have options for you.

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Explore Lisbon, ME

The town of Lisbon, Maine where our studio is located has much to share. We also recommend checking out nearby Lisbon Falls, Maine which is a very short few minutes up the road from our studio. We love our little town and we hope that you’ll spend some time at all of the businesses nearby. Some of the places that we recommend checking out follow.