I’m Melissa Ordway, a dedicated ceramic artist with over 15 years of experience working with clay. My journey began right after high school when I took my first ceramics class at Mesa Community College. I immediately fell in love with the medium, and over the years, I’ve continued to expand my knowledge through courses at various institutions, including the San Diego Community College District and San Diego State University, where I honed my expertise, particularly in glaze techniques.

In 2012, I met fellow ceramic artist Jessica during a ceramics course at Mesa College. We quickly bonded over our shared passion for clay and art, and what started as a classroom connection soon grew into a strong and lasting friendship. For years, we pursued our individual ceramic practices while maintaining our professional careers. Then, in 2021, Jessica invited me to share a studio space in her new home, which had a detached garage. This was the beginning of our collaborative journey, where we nurtured our creativity and refined our craft together.

During this time, I also worked at Free Form Clay and Supply in National City, San Diego. My experience there was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the ceramic industry. Not only did I gain technical knowledge, but I also learned about the business side of ceramics, from sourcing materials to maintaining equipment and staying on top of industry trends. The connections I built with fellow artists and suppliers during my time at Free Form were essential in helping establish our studio.

In 2023, Jessica and I turned our dream into reality by opening Shape Theory Studio. Located in the vibrant Midway District, right across from Old Town San Diego, Shape Theory is a place where creativity, community, and the love of ceramics come together. With a range of equipment and a commitment to teaching, Jessica and I are dedicated to sharing our passion for pottery with as many people as possible.

My creative journey began in the world of two-dimensional art with drawing and painting. But everything changed when I moved to San Diego in 2012 and enrolled as an art major at Mesa College. I took my first ceramics class and it was love at first touch. Clay's tactile nature and endless possibilities completely captivated me, and I knew I had found my medium.

Determined to dive deeper into the world of ceramics, I transferred to San Diego State University in 2015 as an Applied Design major with an emphasis in ceramics. Once I got my hands on clay, I was hooked. There were so many techniques, styles, materials, and glazes to explore that I quickly became the "first in, last out" student—the one eagerly waiting for the professor to unlock the door in the morning and reluctantly leaving at night. All I wanted to do was create, experiment, and learn.

During the summers of 2016 and 2017, I worked as the Ceramics Assistant for the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program. For 10 weeks each summer, I immersed myself in the studio, prepping classrooms, mixing glazes, loading and firing kilns, assisting artists, and even helping teach high school and junior artist programs. This hands-on experience deepened my love for ceramics and fueled my desire to continue learning and growing.

In 2017, I was honored to be San Diego State's Windgate Fellowship Nominee, recognized for my work that exemplified craft processes, materials, and traditions.

That same year, I won the President’s Award at the SDSU Research Symposium for my original research on "Replication and Research of 18th Century Puebla Pottery." Out of nearly 500 students across various disciplines, only 10 received the President’s Award, making it a significant achievement. I also took first place in the Creative Arts and Design category at the 2017 California State University Student Research Competition, where I presented my research on a state-wide stage.

After graduating in 2017, I continued to hone my craft as a volunteer studio technician at SDSU for two years, trading my time and skills for access to workspace and studio resources. When the volunteer program ended, I faced the harsh reality that many artists do: the difficulty of continuing to create without the support and resources of a dedicated studio. For a time, my practice was on hold as I navigated the challenges of working out of a small apartment with limited equipment.

In April 2021, I finally found a space to call my own—a one-car garage that became my home studio. I teamed up with Melissa, and together, we transformed that tiny garage into a creative haven. Over the next 3.5 years, we worked side-by-side, teaching lessons and hosting mini-workshops for friends and family. It was this experience that laid the foundation for Shape Theory Studio, where I now share my love of ceramics with the community.