Distributor Spotlight: Hawaii Ceramic Supply
When it comes to keeping clay alive in classrooms, distributors can play a powerful role.
For Susan Hanes, potter and owner of Hawaii Ceramic Supply, that role is also personal. Susan first fell in love with clay as a child, shaping a small ceramic dolphin that sparked a lifelong fascination. Years later, she created Hawaii Ceramic Supply out of a desire to give artists and teachers on the islands something she once struggled to find herself: a welcoming place to buy supplies, ask questions, and connect with a community that loves ceramics.
Building Teacher Connections
Through close collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Education’s Fine Arts Department, Hawaii Ceramic Supply reaches teachers across public schools, private schools, and enrichment programs. Word of mouth has become just as important—teachers refer other teachers, creating a growing network of support and shared enthusiasm for ceramics education.
“My goal has always been to create a place where artists and teachers of all levels can learn, share, and feel supported,” Susan says. “Art doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.”
Under Susan’s leadership and with the help of Head Instructor Ryan Schulz, Hawaii Ceramic Supply has taught a series of Professional Development classes through the Department of Education’s Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, and the team is now developing a credited professional development course for teachers.
“We’re really proud that we are helping connect teachers from preschool through high school through clay,” Susan explains. “It’s wonderful to see them together enjoying and becoming excited about ceramics again!”
Educators often turn to Hawaii Ceramic Supply for practical resources—guidance on curriculum development, understanding different types of clay, and learning how to fire correctly. By offering this hands-on, technical knowledge, Susan and her team ensure that teachers feel prepared to pass their skills on to students.
Susan Hanes, founder of Hawaii Ceramic Supply, turned a childhood love of clay into a thriving hub for artists and educators across the islands.
Ongoing Support for Teachers
Beyond formal classes, Hawaii Ceramic Supply offers small group workshops for teachers throughout the year and even hosts occasional free workshops on Instagram—a way to reach more educators with flexible, accessible learning opportunities.
By bringing teachers together, providing resources, and creating meaningful learning experiences, Hawaii Ceramic Supply strengthens the ceramics community across Hawaii. Guided by Susan Hanes’ passion and mission, the distributor has become far more than a supply shop—it’s a hub of connection, inspiration, and support for educators who are shaping the next generation of ceramic artists.
The impact of these efforts shows in the feedback. One teacher emailed after attending several workshops to say the sessions were “incredibly inspiring and energizing” and thanked the team for “creating such a meaningful experience.” For Susan, it’s these moments that highlight the true magic of clay.
Teachers got hands-on with kiln know-how in an All About Kilns Workshop, led by Ryan Schulz.
