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About Us > Our Staff
Our Staff
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Kevin Xiem Nguyen, Founder
Kevin received his BS in Industrial Design from Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. He worked on staff for two leading design consultancies - Hauser Inc., and Designworks/USA, a subsidiary of BMW. In addition to his work in ceramics, Kevin has been recognized with various national awards for product design. In 2002, he worked as a teaching assistant in the Ceramic Department of Santa Monica College. Kevin has exhibited his work in galleries and shows all over the state of California. |
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Suzette Munnik, Education Director
Suzette received her undergraduate qualification in Ceramic Art and Design from the Johannesburg School of Art in 1970 followed by National Higher Diplomas in Ceramics (1981) and Tertiary Education (1983) from Technikon Witwatersrand. She held various academic positions in South Africa from 1977 to 2003 at the Technikon Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the University of Natal and the University of Cape Town. She was Program Leader in Ceramic Design, Department of Product Design at the Technikon Witwatersrand from 2001 to 2003 and Head of Department and Associate Director in Ceramic Design, School of Art and Design from 1986 to 1989. Her experience in course design and teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level is extensive. Suzette has published and lectured on the subject of ceramics history, and has designed and conducted ceramic study tours to China, Africa and the United Kingdom; her works are found in both public and private collections. Suzette joined Xiem™ in August 2004 and is responsible for all education programs at the Center. |
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Junzo Mori, Studio Technician
Junzo received his undergraduate degree from USC. A native of Japan, Junzo is an active potter and participates in shows throughout LA. Junzo joined Xiem™ in late 2003 as a member and shortly afterwards took on the responsibility of studio technician. With years of firing experience and with the sensitivity and care of an artist, Junzo mixes all the studio glazes and obtains consistently good firing results . Junzo is a teaching assistant to Suzette Munnik in the for-credit ceramics program Xiem™ provides for Occidental College. |
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Steph Walther, Administration
Having attended art schools both prestigious and plain in the 50's and 60's, Steph knew she always wanted to be involved in creating art. At UC Irvine, she studied under renowned painter Ed Moses before dropping out - twice - to protest the Vietnam war in particular and the establishment in general. After 35 years of working for the establishment - in business and accounting - Steph found her way to Xiem™ Clay Center, where she happily finds herself surrounded by art and artists, and where she occasionally plays with clay. |
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