Meet the Owner

 

Short Bio:

Maria Hernandez is a Dallas-area ceramic artist and educator with over seven years of professional experience in the craft. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics from Angelo State University and has worked across production studios and community education settings throughout her career. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows across Texas.

Her current body of work explores the tension between logic and emotion, expressed through precisely carved grids and the expressive use of colored clay.

Her classes are designed with the beginner in mind — offering a structured, encouraging environment where students build strong foundational skills and leave feeling confident and equipped to create new work on their own.

In 2026, she plans to solidify her designs so that her products can be stocked in stores and galleries.

 
 

Portfolios

Production Potter

A collection of my production work at Sunflower Ceramic Studio

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Studio Potter

A collection of unique pieces made at Sunflower Ceramic Studio

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Ceramic Artist

A portfolio of artwork I have made at Sunflower Ceramic Studio

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Curriculum Vitae

  • 2023 Instructor, Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Houston, Texas

    2022 Studio Assistant, Third Coast Clay, Houston, Texas

    2022 Apprenticeship at Clay Matters with Lotus Bermudez, Houston, Texas

    2021-2022 Studio Assistant, Moonshine Design and Ceramics, Houston, Texas

    2019-present Owner, Sunflower Ceramic Studio, Houston, Texas

    2017 Internship at Chicken Farm Art Center with Roger Allen, San Angelo, Texas

  • 2017 Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art with Ceramics Concentration, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

    2012-2013 Honors Program, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

  • 2023 Clear Horizon Early College High School, Mentor

    2022 ClayHouston Board Member, Membership Chair

    2020-2021 ClayHouston Board Member, Secretary

    2019 ClayHouston Committee Member, Exhibits Committee

    2012-2013 Meals for the Elderly Student Board Member, San Angelo, Texas

  • 2023 Group Exhibition, Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit, Santa Fe Depot, Brownwood, Texas (Juror: Carol Fairlie)

    2022 Group Exhibition, ClayHouston’s Juried Show “Equation of State”, Rec Room Arts, Houston, Texas (Juror: Cydney Pickens)

    2020 Group Exhibition, “Form, Function, Decor: Bridging the Distance”, online, Houston, Texas

    2017 Group Exhibition, Midland Arts Association 40th Annual Fall Juried Art Exhibition, McCormick Gallery, Midland College, Midland, Texas (Juror: Chad Plunkett)

    2017 Group Exhibition, Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit, Santa Fe Depot, Brownwood, Texas (Juror: Ben Sum)

    2016 Group Exhibition, Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibition, Santa Fe Depot, Brownwood, Texas (Juror: Warren Taylor)

  • 2022-present Visual Arts Alliance, Houston, Texas

    2019-present ClayHouston, Houston, Texas

    2016 Vice President, Kappa Pi International Honors Art Association, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

    2015-2016 President, Friday Art Club, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

    2015 San Angelo Art Club, San Angelo, Texas

    2015 Midland Arts Association, Midland, Texas

  • Volunteering:

    2019 ClayHouston Information Booth, First Saturday Arts Market, Houston, Texas

    2015 Fright Fest, San Angelo Nature Center, San Angelo, Texas

    2015 En Plein Air Artist Reception, Fort Concho, San Angelo, Texas

    Grants/Awards:

    2017-2018 J/M Edmunds Scholorship

    2015-2016 Friends of Art and Music Education Scholarship

    2012-2013 Honors Program Scholorship

    Curatorial Projects:

    2019 ClayHouston Membership Exhibition: Dimensional, co-curated with Laura Sprague, Sabine Street Studios, Houston, Texas

    2017 Hidden Narratives: Graduating Senior Exhibit, Gallery 193, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

    2015 Art and Cookies Exhibit, co-curated with Kat Truth, The Coop Gallery, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas

    Commissions:

    2015 Public Art Commission, School Spirit, large scale mural, San Angelo, Texas

    Bibliography:

    2015 Pre-Juried Publication, The Oasis, Flower 1, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

    Collaborative Projects:

    2015 Blue Scroll, The Coop Gallery, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas (in collaboration with Friday Art Club)