Who We Are
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Simon Levin (he/him), Founder & Director
Simon, a potter and educator living in Pawnee, Illinois, has more than 30 years' experience working in clay and building community along the way.
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Ann Marie Cooper (she/her), Manager
Ann Marie, a potter and gallerist living in Bellingham, Washington, has more than 20 years’ experience working with artists in the gallery sector, and nearly 15 years as one herself.
How it Began
“In the midst of the 2020 pandemic and the rise of online learning, I was thinking of how learning needs space and time. Those two things were defining elements of our current existence. We also needed hope, and a way to look forward. I envisioned the intensity of the two-week workshops I have taught before, exploded across an entire year.
What would happen if I met with each student individually every two weeks? How many more iterations and making cycles could we go through if we were not in a hurry? What would happen to that growth as an artist if ideas and skills had consistent time and feedback?
We also need community; we learn as much from our peers as from our teachers. Some of my best classes have been so because the students lifted, challenged, and drove the class. Thus, the idea of grouping my students into a cohort that meets every month together virtually, and one week out of the year we all bond in person.”
—Simon Levin
Who it’s For
Cohorts.Art is not for everyone. It is for the intrinsically motivated artist who has reliable studio access and is looking to:
* Make Better Work * Expand Sales * Develop Ideas * Learn from Experienced Artists *
“I remember teaching at Penland, and someone was saying that rather than go to grad-school they would spend the money on a whole bunch of fantastic workshops. It’s a lovely idea but it omits the potency of having a teacher that knows you, that holds you accountable, that is on your side, that sees your work develop over time. Cohorts.Art is designed to do that; the frequency and duration of the classes allow for rapport and iteration. The remote learning saves on cost, and the in-person workshop cements relationships and imparts techniques.” —S.L.
How it Continues
Our management team: Manager, Ann Marie Cooper & Director, Simon Levin
Keep expanding!
The inaugural year of Clay Cohorts proved so rewarding to both students and mentor, that we expanded in 2022, with additional mentors, Lisa Orr and Liz Lurie, and a manager, Ann Marie Cooper.
2022 was so wonderful that we brought on 2 more mentors for 2023, and in 2024 we’re adding even MORE mentors!
We’ve also created an extension program for Alumni: Cohorts Continuum! We love our growing community so much. We want to maintain these relationships, while helping our students continue to bond and develop their artistic practices.
We have changed our name to Cohorts.Art, with the intention of adding mentors who specialize in other art disciplines.
How it Works
1 Year | 24 One-on-One Meetings with Your Teacher | 12 Class Meetings |1 Weeklong In-Person Workshop | 1 Gallery Exhibition
Over the course of the year, each teacher will meet via Zoom with their students individually twice a month, and once a month as a cohort of 5, to move the conversation, ideas and the work to the next level.
During the year, the cohorts will come together at the studio of their teaching artist for a weeklong hands-on workshop, and then conclude with an all-cohorts gallery exhibition at Good Earth Pottery.
What it Costs
$320 per month for 12 months,
payable through recurring automatic payments.