About us

Welcome to Inferno Clay Studio NFP! We are a women-owned 501(c)(3) dedicated to the longevity and accessibility of the ceramic arts and the success of individual ceramic artists in Rockford, Illinois.

Alyssa Noonen and Emily Rangel-Cascio founded this studio in April 2024 with the goal of being solely focused on growing and expanding the ceramics community in their hometown. Their main goal is to work in unison with the other clay studios in the region to expand the post-educational programs for students looking to grow their clay experience. The purpose of Inferno is to fill in the gaps of what ceramic artists in the area are needing and desiring in a fresh, new studio.

Inferno will be providing a fully functional studio space for resident artists and offering mentorships for committed artists and workshops for community members. We will be offering a kilnshare program for other local ceramic artists and a gallery space for artists all over to show and sell their work.

We are working diligently to find a space that suits our needs! Workshops coming soon!

Our Inspiration

This idea of a space designed solely for ceramics artists is not new. Clay, as a material, has specific needs in equipment, space, and knowledge. It is difficult to include ceramics as a part of a larger maker’s space because of these needs. Kilns require particular maintenance and, sometimes expensive, electrical upgrades. Clay can destroy and clog plumbing if not carefully controlled. Glaze formulation can be dangerous to individuals or the environment without certain precautions. It may seem easy to think of clay as just playing with mud but when we engage this material, we are in conversation with contemporary ceramic artists, nearly all human history, all cultures and Nature. Inferno is a direct response to the need for serious but non-academic ceramic studios in the Rockford area. Here are some examples of what Inferno hopes to bring to our city because Rockford deserves a place for artists to succeed.

Look to the Residency Programs, galleries, and community workshops already in existence.

Northern Clay Center- Minneapolis, MN

https://northernclaycenter.org/

Odyssey ClayWorks- Asheville, NC

https://www.odysseyclayworks.com/

Lillstreet Art Center- Chicago, IL

https://lillstreet.com/

The Digs- Chicago, IL

https://www.thedigschicago.com/

Belger Arts Center- Kansas City, MO

https://belgerarts.org/

Penland School of Craft- Spruce Pine, NC