STAFF PROFILE
Meet Todd Pletcher
Director of Studio Operations + Facilities
If you have seen a sweet and friendly black haired dog walking around the Studio lately, that would be Nolan, and Nolan’s human is Todd Pletcher. We hired Todd in September, right before we opened the new Studio to fill the new position of Director of Studio Operations and Facilities. Todd is an experienced potter who also brings years of experience as an operations and facilities director to TPS.
Todd was raised in an Indiana Mennonite family, and that was where his love for ceramics was born. Todd says he became an accidental potter when, instead of trying out for football as his father wanted, he became the workshop assistant for his high school art teacher. After high school, Todd attended college in Goshen, Indiana, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Ceramics. Todd remained in Goshen after he graduated and became a studio artist operating Pletcher Pottery, a very successful business focusing on wood-fired work, freelance production wheel work, and cone 5 oxidation. Todd admits he loves atmospheric firing, and during the seven years he lived in Goshen, he built a wood fire kiln and taught numerous wood firing workshops not only in Goshen but also at Arrowmont in Tennessee and Penland School of Art and Craft in Asheville, North Carolina. While pursuing his interest in atmospheric firing, Todd supported himself through his very successful Etsy store selling his popular wheel thrown yarn bowls.
Todd lived in Australia for a little over a year and continued to perfect his craft while conducting various workshops in the States. When he returned to the States in 2018, he decided to relocate to the Bay Area because that is where his older brother was living and raising his family. Todd joined San Francisco’s Clay by the Bay, where he began as a teacher and firing production manager and eventually becoming a lead instructor and the facilities manager. During his seven (7) years at Clay by the Bay, Todd wore many hats. He was a lead instructor responsible for establishing the curriculum, and he personally taught six to eight classes per week, ranging from beginner to advanced wheel and hand building. He was responsible for overseeing the studio firing process; managing inventory, supervising the staff; maintaining studio equipment and purchasing materials. Todd was a critical component of Clay by the Bay, but after seven years of contributing to a for-profit entity, he took a sabbatical and discovered he was more interested in sharing his skills, knowledge and experience with a non-profit entity. As his sabbatical was coming to a close, Todd realized this was the best time to make a change from the for-profit world to the non-profit world. Todd realized his goals and objectives are closely aligned with TPS, and he decided he specifically wanted to share his knowledge and experience with TPS.
Todd hit the ground running during the first week of September and while he was still on sabbatical from Clay by Bay, he immediately jumped in and volunteered his time to help get the Studio ready for classes and the open house. Todd is not only excited to join the TPS community, but he is also excited about the potential our new space provides for programing, activities and developing a strong creative environment and he has many ideas he is eager to share. Todd is also delighted to be on this side of the Bay because he and Nolan can spend more time with his family, especially his niece and nephew. If you can, take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome Todd to TPS, he is really a delight and has many fascinating stories about growing up as a Mennonite and developing his ceramics business while traveling all around the world. Todd and Nolan will be amazing assets to our community, so please join me in giving them both a hearty welcome.
