The Team
Explore our diverse team of skilled potters and artisans shaping the world of ceramics with unique designs and eco-friendly methods.
Augie Echeandia
Founder
After a fulfilling 25-year career as a software engineer, I discovered my passion for pottery at a raku event hosted by a friend. Seeking a creative outlet during a challenging time in my life, I began taking classes and was instantly hooked. My journey with clay continued as I relocated from Virginia to Kansas City.
Driven by a desire to create a welcoming and inspiring space for fellow clay enthusiasts, I founded House of Clay. My own learning journey has been enriched by workshops with renowned ceramic artists such as Simon Leach and Julie and Harry Hearne, and I’m eager to share my passion and knowledge with the Kansas City community.
Eric Schoenberg
Instructor
Eric Schoenberg, alias Doc Frog, is a community-trained hobbyist potter. He discovered clay in 1999, and has since explored several aspects of making and firing, including American Raku. Prior to moving to Leawood he served as an instructor in this firing technique at a community art school in metro Atlanta.
Angela Rangel
Instructor
Angela Rangel was born & raised in Wichita, KS where her affinity for the arts blossomed. She pursued these artistic interests & earned a BFA in ceramics from Wichita State University in 2019. Throughout her career in ceramics, she has had the privilege to spend time learning at arts institutions such as: Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Northern Clay Center & Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. In 2021, she made the move to Kansas City, MO and has since intertwined herself with the local arts scene. Currently, Rangel is a teaching artist at the Ford Learning Center located inside of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art & continues her ceramics practice at Cherry Pit Collective, a local artist studio dedicated to uplifting woman & non-binary artists. In her free time, she enjoys spending cozy evenings at home with her two kitties, searching for treasures at secondhand shops or picnicking at Loose Park.
Loralai Kruid
Studio Technician
Loralai Kruid is a student artist pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Studio Arts, set to graduate in May 2025. With a focus in ceramics since 2023, Loralai’s goal is to create functional and beautiful pieces that make art affordable and accessible to all. She is passionate about combining artistic expression with practicality, with a strong belief that art should be affordable and accessible to all.