About Us
Board Members
President: Amedeo Salamoni
Vice President: Phil Kreider
Treasurer: Laura Raineri
Secretary: Andrea Campbell
Members: Susan Burlingame, Tim Compton, Peggy Good, Mychal LaVia, Sue Tucker
Our Vision:
Cultivating creativity to encourage problem-solving, connection, and transformation for a happy, healthy community.
Mission Statement:
Provide opportunities to explore and experience the arts while providing the community a creative, collaborative space.
Lancaster Creative Factory is a Nonprofit 501(c)3 Organization.
Kevin Lehman: Founder & Director
Kevin Lehman is a multi-media artist that earned his Master of Fine Art degree from the University of the Arts and his undergraduate degree from Millersville University. He is extremely engaged in the regional art community establishing a multi-media community art center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Kevin is also the founder of the Lancaster Creative Factory, which is dedicated to cultivating creativity through education of the visual arts and crafts.
He teaches at Cecil College as well as lecturing and demonstrating at workshops throughout the area. He has received several grants and awards for his work. Kevin has exhibited regionally at institutions such as: East Stroudsburg University, Elizabethtown College, and Millersville University.
Smart Talk 5/1/14 C: Kevin Lehman, ArtSmart
Contact Kevin:
717-419-7836 | admin@lancastercreativefactory.org
Joanna Spicer: Program Administrator
Joanna Spicer earned a BFA, emphasis in Textile Design, from Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia. She taught art for 2 decades at the elementary & middle school levels and currently teaches at different age levels and in many diverse settings.
In addition to working at LCF, Joanna teaches at Lancaster County Senior Centers, online painting classes through the Lancaster Office of Aging, and classes through the Center for Creative Exploration at PCA&D.
Joanna instructs & organizes Paint Events for fundraising efforts for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. She has worked on independent and community mural projects and is always looking for the next opportunity to collaborate on local community projects.
As an instructor, Joanna’s goal is to provide knowledge, encouragement, and individual success at each artist’s level, while fostering a sense of collaboration and community in a
fun and positive way.
Contact Joanna | admin@lancastercreativefactory.org
Salvatore Annunziato: Wood Kiln Director
Salvatore Annunziato draws from tradition to inform his sculptural and functional work. His art practice has developed around a lasting curiosity about the traces left on pots which can tell important stories about how and why they have passed from material, to hands, to fire. Learning to read these marks and ask questions throughout the making process has led Sal to continuous experimentation in form, glaze and clay composition, firing style, and kiln building.
In his own work as well as in his classes, Sal invites conversation and creativity to arise through alternative approaches and a fundamental dedication. Sal has over a decade of experience working with fire.
Contact Sal: | woodkiln@lancastercreativefactory.org
Carlo Jury: Lead Instructor & Kiln Manager
Carlo Jury was born and raised in Lancaster County; where he has attained a tremendous sense of community that we all share in Lancaster. As a local artist, he values and wants to expand our sense of community even further through his work.
Until recently, he was a Fine Arts painter. From childhood to his junior year in college, he primarily painted from direct observations. Carlo's first experience with clay happened during his first semester at Millersville University, in 2006. It was only one day on the potter’s wheel when Carlo knew that he must stay with the clay.
During his senior year he trained himself through extensive practice, many hours a day for five months, trying to master the craft, and in doing so, he has never looked back.
After graduation, Carlo continued to practice his craft at Kevin Lehman’s Pottery; LCF, where he currently has a full-time studio space and teaches ceramic classes. As for where Carlo is going next; he plans to earn a Master’s degree in Art Education.
"Being part of the process in which clay goes through, has changed my perspective on life and provoked an instantaneous dialogue that I interact with every day."
Contact Carlo: | carlojuryceramics@gmail.com
Instructors
Alfredo Carlson
Alfredo Carlson was born in Haiti and was adopted at age ten by a New England family. He started painting and drawing at a young age, and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree at Lyme Academy of Fine Art. Alfredo then earned a Master's degree of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware, where he also taught sculpture and painting to undergraduate students as part of his program.
He is currently a professional artist, working as a Sculptor and a Live Event Painter. Additionally, Alfredo instructs hand building at Lancaster Creative Factory.
Skyler Cook
Skyler Cook is a multimedia artist with a main focus in ceramic practice making functional and nonfunctional sculpture. In addition, he creates art through printmaking, fiber arts, painting, and photography. Skyler’s entire career in education has been focused on growing as an artist from various professionals in the field. He teaches at Lancaster Creative Factory and in the public sector at Scott Elementary School. Skyler attended Maryland Institute College of Art for 2 years and then transferred to Millersville University, earning his BA. He plans to continue his education at Millersville to complete his Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Skyler strives to be a life-long learner and educator, in tandem with his journey as a professional artist.
Brooke Pikolas
Brooke Pikolas is a self-taught artist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Sociology. She has over 25 years of experience creating acrylic paintings inspired by the beauty of nature, insects, and animals. Drawing from her educational background, Brooke brings a deep appreciation for human connection and personal growth into her art and teaching. Her creative journey is rooted in curiosity, and she loves exploring a variety of mediums-from canvas to wood and seashells; always seeking new ways to express the world around her.
For the past decade, Brooke has shared her passion for art through teaching in diverse settings. She believes everyone has an inner artist, and one of her greatest joys is helping others discover their unique creative voices. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, Brooke is here to guide and encourage you as you learn, experiment, and grow in your artistic practice.
James Reilly
James Reilly is a recent graduate from Millersville University with a BA in ceramics. He spends time experimenting with glazes and working on the wheel. His current exploration is working with crystal glazes which he has incorporated into a class at LCF. James also likes to explore nature to find natural clay sources which he uses to create vessels.
James creates a relaxed and fun atmostphere in his classes so that people can improve their own skill sets in a creative way.
Lauren Terry
Lauren Terry is a New Jersey native who studied at University of the Arts. For the past 3 years, Lauren instructed art in many mediums to a range of ages from preschool to adult! She especially enjoys painting, drawing, and ceramics. Lauren's art is the way she communicates with the world without needing to say anything, and to which she brings a whimsical quality. Her passion for teaching is to help individuals grow in their own imaginations, and skill sets while expanding their experience utilizing new materials and finding their passion in art.
Lauren aspires to, "bring out the inner artist in those who say they aren't artists".
Lauren teaches youth and adult classes at LCF, and also teaches classes at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
Bailey Troop
Bailey Troop graduated from Millersville University with a BSE in Art Education. He enjoys making functional work and learning new processes. Bailey continues to learn with people he works with, and alongside his students as he teaches! Bailey has been teaching at LCF since 2023. He also carries his skills over to Columbia Creative Factory to teach wheel classes.
Teaching Artists
2025 Summer Artist in Residence: Will Strauss
Will Strauss is a BFA student focusing on ceramics at Tyler School of Art; Temple University. He is a Lancaster County native who comes from an artistic family. Will found his passion in ceramics, stating that the visual and technical diversity of ceramics is what really draws him to the art form.
Additionally, Will is interested in glass and has recently been experimenting with ways of combining the two art forms. He has also become increasingly intrigued with atmospheric firing processes, and the unique and unpredictable effects they can have. This makes him feel more connected with early ceramic traditions, from which he draws inspiration for his work.
To date, Will’s work has mostly consisted of thrown forms combined with hand building and sculpture. He is interested in how the viewer interacts with a piece, and how those interactions inform and change the piece.
Will interned with LCF last summer and is happy to be back as Artist in Residence this year!
2025 Summer Artist in Residence: Jasmine Thompson
Jasmine is currently a student at Kutztown University, entering her senior year this fall. She in in pursuit of a BFA with a concentration in ceramics. Jasmine works in various mediums, including ceramics, wood, cement, and metal. She also enjoys drawing and painting. Jasmine's ceramic sculptures are inspired by nature and mythology. She is excited by the opportunity to teach, and expand her creative practice at LCF this summer!
Kathleen Forney
Kathleen Forney is a fused glass artist based in Elizabethtown, PA. She has been creating designs in glass for years and finds the medium to be unique and versatile. She is also drawn to its ability to interact with light and its potential for both delicate and powerful forms. Prior to glass Kathleen worked with various mediums, including; mosaics, enamels, acrylics, watercolor, mixed media, and clay. She has had the privilege to teach hundreds of enthusiastic students the art of glass design. As a teacher she finds it rewarding to watch students create “their masterpiece”. Kathleen’s students’ range in age from 8 years to late adulthood. They often view glass as a challenging and rewarding medium that allows for a wide range of artistic expression, from delicate to large-scale designs. Her classes have been held at Willow Valley, The Lancaster Museum Art, the PA Guild of Craftsmen, and other local studios. Kathleen strives to make her classes engaging, rewarding and fun for all students!
Mychal LaVia
Mychal LaVia graduated from Pennsylvania School of the Arts in 1987. He is currently running and teaching workshops at the Columbia Creative Factory. Mychal also volunteers for the Lancaster Creative Factory and teaches workshops at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
The mediums he enjoys are pottery, painting, and glass blowing. The Columbia Creative Factory is an affiliate of LCF and strives to strengthen connections within the community by building personal and social relationships through shared arts experiences. Mychal enhances these efforts through his dedication, enthusiasm, and teaching.
"We use the creative process to promote self-expression and develop unique problem solving skills."
Carol Harnish
Carol Harnish is a Lancaster native. She attended York Academy of Art, and the Fine Arts program at Millersville University. Her achievements include, solo and group art shows in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. She was awarded residencies at Henry Street Settlement in NYC and Millay Colony. Upon her return to the Lancaster area in the early 1990s, Carol became involved in several art events sponsored by New Art Voices. Carol, with support from the Lancaster and Columbia Creative Factories, currently offers arts programming at the Lancaster Youth Intervention Center. She lives with her husband in Washington Boro, along the banks of the Susquehanna River.
Amy Holland
Amy Holland is a potter and art educator who has been teaching for 20+ years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Penn State University and later pursued Art Therapy at Marywood University.
Amy's interest in ceramics and passion for teaching led her to The Shelburne Craft School in Vermont, where she furthered her studies and later led their youth programs. Moving home to Pennsylvania brought her to teach ceramics at Lancaster Museum of Art and ultimately to Lancaster Creative Factory.
Amy creates and teaches ceramics in her Lititz studio where she lives with her husband, 2 children, and dog.
