About Us

A place to make, learn, create and connect.

A message from our founder, Johil:

“‘In a world where we are constantly consuming information, scrolling, and being pulled toward our screens, making something with your own hands is an act of rebellion.’

I heard Amie McNee say this in a Ted Talk over a year ago, and it really stuck with me. So when I saw this space open up in the center of town, I couldn’t get the idea of an art studio out of my head.

I started Rebel Studio because I wanted a place where people could come together to make things with their hands, learn new skills, and spend time doing something they enjoy!”

Rebel Team

  • Johil Ross - Founder

    Johil has had a career rooted in textiles, bedding design and weaving. Over the past few years, she fell in love with pottery and the physicality of working with clay.

    Working with your hands offers a uniquely effective way to regulate the nervous system. The rhythmic, sensory process of shaping clay acts as a natural mental reset, pulling focus away from daily stress and anchoring you in the present moment.

    She is excited t0 build this space into a bustling creative community, and eager to welcome local artists into the space to share their distinct skills and passion through hands-on classes and creative workshops.

  • Carly Shanks - Pottery

    A ceramic artist based in Croton on Hudson, Carly has been hooked on pottery ever since her first pinch pot in elementary school. Her work reflects her love of plants, as she is often inspired by the intricate details of the complex beauty found in nature. She incorporates these natural elements into her pottery using surface design techniques like painting, sgraffito, Mishima, carving, water etching, and imprinting. Carly makes functional art that she hopes will add joy and excitement to every day life.

    https://www.onionfarmceramics.com

  • Kara Wilson - Printmaking

    Kara is a locally based artist and graphic designer specializing in printmaking. Her work explores abstracted portraits and landscapes through deconstructed geometric forms. Fascinated by the innate rhythms of nature, she examines how these patterns and movements influence us.

    The process of printmaking inherently mirrors the act of following a rhythm or sequence, while allowing space for personal expression, variation, and interpretation. This art form brings Kara enormous satisfaction and joy—a respite from the haste and automation of a career spent behind a keyboard. The act of hand printing captures a slower pace of life, filled with reflection and surprise. Sharing this unhurried, more tactile way of making—and giving others the opportunity to explore, experiment, and discover along the way—has been a long-time dream.

    Kara holds a BS in Studio Art and Art Education from Skidmore College. Her artwork has been featured in regional exhibitions, including at KinoSaito, as well as in art fairs such as The Other Art Fair.

  • Renee Curci Ivanoff - Ceramics

    Renee Curci Ivanoff has been a potter for over 20 years, with a love of the process of working on the wheel and hand building. Influenced by the world that surrounds us, Renee creates functional pieces that fit into the modern home, with an eye for items made for the tablescape. Renee currently teaches clay at the Garrison Art Center, focusing on wheel throwing and hand building for both kids and adults. At Garrison Art Center,  Renee created a space for Family Clay and Teen Clay, fulfilling a gap in the community by sharing this ancient art form with all ages.

    Instagram: rcipottery