About Us

Founded by Dean Millsom in 2019, The Wheelhouse began in a boutique studio, with a vision of nurturing creativity and skill development through clay artistry. Since then, we have endeavoured to enrich our students' artistic growth.

In 2022, we transitioned into a breathtaking new creative space, doubling our capacity for classes and welcoming a team of highly skilled artisans. Our expanded studio spans two levels, offering ample room for creation and exploration. Additionally, we now boast a dedicated function space to accommodate the rising demand for group and corporate events.

In early 2024, we proudly introduced a new chapter to The Wheelhouse journey by launching our own range of Wheelhouse glazes, meticulously crafted in our South Melbourne Studio. This exciting endeavour coincided with the debut of our online store, further expanding accessibility to our products and services.

Our commitment to sustainability remains unwavering. For instance, we've implemented a clay and water recycling system, ensuring all materials are reused and minimising our environmental footprint.

Unwind, and experience the art of making!

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Meet the team.

Dean Millsom

FOUNDER & CREATIVE LEAD
Dean has over 25 years experience in ceramics and education. He has featured in Belle magazine and his work can be found in restaurants including Melbourne's modern dining destinations, Society, Oster Richmond, Henrietta’s Windsor & Domaine Chandon Yarra Valley.
Dean has a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in ceramics from RMIT. This is where he truly developed his keen eye and passion for glaze technology. He then studied a Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne and has taught in private studios and schools to adults & children throughout the UK & Australia.
Dean’s specialty lies in wheel thrown functional and sculptural objects using high fired stoneware and porcelaneous clay. For those who choose Dean as their teacher, you are in very capable hands.
deanmillsom.com
Sarah Micallef

OPERATIONS LEAD
Sarah started her career in Operations and Management at Bunnings, where she discovered her passion for leadership. She then moved on to Corporate and Event Management, honing her skills over the next 6-8 years and overseeing events with up to 1,500 guests.
She later managed a multisite beauty organization, focusing on customer retention and staff development. Known for her strong communication skills, Sarah enjoys capturing behind-the-scenes moments in student classes for social media content.
Dedicated to growing The Wheelhouse, Sarah aims to elevate the community of Educators, Students, and pottery enthusiasts. She enjoys both Melbourne's vibrant nightlife and relaxing at her family property in Kilmore.
Manjula Walker

LEAD GLAZE TECHNICIAN
Manjula is a highly skilled Glaze Technician and joined the Wheelhouse team in October 2023.
She started her career in the hospitality industry as a Chef and with all the challenges of running a very busy kitchen, she started doing a pottery class to help relieve the stress. As a result she fell in love with clay and found her passion for pottery and soon was teaching hand building & wheel throwing classes. This lead her into a career of working with Clayworks Pottery Supplies, where she learned valuable knowledge about making glazes, casting slips & clay production.
Manjula is also a very proud mum of a little girl and brings her warmth, openness and immaculate attention to detail to The Wheelhouse Team.
Fleur Stoios

WHEEL & HAND-BUILDING EDUCATOR
Fleur first found her love for ceramics at the age of 8 and this helped cement her future career path.
She studied Ceramic Design at Monash University and has been producing her own work in this field for over 20 years.
Her passion is still as strong as ever and every day that she comes to work she comes with a new idea to help her students continue their learning.
Fleur has also had a successful career within the corporate environment.
We are lucky to have Fleur in our team as her passion and excitement for ceramics radiates through the building. She is also a mum to 3 teenagers and a little furry one.
Mazz Sackson

WHEEL & HAND-BUILDING EDUCATOR
Mazz began her journey at The Wheelhouse as a student, finding tranquility in the creative process of working with clay.
Mazz holds a Master's in International Development with a focus on youth participation and has extensive experience in designing and managing youth programs.
With a background in teaching Drama, Spanish, and facilitating workshops for both children and adults, Mazz is dedicated to fostering creativity. Inspired by her own experience with an unsupportive pottery teacher, she is committed to helping others express themselves and build their skills with confidence.
Lucy Keatch

WHEEL & HAND-BUILDING EDUCATOR
As a practicing artist and emerging curator, Lucy's work spans performance, installation, sculpture, creative writing, and (of course) ceramics.
During her undergraduate studies, Lucy discovered a passion for ceramics, initially being drawn to wheel throwing before discovering a love of hand-carving. It wasn't long before she had found her niche and began developing a collection of intricately carved ceramic peach seeds.
Lucy holds a Bachelor of Contemporary Art from the University of South Australia and completed her Honours in Fine Art at RMIT. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne.
Kelsey Webber

WHEEL, HAND-BUILDING & SCULPTING EDUCATOR
Kelsey has over 16 years of experience working with clay. In 2015, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics at the Maine College of Art in Portland, on the northeast coast of the United States.
Following her studies, Kelsey spent three years as a full-time studio technician and teacher at a community studio there. In 2018, she embarked on a six-week solo trip around the world, visiting places like the UK, Thailand, and Australia. This journey inspired her to move to the UK in 2019, where she pursued a Master’s in Ceramics at Cardiff School of Art and Design.
After five years in Wales, attending ceramic residencies overseas, Kelsey is excited to continue her journey with clay in Australia and share her experiences with The Wheelhouse community.
Nicholas Hannah

WHEEL, HAND-BUILDING AND SPECIALITY SKILLS EDUCATOR
Nick has been making wheel-thrown tableware since 2012, shifting from a photography career after discovering the joy of clay. He studied under Jane Sawyer in Melbourne, and spent time at the National Art School in Sydney before working closely with his creative mentors, including Prue Venables, Chester Nealie, and Sandy Lockwood.
His work is inspired by a love of useful objects, the search for an essential beauty, and the breath of the sea. Teaching pottery offers an opportunity to share the deep connections that clay creates - with the world and within our daily rituals.
Nick’s greatest wish is to encourage moments of quiet contemplation and joy in the rhythms of daily life.
Eliza Meckiff

STUDIO HAND | STUDENT EDUCATION ASSISTANT
Eliza began her ceramics practice in her year 12 Mixed Media final focusing on porcelain’s capacity to replicate the delicacy and fragility of nature.She then begun her tertiary education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - Ceramics at RMIT and is now completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Art History at The University of Melbourne.
Her interests in art history and the natural landscape are combined in her art practice, often hand painted with detailed underglaze designs and inspired by Japanese forms and patterns. Eliza has a rich passion for teaching both on the wheel and hand building and loves to pass on her fondness for the ceramic medium to others.
In her free time, Eliza gets out in the country camping and hiking as much as possible and has a deep appreciation for the natural world, which is reflected in her ceramic practice.