About Us – Anhinga Clay Studios

Gus Miranda and Melissa Maxfield-Miranda own and operate Anhinga Clay Studios, Inc. This husband-and-wife team are accomplished artists and educators who have brought their shared dream of creating a welcoming art space for children and adults to life. With more than 40 years of combined experience in the visual arts, they are deeply knowledgeable in art-making, art history, and museum education. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, they understand the local community and education system firsthand, having been part of it themselves.

Gus Miranda

Gus holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida International University with a major in painting along with his National Boards for Professional Teaching Certificate in Visual Arts. As a former employee in Miami-Dade Public School System, he had over 21 years experience as an elementary art teacher and museum educator. He has also had many years instructing summer camps and teen portfolio development classes at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Bass Museum of Art. He is following his passion of making pottery and teaching others the wonderful world of art and clay. Gus’ philosophy on art making and teaching is “You must learn to trust yourself and your intuition, have no fear and expect beautiful mistakes”

Melissa Maxfield-Miranda

Melissa holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA in Ceramics from California State University, Long Beach. She received scholarships to attend renowned craft residencies at Haystack and Watershed in Maine. Her passion for clay began in high school at New World School of the Arts, supported by inspiring teachers.

Melissa has worked as an exhibiting artist and as a full-time educator at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles. She currently teaches art at David Fairchild Elementary and served as a museum educator for the Bass Museum of Art and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Her teaching philosophy complements Gus’s beautifully: “Beauty is discovering who you are in each moment of creation—where life’s struggles fall away and curiosity, compassion, and joy can bloom.”

Alison Burrus

Alison Burrus holds a BFA, an MA, and a Specialist degree in Art Education from Florida International University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Recently retired from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, she taught art at David Fairchild Elementary and supported the Museum Education Program at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum. She also serves as Assistant Superintendent/Superintendent for the Dade County Youth Fair’s Fine Arts Department.

Throughout her career, Alison has led professional development workshops, held numerous leadership roles, and earned honors including Teacher of the Year at David Fairchild Elementary, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Skevy Ralis Art Education Award of Honor. An accomplished painter, she has exhibited at CQ Gallery, Borders Gallery, and Fairchild Tropical Gardens.

Alison’s teaching philosophy: “I help students reach their creative potential. As a professional artist, I share my love of art and guide them back to their first language… Art.”

Noah Farrid

Noah is a graduate of Florida International University where he received his BFA. He is very hungry to learn everything about pottery and is a natural talent on the wheel. He enjoys teaching and sharing his passion with others.

Jonathan Terras

Samara Rodriguez

Victor Urroz

Victor Saul Urroz Lanzas is a Nicaraguan artist based in Miami, he specializes in both handbuilt and wheel thrown ceramics. Victor received their Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida International University, and he has exhibited at the Laundromat Art Space for his senior thesis show, Peeling the Glass Onion. Since graduating, was an artist-in-residence at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts and Starworks Ceramics. Victor is very passionate about clay, and loves teaching his passion.