Meet the Staff

Paola Rodriguez

Owner & Instructor

Hi, I'm Paola! I'm a full-time ceramic artist living in sunny Honolulu, and owning this studio has been a long-time dream and goal of mine. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts from UH Manoa in 2020. I absolutely love working with clay, whether I'm making functional pieces or sculptures. My favorite part is letting the organic nature of the material shine through in my patterns, surface decorations, and how I work the clay.

I'm passionate about sharing this hands-on experience, so I offer private lessons in both wheel throwing and hand building, as well as group workshops. I truly enjoy seeing others pursue and grow in their own ceramic journey. My goal is always to create a fun and meaningful learning experience, whether you're just starting out or you've been working with clay for a while!

Elena Beltran

Owner & Admin

I'm Elena! While not a ceramist myself, I've been immersed in the arts for most of my life. I believe art is the language of the soul—a crucial way we express ourselves. I've witnessed firsthand how artists transform their space, and in return, how art transforms the artist.

I've also been a small business owner for many, many years—perhaps too many to count! Opening this studio alongside my daughter, Paola, has been the best decision ever. I manage the backend operations; I'm the face you almost never see, as I'm based in San Diego. My responsibilities include the website, taxes, compliance, and ensuring the resources are there to keep this amazing studio a special place for our members. I love visiting Honolulu and meeting our amazing members and see the incredibly creative and diverse pieces everyone crafts at Mudd Studio.