ABOUT HOUSE OF DIRT

Welcome to House of Dirt, a ceramics studio located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, where clay experiences build connections within the community. Founded by Ezra Schweitzer (they/them) and Sage González Velázquez (he/they), a queer, trans, Jewish/Puerto Rican couple, this studio embodies their vision of art and togetherness. In 2022, Ezra and Sage relocated to Puerto Rico and embarked on their dream of establishing House of Dirt and sharing their passion for ceramics with the local community.

With hard work and dedication, their vision is now a reality. The offerings are diverse, ranging from a membership program and ceramics classes to firing services and a thoughtfully curated selection of ceramic supplies.

Beyond the studio's physical space, the essence of House of Dirt is captured in the artistic creations of Ezra and Sage. Meticulously designed and infused with charm, their pieces are meant to bring joy into life's quieter moments. Discover their works available for purchase online, at upcoming local markets, and through their network of stockists.

Stay connected with the latest classes, workshops, and events by joining the mailing list or following @houseofdirtstudio on Instagram. Your journey into the wonderful world of House of Dirt awaits!

ABOUT Ezra

Ezra Schweitzer (they/them) was born in Mountain View, California. At the age of 11, their family relocated to the Philadelphia area where they completed their high school education and began working with clay. Ezra earned their BFA from Alfred University in 2018.

After graduating, they returned to Philadelphia and worked as a baker while they completed the apprenticeship at Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA. Ezra also worked at Black Hound Clay Studio in West Philadelphia and became an integral part of the team, holding a wide array of roles such as Studio Assistant, Membership Coordinator, and Studio Manager over the course of a few years. Ezra began teaching ceramics during their time in Philadelphia and found it to be very rewarding. They taught wheel throwing, handbuilding, and tile classes at various art centers and summer camps. In 2020, Ezra also started making and selling their own ceramic artworks under the name “House of Dirt”.

In 2022, Ezra and Sage made the decision to leave behind their life in Philadelphia and embrace a new adventure in Puerto Rico. Since moving to PR, House of Dirt has become a team project and expanded to become a physical studio space where Ezra continues to make their art, and share their love of ceramics through teaching. When they aren’t in the studio, Ezra enjoys spending time with their cats, eating mac and cheese, and indulging in watching reality TV.

ABOUT Sage

Sage Gonzalez Velazquez (he/they) was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. At the age of 8, his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, but the passing of his grandfather a few years later prompted his parents to move back to Puerto Rico. Sage attended the Arts Boarding School at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and it was during this time that he fell in love with ceramics and fibers.

Sage began his college education at Alfred University, then transferred to Oregon College of Arts and Crafts in Portland, OR. Being in Portland gave him access to the trans healthcare he needed, and he decided to move back to PR and take some time off school to focus on his medical transition. He returned to Alfred University in 2016 and earned his BFA in Art and Design in 2019.

After graduation, he stopped by PR to pick up his childhood cat, then joined Ezra in Philadelphia. During his time in Philly, he worked a variety of jobs, including being a Tool Librarian at the West Philly Tool Library, Studio Assistant for a few Philadelphia-based ceramic artists, and Studio Tech at Black Hound Clay Studio.

In 2022, Sage and Ezra moved to PR to be closer to Sage’s family and establish House of Dirt and a physical studio space. Sage continues to create his own artworks and is the jack-of-all for projects and maintenance of the House of Dirt property. When Sage is not fixing something or making art, he enjoys spending time with his family and harassing his cats.

Classes

Whether you're completely new to working with clay or an experienced ceramicist, we welcome all skill levels to our classes.

WORKSHOPS

Experience the joy of working with clay in our one-time classes. Create unique, beautiful pieces as you receive step-by-step guidance. Perfect for beginners and those seeking a convenient artistic exploration.

FIRING SERVICES

Need your clay creations to be fired? No problem! Our firing services have you covered. Just bring in your ready-to-fire pieces, and we'll handle the rest with expert care.