Sara Bookspan fell in love with clay at an early age. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Master of Science in special education and Bachelor of Arts in art education with an emphasis in ceramics, Sara knows first-hand the power that art has to enhance the human experience. With two teaching credentials, Sara has spent the last decade of her career committed to developing a unique approach, blending her extensive background in behavior science with a passion for art therapy. Under her mentorship with Joel Magen of Dark Horse Pottery in Santa Cruz, California, Sara honed her skills in wheel thrown and hand-built production pottery. There, she cultivated a deeper appreciation for the meditative process of working with clay.

Sara’s penchant for learning and travel led her to East Africa where she served Kenya’s local Deaf community as a Peace Corps volunteer. She collaborated with local leaders to develop several income-generating projects focusing on beadwork, textiles, and ceramics. In Tanzania, Sara worked with the international school community to create inclusive and empowering interventions for students with learning differences. Most recently, Sara founded a ceramics program for autistic learners/persons with autism in Portland, Oregon designed to promote life skills and creativity through hand building techniques, glazing, and mixed media.

After nearly 20 years of domestic and international experience, Sara is thrilled to continue her mission of improving people’s lives through the intersections of art and behavioral sciences as a new member of the Armory Art Center family! Working with Sara, learners can expect to enhance their sense of independence and mindfulness while exploring the wild world of ceramics to flourish as artistic clay rebels!