Maria Sparsis - Founder & Resident Artist

Maria Sparsis was born on the island of Cyprus to a Cypriot father and a British mother, Maria has also lived and worked in Wales, Scotland, New England and, for the last 18 years, Florida. A Marine Biologist by training and a scientist by inclination Maria has a deep commitment to nature in all its forms. Maria is part owner of Tea and Chi, a premium loose-leaf tea company in downtown Vero Beach, a resident artist and former owner at Flametree gallery and serves as an adjunct biology professor at Indian River State College. Her love of tea and collection of teapots are what initially brought her to the world of ceramics. Much of Maria's work is inspired by her love of nature and fondness for the absurd which she has inherited from her father. Maria has studied ceramics with Sean Clinton, Nancy Blair, Glenda Taylor, Charlie Riggs, Deborah Adornato, Walford Campbell and Nan Jacobson.