check out our outstanding team for 2025
owners
heidi stephens-rabman - artist/business owner
heidi has spent her entire professional career in the arts. she received her Bachelor of fine arts at the college of ceramics at alfred university and continued her education at the School for Visual Arts, Parsons School of Design and The Realist Drawing Academy in New Mexico with Gary Faigin. After moving to NYC, she worked ten years + for two of the largest Fortune 500 companies in NYC as Art Director and Design Director. During that time Heidi also honed her ceramic skills as a student of master ceramic artists, painted, exhibited in numerous venues where she sold her paintings. other than owning the studio and throwing pots in her spare time her hobbies are painting designer bags, sketching and tennis.
louis rabman - business owner
born in england and raised in south africa and israel, louis is an international star. After serving four years in the Israeli army, he immigrated to the U.S.A. where he continued his education and career. Louis has spent his entire professional life in finance, helping to grow small businesses. currently, louis has ventured into the vending machine business and is taking over long island as the vending king. louis married heidi, the couple and their three children moved to port washington which has been their home ever since.
CERAMIC INSTRUCTORS
Christina Costello - ceramic/handbuilding instructor
With over two decades of experience, I’ve immersed myself in the world of pottery, both professionally and for the pure joy of it. Having studied ceramics in school, I’ve also learned a great deal through hands-on experience and trial and error. I find endless possibilities by combining the ancient art of hand-building with the graceful precision of wheel-throwing. The synergy of these two techniques means there are truly no limits to what can be created. For me, pottery is more than a craft; it’s a therapeutic and deeply personal journey.
As an instructor, my goal is to make pottery an enjoyable and fun experience for every student. I believe in the continuous process of learning and growing, and I love sharing this passion by offering tips and tricks to make the art of ceramics a fun and fulfilling adventure for everyone, one pot at a time.
Mark vermeal - ceramic instructor
Mark vermeal has been taking classes at our studio for numerous years. he started teaching at our studio over a year ago and is one of our most outstanding instructors. His work and skill set speak for themselves. He is meticulous and detailed oriented. His glaze work and precision is masterful. mark is kind, patient and an excellent instructor.
Diana roldan - hand builder/ceramic instructor
danni campero - ceramics instructor/teen wheel/tech /clay girl
daniella studied at queens college where she was first introduced to ceramics. she has worked on hand building and wheel thrown projects; both functional and sculptural. daniella has also interned at queens college as a studio technician, a profession she has continued to pursue.
Paul whittle - ceramic instructor
Juliet Walzer - art instructor/teen wheel
Trilingual Visual arts educator and MFA teaching artist with 7 years of experience fostering vibran, inclusive studios in premier independent and international schools. from the tactile world of ceramics and traditional drawing Juliet does it
FINE ARTs INSTRUCTORS
marvin arevalo - art instructor/accelerated art
Marvin Arevalo (aka Kiwi) is a New York artist interested in portraits, abstract, and a touch of Macabre. With series titled Franken-Kiwi, All My Friends Are Monsters, When Villains Win, and Deathtopia. He blends classic monsters with bright abstract forms and with a new series titled Season of the Witch, expects his oeuvre to expand exponentially.
Marvin Arevalo studies art at the State University of New York at Oswego, The New York Empire State University, and the Long Island University of New York formally known as C.W Post. Currently working on his 12th series of artwork, Marvin is also tutoring privately remotely to local Nassau and Queens residents.
Lauryn graham - art instructor
Lauryn graham comes to us highly recommended with raving reviews from shibley day camp where she is currently camp art director. Lauryn is the perfect combination of an artist and educator that ignites her students’ curiosity!
In her magical world of art Lauryn comes with six years in education under her belt. She makes lessons engaging by incorporating a mixture of art history and current and her artistic trends that fit the interest of the current generation. we are so excited to have her as part of our haven team
David cheeseman- art instructorcharacter drawing
David cheesman is a mixed media artist, and youth art instructor As a graduate of SYRACUSE University (’19) with degrees in sociology, he has always been fascinated by drawing characters. David has recently joined haven art studio Inspired by the impact of his own teachers, David embraces his opportunity as an instructor to encourage his students to gain confidence in themselves, their skills as artists and their own creativity.
judy doyle - art instructor/mixed media
A long time resident of Port Washington (since the early 80s), Judy lives with her husband,Patrick, and her dog and cat (their children are grown).She retired from the world of finance 15 years ago and traded her NYSE Broker’s License for a Real Estate License. She enjoys helping others sell and buy homes and enjoys the creative side of staging a home, as well. Her heart will always be in the arts: visual and performance. She is actively involved in the community performing in local theatre groups (acting, singing and set design), raising money for various charities. At Haven, Judy mostly conducts multi-media classes and birthday parties for children, She is all-in body, mind, and soul and has fully transitioned from the corporate world to the world of art.
Elizabeth sullivan - art instructor/drawing/painting
Elizabeth sullivan our exceptional instructor and studio manager on Saturdays is always available and eager to help beginners and anyone in need of answers. She is warm, caring and an outstanding artist.
mark vermeal - ceramic instructor
jen streim - fashionista/sewing instructor/interior design
jen attended Undergraduate at SUNY Oneonta where she received a Bachelor’s in Family and consumer science which back then was called HOME ECONOMICS. There she learned all my basics of sewing 101, draping design,etc.
in her Senior year’s transferred to Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T) & Spent 3 more years learning the Fashion , advertising and Toy industry. jen holds degrees in ADVERTISING DESIGN / FINE ART with a specialty in TOY DESIGN from FIT.
she worked for Mattel Toy Company and Fisher Price Toy company (which is one company) for over 24 years designing Plush soft toys such as ELMO, Cookie monster and Disney toys, including Mickey & Minnie Mouse , Winnie the Pooh as well as hundreds of plastic toys for Thomas the tank, dora the explorer ,shimmer and shine ,octonauts as well as nickelodeon branded toys. jen is a port mom that you may see teaching at Om sweet om yoga studio as a yoga instructor.