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
laura badke - ceramic instructor
I used to collect pottery because I always loved the shapes and glazes. I decided one day to take a class and I haven’t turned back since.” Starting her pottery journey in 2010. Graduated from NYIT with BFA. As a graphic designer, she combines her talent of design to translate in her ceramic work.Merging design and ceramics creating bodies of work that tell a story. Her love is Raku horsehair firing, but also loves to experiment with layered slips and texture. Laura worked as the ceramics studio manager at the Art league of LI and also helped teach classes. Her work has been published in LI Living Magazine, and was on display at various galleries on Long Island. Lauras teaches from beginner to advanced, helping her students find their voice in clay.She also teaches Horsehair firing workshops here at Haven.
amy booth - ceramic instructor
Amy has been working with clay for many years. She earned a BFA in Ceramics at the California College of the Arts in Oakland and a Master’s Degree in TESOL from New York University. Amy taught ESL at Weber Middle School in Port Washington for 20 years. after retiring in 2020, she began teaching wheel pottery at Haven. She also teaches wheel pottery at The Manes Center at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor. She continues to make pottery and enjoys taking part in local farmers markets.
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.
rachel dove - ceramic instructor
Rachel is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in ceramics and textiles. Originally from the Midwest, Rachel has been working with clay since childhood. She received her BFA from the Columbus College of Art & Design and MFA from the University of Tennessee. Rachel has exhibited regionally in juried and invitational exhibitions. Her ceramic work incorporates functional and sculptural methods, alternative firing techniques, and surface design embellishments. Rachel serves as an Adjunct Instructor who teaches foundational art and design courses at Suffolk Community College. She also teaches beginner to advance hand-building and wheel throwing classes along with guided textile workshops. Besides sharing her knowledge and excitement for art making, Rachel’s passion is helping students grow their artistry and creative voice. When teaching, she expresses themes such as craftsmanship, form and function, experimentation, and creativity to inspire and investigate the student’s own creative potential.
Justin Mullady - ceramic instructor
Justin Mullady began his journey on the wheel in 2006. Growing up on Long Island Justin went to high school with a robust ceramic program in Suffolk County, and this is where he was first introduced to the art of both horse hair and raku firings. It was then he knew both fire and clay were going to be a considerable part of his life moving forward. For more than ten years, Justin has been perfecting his craft and sharing his knowledge as a ceramics instructor at local art centers. Artist Statement: I have always been engrossed by the idea of holding the intangible or owning the abstract. What is more powerful than fire and finer than flames? Through my work, I can only try to sway the smoke of a pit fire and guide the markings of horse hair. Clay is my constant which is fixed and known. Although able to shift in form and scale, it abides by a certain set of rules. Together they dance to a tune of controlled chaos
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.
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.
lauren brue - art instructor/mixed media
art has always been a passion for lauren, currently lauren teaches our mixed media classes on saturday morning to our junior budding artist. she loves drawing portraits, painting, and designing jewelry. she has sold many of her hand-crafted jewelry pieces in local stores and fairs. she received her masters in childhood education from cw post with additional certifications in early childhood and students with disabilities.
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.
briana parrino - art instructor/art history & drawing/painting
Briana Parrino received her Bachelor’s in Visual Art Education from SUNY New Paltz and her Master’s in Creative Art Therapy and Counseling from Hofstra University. She currently teaches 4th through 8th grade in Queens. Briana combines her love of art making and self-expression to ensure her students always feel comfortable and safe in her classes. She strives to have her students learn about a variety of artists, art periods and art techniques while simultaneously expressing their thoughts and feelings into their artwork. In her free time, Briana enjoys drawing and painting however she loves to experiment with 3D sculpture and ceramics as well.
Elizabeth sullivanl - art instructor/drawing/painting
Elizabeth sullivan our exceptional instructor and studio manager on Saturdays
mark vermeal - ceramic instructor
Mark vermeil 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. mark is kind, patient and an excellent 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.