Stephanie Spear 
Reston neighbors Jennie Persson and Paola Lluberas are the duo behind the recently opened Potters Union, located at 427 Carlisle Drive in Herndon. Jennie and Paola opened the studio to create a space they felt was missing from the local pottery studio offerings. With Potters Union, they have created a welcoming space that invites people of all skill levels to create. Read on for more about Potters Union in Herndon.
Behind the Business
Reston neighbors Jennie Persson and Paola Lluberas met when Jennie and her family moved in January 2024 near Paola and her family. They had children of similar ages and forged a fast friendship. At the time, both Jennie and Paola had corporate jobs. In early 2025, Paola was at home on maternity leave, itching for something to do.
Paola (l) and Jennie (r)
“I had tried pottery a long time ago, but I got a beginner wheel for Christmas, so I was getting back into it,” Paola said. Jennie was curious about pottery and would go over to Paola’s to experiment with clay and the wheel. “We just loved it,” Jennie said. The two wanted to learn more, so they signed up for every class and workshop that made sense.
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“It was hard to find the right classes,” Jennie said. “Either there was a waitlist or it wasn’t the right skill set we were looking for.” At the same time, Paola was looking into setting up a home studio. “I quickly realized it was going to be a lot,” she said. “Once you start talking about the ventilation, getting a kiln, it gets complicated.”
For March, April, and May, Jennie and Paola went to different workshops, studios, and classes, but nothing was the right fit for a long-term commitment to their hobby. The two realized that what they wanted was right under their noses, if they could make it themselves. “We were at the playground with our kids, and we said, what if we opened our own studio?’” Jennie said.
This was May 2025, and Potters Union was born. “We got the paperwork together in May and signed the lease in June,” Paola said. “And then started ordering the equipment and supplies.” The space needed to be converted from an office space to a pottery studio, which ended up taking about three months. “It also was three months’ time for shipping the wheels and some other equipment, so it felt like a race to have everything line up,” Paola said.
What to Expect
The studio opened in October 2025, and the space is everything the two dreamed of and more. Its location near Sugarland Run means there are mature trees surrounding the studio and a small creek on the ground level. The studio has two dedicated lounging spaces that face the creek, making the whole space feel like a treehouse. Many of the other tenants in the Sugar Oak office park are wellness-focused businesses, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere at the studio.
Jennie shows off the kilns at Potters Union
The studio’s offerings and ethos are what Jennie and Paola thought about during their springtime journeys around the area. “We took everything we wanted to find in a studio and made it happen here,” Jennie said. “Most of all, we want people to focus on the experience of working with clay, not just the end result. We want it to be a relaxing, welcoming environment where people of all skill levels can experiment and enjoy themselves.”
Even the name ‘union’ is reflective of the collaborative spirit they want the studio to have. “We brainstormed a lot,” Paola said. “And we liked ‘union’ – it reminded us of Union Station, with people coming together. We wanted to create a place where people can come and feel like a community.”
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Paola continued, “We have six instructors, and they have a mix of backgrounds. Some are formally educated, while others are self-taught,” she said. “It’s a great blend, because they’re all passionate about pottery.”
There are three ways to access Potters Union: memberships, workshops, and classes. Workshops are one-off experiences that can be topics such as basic handbuilding to more advanced skills topics taught by more senior instructors. Classes are available for beginners up to advanced students, and cover a variety of topics. Memberships allow access to Potters Union’s materials and equipment. “It’s kind of like a gym membership,” Paola explained. “All the equipment and supplies are here, you just pick how often you want to come.”
Paola shows the glazes available at Potters Union
The team can also host private events such as birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and corporate events. “Pretty much anyone from age 16 and up, we’d love to have them,” Paola said.
Potters Union is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10AM to 9PM; Friday and Saturday from 10AM to 6PM; and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM.
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