Working with A.MANO Brooklyn

A.MANO is in Prospect Heights, a different neighborhood from my studio, but each time I visit, it feels oddly familiar. Maybe it’s the atmosphere—thoughtfully quiet, design-forward, full of ceramics. Maybe it’s the shelves, which feel more like a bookshelf than a store. Or maybe it’s that the space itself was designed by Sergio Mannino, who, like me, is Italian. That small shared detail makes me feel more at home.

The shop is owned by Katherine Wells, who curates everything with remarkable care. It’s centered around handmade ceramics and surrounded by a carefully chosen mix of books, stationery, vintage pieces, and a café bar where you can sit with an espresso or a glass of wine. The front shelves are built to invite touch and time. Objects aren't crowded; they're placed. Given light. Given space.

Among the shelves, a selection of my pieces now lives quietly alongside work by other local artists—including some of my former pottery teachers. A.MANO carries a few of my porcelain cupcake stands, rings, and Panem et Circenses plates not listed on my website. I was moved when I saw how they were displayed—surrounded by pieces from artists I admire. One of the plates ended up next to an open page in a design book showing bold stripes and carnival forms. I hadn't planned that combination, but it made perfect sense.

There’s a feeling here that ceramics belong—not just as objects for sale, but as part of daily rhythm. On a shelf. Near a cup. Alongside something made by someone else’s hands. A.MANO manages to be both a destination and a space that feels lived-in, in the best way.

If you’re nearby, or just passing through Brooklyn, I’d recommend stopping in. There’s no rush. Just clay, color, and time.