Stephanie Cocchi’s creative journey has truly been a road less traveled. Drawn to both helping others and expressing herself through art, she first pursued an academic path—earning a B.S. in English and Psychology, an M.S. in Counseling and an Ed.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership Yet, even while building her career, Stephanie’s passion for creating never waned.

Over 25 years ago, she began exploring the arts through self-directed learning—taking online workshops, master classes, and in-person courses in stained glass, fused glass, and wire jewelry. Her early work in fused glass jewelry led her to participate in the 2016 Arts in Bloom Studio Tour in Elsinboro, NJ.

It was during this period, experimenting with her small jewelry kiln, that she discovered her true calling: clay.

What began as curiosity soon became devotion. Stephanie purchased a pottery wheel and kiln, studied with a master potter for two years, attended Clay College in NJ, and joined numerous ceramic communities, including The Ceramic School and ClayShare. Over time, she transitioned from wheel throwing to handbuilding—a technique she loves for its creative freedom and expressive possibilities.

Stephanie was accepted as an Emerging Artist with the Salem County Art Tour in 2016 and has participated annually ever since. In 2019, she built her first home studio, followed by a larger, purpose-built studio in 2024, designed to host up to eight students for handbuilding workshops. She began teaching in 2025, sharing her passion and expertise with others.

Her work has earned recognition in the New Jersey Senior Art Show, winning Second Place in Sculpture in both 2024 and 2025.

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Stephanie lived in Leicester, United Kingdom, from 1981 to 1995, and has called Elsinboro, NJ, home since 2005.

Her artistic voice is rooted in curiosity, lifelong learning, and the joy of creating with her hands.