Vessels for Charity

Sean Manning

Richard Sean Manning ~ Co-founder

Sean is an artist, teacher and a philanthropist, partner in St Pete Clay Company in Florida. Sean has studied under great masters including the late Rudy Autio, Peter Voulkos, John Balistreri, Don Reitz, Paul Soldner, Matt Long, Brian Ransom. Sean is a recipient of the coveted John Eckert Memorial Award.

He is a prolific potter who crafts up to 5 tons of clay each year, much of which he gives away to worthy causes.

For years Sean, aka “The Clayman”, has volunteered in schools, teaching students how to craft clay. Building on this successful program, he and Laura produced “The Clayman Series”, video demonstrations  teaching students everywhere how to craft Vessels for Charity, showing how fun and easy it is make it personal to make a difference.

Sean believes in empowering students to become life long philanthropists. “Leading by example I will help to plant the seeds of a global consciousness  into the next generation towards charitable giving by empowering students to make it personal to make a difference” ~ Richard Sean Manning.

Laura Manning ~ CEO ~ Creator and Co-Founder

With recent headlines of charitable giving down and need due to natural disasters at an all time high, Laura was searching for a way to help.  Together with husband and business partner Richard Sean Manning they founded Vessels for Charity Foundation Inc.

She attended the New York School of Interior Design  and has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience in marketing, sales and public relations.  Laura founded her own fashion agency in London, England in the 80′s and represented leading designer labels.  She has dressed the rich and famous and remains humble preferring to work behind the scenes to pull all the pieces together as if by magic.  Laura’s vision of marketing Vessels for Charity is for it to be synonymous with charitable giving….the next “must have” in every home.

Barbara Webb

Barbara Webb ~ USA School Liaison

Barbara is passionately engaged in service to the non-profit industry having served as senior staff, consultant and volunteer.

With over 20 years of management and marketing experience specializing in change management in nonprofits, Barbara concentrates on the introduction of new programs and services, and formalizing non profits marketing plans. Her focus is to harness strategic marketing and communications to help non profits reach its organizational goals.

Barbara recieved her B.A. from Southern Illinois University in Education.  Her graduate studies were also at Southern Illinois in Workforce Education and Development.

Other organizations in which Barbera has played an important role include Tacoma Art Museum, The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts,  The African American Historical Museum and Mothers against Drunk Drivers.

Wanda Laing

Wanda Laing ~ Managing Director

Wanda became involved in VFC when her sister Laura asked if she could help with a small project. Over a year later she has gone from a helping hand to Managing Director. An artist in her own right, Wanda fell in love with the idea of helping the world through art.

Wanda retired from the hospitality industry in November 2009 to pursue her interest in mixed media art and stained glass. She is also a jewelry designer specializing in wire wrapped stones.  Her work is showcased at local venues in her home town, Ontario, Canada.

Wanda has been involved in charitable giving from a young age.  To the chagrin of her mother she was always dragging home helpless animals, displaced teenagers and even homeless people.  She has been a Hospice volunteer, the chairperson of her local BIA, and “Wise Old Owl” with the local Brownies chapter.  Working with Vessels for Charity is a dream come true for her.