Ianna Frisby discovered her passion for ceramics and teaching as a teenager attending classes at Sacramento City and American River Community Colleges. Frisby received a BA from Humboldt State University and an MFA from the Cranbrook Art Academy in Michigan. After receiving her BA Frisby taught at several Bay Area Art facilities including: Richmond Art Center, Walnut Creek Civic Art Center, Piedmont Adult School, Ulloa Elementary and East Bay Science and Art Middle School. Frisby was hired by Sierra College to teach part time in the art department after receiving her MFA and continues to remain on the faculty there. Along with Gioia Fonda, Frisby manages the Tangent Gallery located at 2900 Franklin Blvd, a collaborative art space.