The Colley Senior Complex will host Open House for the senior center’s new Pottery Studio from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Pottery Studio at 713 Elm Street, next door to the Colley Senior Complex. The public is invited.

The Open House will feature a gallery of pottery creations by 14 “budding and blooming” artists from the senior center. Some of the potters are relatively new to the art while others have as many as 12 years of playing in the mud to their credit.

Marian Parker, who is facilitator, for the pottery class, said the purpose of the Open House is three-fold.

“First, we want the public to visit our new Pottery Studio. It is amazing and we are so proud of it,” she said. “The pottery class was house in a shed in back of the Colley Senior Complex building and we were proud of that, too. But we are thrilled with our new Pottery Studio.”

Parker said if something is needed at the Colley Senior Complex, one only needs to breathe to make it happen.

One day, Scott Swindall “whispered” to Catherine Jordan that the pottery class needed to move into the senior center annex.

“And, the next thing we knew, we were on the move,” Parker said. “We could not be happier. All of us who attended classes and events at the Colley Senior Complex are so appreciative of the many wonderful programs that are offered. If we need anything, Mayor Jason Reeves and the city council make sure we get it.”

The Open House is also an opportunity for the public to view the pottery that has been created by the different members of the pottery class.

“The pottery is as unique and those who create it,” Parker said. “I think everyone will be impressed by the quality and the variety of the pottery that is being made here at the center. We have dedicated two rooms of the studio for gallery space and the ‘space’ is ideal for a pottery show. Once the show was set up, we kind of felt good about it ourselves.”

Parker said the potters are excited about the opportunity to showcase their work and they are just as excited to show how they do what they do.

“The gallery will be set up for viewing, and we’ll also be making pottery so visitors will be able to see how we do what we do,” she said. “Some of the potters will be throwing pots on the wheel; others will be making pots using the coil method and some the slab method.”

Visitors who wish to play in the mud will have that opportunity.

“We want those who visit the Pottery Studio to have an opportunity to see the process and the product,” Parker said.

“Hopefully, some visitors will be so intrigued by what they see that they will want to join us at the Pottery Studio. “You don’t have to be an artist to make a clay pot. All you have to have is the ‘want to.’ We have a lot of fun and we building friendships. And, one of the best things about working with the class is that you can just put everything else aside and lose yourself in the creative process.”

For more information about the pottery class or other programs at the Colley Senior Complex, call 808-8500.