Brush-Fire owner Nancy Steers-Crist says humans possess an instinctive desire to express themselves artistically. However, this doesn’t always entail sitting in front of a blank canvas waiting for inspiration, or molding a formless pile of clay into a statue of David. When the inner artist breaks through, the result can be as simple as a common coffee mug or a vase that holds fresh flowers.
Pottery is one of the most accessible art forms. Whether people are interested in creating their own pieces or simply purchasing original items, Eugene offers countless
ways to pursue this highly personal form of expression.
Brush-Fire, located at 954 Pearl St., offers a unique studio environment. The establishment gives novice and experienced artists the chance to paint undecorated bisques. Customers browse through the store’s collection of raw pottery items, sit down with their selection and paint away. Brush-Fire employees throw the finished work into a kiln and three days later, the creation is ready to take home. The whole process is included in the price listed with the item on the shelf.
Steers-Crist, who purchased Brush-Fire just more than a month ago, said a visit there represents a perfect break from the chaotic stresses of life.
“I feel that this whole experience is the opposite of everything we deal with every day,” she said. “So many people come in here all the time and say it’s like therapy.”

Those who crave more extensive “therapy” can visit Georgie’s Ceramic and Clay Company, located at 1471 Railroad Blvd. The business caters to both beginners and professionals, with offerings that run the gamut from retail and wholesale supplies to instruction and firing. For a taste of the options, potters can visit the store during its regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, Monday through Saturday.
Pottery’s accessibility doesn’t necessarily imply simplicity. It has evolved from ancient roots to one of the most celebrated art forms in the world. According to ceramic tile importer Artistic Tile and Stone, the oldest known body of pottery works date back to the Japan’s Jomon period — from about 13,000 B.C. to 300 B.C.
Throughout the art form’s history, there have been three distinctive types of pottery. The first, earthenware, was primarily made of blended clay and baked hard. The invention of glaze allowed for waterproofing and gave way to the second type of pottery, called stoneware. This variation was preferred for domestic use because of its non-porous quality.
Glazing not only made the pottery creations more practical, but produced a wide array of colors and textures. These color schemes were achieved by mixing natural minerals with the glaze ingredients. For instance, copper would produce the color green, while cobalt produces the color blue and so on. These mixes were created without specific scientific knowledge, and potters guarded their secret recipes, handing them down from one generation to the next.
Historians point to a third type of pottery, which was invented in China and emerged as the earliest form of porcelain.
These days, the word pottery is likely to evoke an image of someone hovering over a potter’s wheel. While the University offers classes that give students extensive training in this realm of pottery, would-be artists don’t necessarily have to enroll in classes to get a shot at the wheel. The EMU Craft Center offers an $8 term pass to University students, faculty, staff and alumni. The general public may also purchase a term pass with enrollment in a Craft Center workshop of $20 or more.