Adventures In Art

Potter finds plethora of ways to create at Terra Studios

When it comes to threedimensional art made of clay, Lisa Crews does it all — or at least, so many kinds that it’s hard to adequately describe them. A potter since college at Arkansas State University, Crews creates historically accurate pottery — both European and Native American — and on the other end of the spectrum, whimsical plates and mugs and wall pockets that might look functional but aren’t necessarily intended to be.

“To me, it’s more like I made a painting,” she says.

That pretty much encapsulates Crews’ goal for the time she is an artistin-residence at Terra Studios east of Fayetteville. “I really want to make the leap from a clay artist to strictly an artist,” she says. “To transition from a 3-D ceramicist to a full-blown artist. I feel like I’m in the perfect spot for that. People here are genuinely interested in creating an environment where somebody like me can flourish.”

Crews lives on site at the Durham nonprofit, working all day in the studio there, teaching classes and selling her work in the gallery. She’ll be one of eight artists demonstrating their crafts during the eighth annual Meet the Artists event, scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. today.

“This event has several purposes that aim to benefit guests who are visiting Terra Studios, the artists involved with Terra Studios and the nonprofit itself,” says Allison Dean, education director. “The name suggests one component of the event. It gives visitors a chance to meet artists whose work can be found in the gallery, as well as providing artists an opportunity to interact with some of the folks who may be interested in what they do.

“Art Lab is another feature of the event,” Dean goes on. “This is our drop-in based arts and crafts area, which offers individually priced (à la carte) art projects geared toward making handmade holiday gifts. Projects are designed for a range of ages, abilities and interests, [and] prices range from

free to $20.

“Overall, it’s a great opportunity for some holiday shopping with the added perks of music, food and drink and live art demonstrations.”

For many years a family-run business, as a nonprofit Terra Studios “dreams of a brighter future through using art to create a better world,” Dean says. “One of our primary goals is to provide opportunities for anyone and everyone to experience art. The art park is so whimsical and interactive that it creates a very different experience from that of a traditional gallery. We hope to share art that is both accessible and inspiring.

“We want to be the place where a young, budding artist discovers a talent and new creative outlet,” she goes on. “We also want to be the place where people who don’t consider themselves to be artists find their way into a class and discover how wonderful it feels to create.”

Crews says she went to college planning to be a graphic designer, but “I took ceramics, and it ruined me.” Grad school in Delaware let her spend time looking at all the art available in Washington, D.C., New York and Baltimore, and “it was a wonderful experience.” She taught public school for 10 years, and since 2007, she has worked solely as an artist.

In addition to her historically accurate Delftware and Mississippian ware, and along with her “very whimsical, nature-inspired” art pieces, her stay in Northwest Arkansas has allowed Crews to “work in any other material I can get my hands on! I’m so excited about being at Terra!”