Erin ZysettThe Willamette Art Center hums like a beehive, where conversations blend with the whir of pottery wheels and the scratch of clay-slick worktops. The earthy scent of wet clay fills the nonprofit’s newly remodeled studio at 3995 Fairview Industrial Drive in Salem — a smell unique to ceramics studios.
In breakout classrooms off the main studio, students lean over spinning clay, hands steady and minds focused. Others carve designs into leather-hard pieces destined for the kiln and glaze. For many, the work offers more than artistic growth.
“Working with clay forces you to slow down,” WAC instructor Kelly Matney said. “You can’t be on your phone or thinking about something else — you’re fully in the moment.”
Art therapists have long linked working with clay to stress reduction, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. Leaders at the Willamette Art Center say their move to a larger, newly remodeled facility will allow more people to experience those benefits.
The ceramics studio recently relocated after nearly two decades at the Oregon State Fairgrounds following the nonrenewal of its lease, prompting the organization to seek a permanent home designed specifically for ceramics education and community programming.
A New Chapter
Founded to provide affordable ceramics instruction and open studio access, the Willamette Art Center has grown into a hub for artists, hobbyists, and beginners. During its time at the fairgrounds, the center hosted thousands of visitors each year through classes, workshops and community events supporting local causes.
The former location, however, presented challenges. Visitors often struggled to navigate the fairgrounds campus, and the building limited program expansion. WAC Executive Director Lisa Joyce said the new Fairview Industrial Drive facility offers a chance to rethink the studio from the ground up.
“Our old location was very inaccessible,” Lisa said. “We serve a lot of people who have mobility challenges, and because of other things going on at the fairgrounds, they couldn’t park close; it was really difficult for them to access the old facility. So, having plentiful parking was very important. We also invested in an accessible front door, and the bathrooms are designed so someone can wheel a chair in and get around.”
The remodeled space offers more square footage, additional wheels and hand-building stations, and two dedicated classrooms — one multiuse and one for wheel instruction.
“This means we can have classes happening, alongside open studio hours,” Lisa said.
The renovation also included upgraded air purification systems and new dust-control policies, key elements for ceramics safety.
“When we made choices here, it was about how do we keep it as clean as possible to reduce health risks to our patrons and instructors,” Lisa said. “Exposure to silica is cumulative, especially for potters who have worked for decades, so creating a healthier, safer environment was really important.”
Growing Programs and Access
The expanded studio is expected to increase the number and variety of classes and workshops offered, from beginner hand-building to advanced wheel-throwing and specialized firing techniques.
“Also, we can now offer painting, charcoal drawing, and other media we couldn’t offer in the old studio,” Lisa said.
She also hopes to expand outreach serving youth, Spanish-speaking community members, seniors, and individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities. Scholarships and sliding-scale tuition remain central to the organization’s accessibility goals.
Beyond technical instruction, the center aims to preserve its role as a community gathering place.
“This place is about connection,” Kelly said. “People come here to create, but they stay because they find community.”
Clay as Therapy
Mental health professionals increasingly recognize the therapeutic value of tactile art forms such as ceramics. The repetitive motion of shaping clay can encourage mindfulness by focusing attention on the present moment while providing a physical outlet for stress and emotional expression.
Unlike some artistic mediums, clay engages multiple senses through touch, movement, and visual transformation, which research shows can help regulate anxiety and improve mood.
“Clay becomes an extension of yourself. It’s grounding and almost meditative because you’re using your hands and your whole body,” Kelly said. “As someone who has anxiety, clay forces me out of my head and back into my body. This studio is my happy place.”
Building a Sustainable Future
While the new facility creates room for growth, it also brings financial challenges. Renovations, specialized equipment, and operational costs required extensive fundraising and community support.
“We didn’t have a tradition of fundraising at WAC,” Lisa said. “So, learning to do that while planning the move and renovation was a major challenge. The biggest support during the transition was our board. They were incredibly helpful when we had to make big financial decisions.”
The nonprofit continues to rely on donations, memberships, and class enrollment to sustain programming. Despite the hurdles, organizers say the move strengthens WAC’s long-term stability and impact.
Lisa said the center’s higher expenses in the new space make it a challenge to balance affordability and accessibility, and that diversifying funding and maintaining donor support will be essential to cover operating costs.
Shaping More Than Clay
As students trim, mold, and glaze their creations, instructors say the transformation happening inside the building extends beyond pottery. The larger space allows the center to deepen connections within Salem’s arts community while offering a creative refuge for residents seeking stress relief, artistic growth, or a sense of belonging.
“The old studio felt like walking into a place where everybody knew your name. It was a really tight-knit community,” WAC instructor Jesse Breon said. “The new space is still finding its personality, but it gives the center room to grow and bring in new people. Over time, it will build that same sense of community.”
The Willamette Art Center is located at 3995 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Suite 100. It offers handbuilding and wheel classes, one-day workshops, and open studio hours for people of all abilities who have completed a short orientation and purchased a pass. For more information on upcoming events, kids’ clay classes, and workshops, visit WillametteArtCenter.com.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 27 (Spring 2026)
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Carlee Wright
