December 2025

Our ceramics program is one of the Arts Center’s most beloved offerings. We joke that ceramics is a bit of a cult—in the best possible way. If our doors are open, students are at work. There’s a constant, comforting buzz of creativity throughout the building, and our ceramicists—Connie, Shelly, Krista, Deb, and so many others—feel like family.

A couple of weeks ago, that steady rhythm hit an unexpected bump. We store our prepackaged clay under the stairs, something we’ve done safely for nearly twenty years. But during the recent cold snap, our ceramics assistant, Sarah Hurley, discovered that our clay had frozen. It was a surprise—and a serious one. The clay on hand represented more than $1,000, a significant investment for a small organization like ours.

The good news? Clay can be saved. The challenge? Doing so requires a piece of equipment we’ve dreamed about for years: a ceramics pugmill.

A pugmill is a bit like a giant food processor for clay. It allows dry, unfired clay to be blended with slurry and transformed back into smooth, usable material—ready to become something extraordinary in the hands of our artists.

A new pugmill costs $8,000. When our ceramics students learned what was at stake, they responded with incredible generosity. In just 48 hours, they donated and pledged $6,500. Thanks to them, the pugmill has been ordered and arrives today. Their love for this program is nothing short of inspiring.

And yet, as often happens with old buildings, the story didn’t end there.

When I began at the Arts Center 23 years ago, I was handed an architect’s report outlining more than $400,000 in deferred maintenance. Over the years—thanks to generous donors, partners, and grants—we’ve replaced HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, doors, and windows. During the early days of COVID-19, when part of the Brandt Gallery ceiling collapsed, our community once again stepped up, helping us complete a $400,000 renovation that ensured the safety and future of our galleries.

Just this week, one of our classroom furnaces—nearly 20 years old—gave out completely. This unit heats three of our classrooms and was likely the reason our clay froze. On Wednesday, our board approved an emergency replacement. At $5,500, it wasn’t optional, but it was necessary. That new system is being installed today.

These moments remind us that the Arts Center is not just a building—it’s a living, breathing space where creativity happens every day. Keeping it warm, safe, and fully functional takes ongoing care, and we can’t do it alone.

If you’re able to support the Arts Center—whether by helping offset recent repairs, investing in our ceramics program, or contributing to the long-term care of our facility—we would be deeply grateful. Every gift helps ensure that our classrooms stay full, our kilns stay warm, and our community continues to create together.

Thank you for being part of this story.

-Doug Johnson