Everyone’s invited to an opening celebration at the new Redmond Clay Studio, from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, March 28. The studio is located in the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St.

Visitors can watch clay artists in action and ask questions about upcoming classes. And you can take part in a community art project which will be mounted on a wall in the center. You don’t have to sign up in advance.

“Just show up and be ready to get your hands dirty,” urged Redmond Clay Studio director Damian Grava, one of three experienced clay artists who will lead classes for adults, teens, children and child/parent teams. The classes begin in April and are geared to beginners — especially those who think they’re “not artistic.”

“We’ll start with an intro to the (potter’s) wheel, teach basic concepts of sculpting and hand-building pots and vessels,” Grava explained. “We’ll start simple and broad to see where people’s interests are.”

Classes also will delve into the correlation between science and art. Grava earned a bachelor’s degree in science and geology before studying art at Keene State College in New Hampshire. He’s lived in the Seattle area around nine years and has been self-employed as a ceramic artist for the past seven, bringing his work to craft fairs, galleries, national shows, Pottery Northwest on Lower Queen Anne, Seward Park Art Studio and community colleges.

This summer, Redmond Clay Studio instructors will offer Clay Camps with field trips to destinations like the clay buff at Seattle’s Discovery Park to help kids understand where clay comes from.

Grava’s colleague, Liz Duarte has taught summer classes in California and at George Washington University. She met Grava in a residency program at Pottery Northwest and has taught there and at the Seattle Arts Museum. Duarte is president of the Washington Clay Arts Association.

The third instructor for the Redmond Clay Studio, Jacqueline Hayes earned dual degrees in fine arts and psychology and specializes in art therapy.

Carleen Hanscom, program coordinator at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, said she’s thrilled and proud to be able to offer clay activities, led by such accomplished teachers, within the historic building in downtown Redmond. Especially during stressful times, it’s important for people to have creative outlets, whether or not they’ve ever taken an art class before.

“The mission is to enrich everyone’s lives with art through ceramics,” Grava stated. “Some people are timid and come into art late in life. They say ‘I can’t do it.’”

Duarte agreed, “They say, ‘I’m not creative,’ but it’s a very technical process. You can’t say ‘you can’t.’”

Grava, Duarte and Hayes will invite friends from the Puget Sound clay community to the Redmond Clay Studio opening celebration. “Come for a fun, easy, hands-on experience,” said Grava.

For more information, call the Redmond Parks & Recreation Department at (425) 556-2300 or visit www.redmond.gov.