Artist opens Pepper Place studio to be part of ‘thriving’ Birmingham

Potter and art teacher Lana B. Hobbs opened Thrive Clay Studio at Pepper Place in Lakeview on May 1.

The Hoover resident, previously located at Artists on the Bluff, said the Birmingham move made sense.

“I've been a vendor at Pepper Place Market for three years, and most of my students are from here,” she said.

The Atlanta native, who earned a master’s degree in art education at the University of Montevallo in 2014, was also attracted by Birmingham’s energy.

“Birmingham is what my [studio] name is right now — it’s thriving, growing and changing,” she said. “I wanted to be part of that.”

Thrive is a “communal place where people can come together and make things with their hands,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs offers two-hour clay workshops during which participants complete one of several objects, such as a mug, bowl or pitcher, and six-week classes in pottery wheel and hand-building. There are sessions listed online, and people can schedule private lessons.

Hobbs also sells her plates and vases online, at Homewood’s Liz Lane Gallery and monthly at Pepper Place Market. 

For information, call 259-8524 or go to thriveclay.com.