Local artist to talk about her coral reef-inspired pottery at Fire Arts in South Bend

SOUTH BEND ― Clay potter and educator Cynthia Cooper will talk at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 about her exhibit, “Gifts of the Sea,” that is on display through Oct28 at Fire Arts Inc., 305 E. Colfax Ave. Fire Arts will be open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7 as part of the First Friday events around downtown. 

Cooper has been working as a professional clay artist in her native Goshen since 1992. Her exhibit is inspired by her love of the ocean, specifically the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. Her first experiences of snorkeling and scuba diving were cathartic and shaped her ceramics. Each piece is an experience of nature at a reef, above or below water, with sea turtles, undersea fantasy “Shepots” and an abstract egret. 

Admission is free. 

For more information, call 574-282-2787 or visit fireartsinc.com.