SALISBURY — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College fine arts students will learn more than just creative skills this fall when Pottery 101 hosts ceramics classes at its downtown studio and retail shop.

Pottery 101 owner Cheryl Goins will share her experience and insight into entrepreneurship and success as a small business owner.

Thanks to a partnership between Rowan-Cabarrus and Pottery 101, students in the college’s associate in fine arts in visual arts program will study and work alongside professional artists and learn how they can transfer their artistic talent to the workforce.

As a kickoff to the partnership and fall schedule of classes, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at Pottery 101, 101 S. Main St. The informal event will include pottery demonstrations and an opportunity to learn more about ceramics.

“We are fortunate to operate in a community that is so eager to share its talent and resources to help our students grow and move forward with their interests and careers,” said RCCC President Carol S. Spalding. “By joining forces with Cheryl Goins, we are able to expose our students to a talented, local business owner who can take their education to the next level.”

The collaboration with Pottery 101 continues the college’s history of outreach classes in the community, including darkroom photography classes at Waterworks Visual Arts Center.

Pottery 101 features a gallery of pottery by artists from across the Carolinas, including Goins. It offers a selection of jewelry, woodwork, stained glass and wall art. The space includes a private studio and a teaching studio for pottery classes.

“We are so excited for our talented ceramics instructor, John Williams, to conduct classes at this beautiful gallery and working studio so that our students can experience a real-world arts business,” said Jenn Selby, director of philanthropy, transfer and the arts at Rowan-Cabarrus. “The culture, atmosphere and people of downtown Salisbury combine to create a great environment for creative learning. We believe this collaboration will not only benefit our students, but will ultimately strengthen our community.”

In addition to the visual arts transfer degree, Rowan-Cabarrus also offers an associate in applied science degree in advertising and graphic design. For more information, visit https://www.rccc.edu/finearts/.