Cale joins Arts Place team

Katie Cale is fired up for her new role as ceramics specialist at Arts Place.

A graduate of Blackford High School, Cale earned her bachelor’s degree in art from Ball State University. She will oversee the ceramics departments at both the Jay County Campus of Arts Place in Portland and Blackford County Arts Center in Hartford City. Cale will also handle all kiln firings, including the electric and industrial gas kilns.

To welcome Cale, Arts Place is offering several hands-on workshops: “Make a Mug,” “Make a Ceramic Christmas Tree,” “Make a Christmas Ornament,” “Make a Charcuterie Board” and “Tick Tock: Make a Ceramic Clock.”

Program fees range from $10 for the ornament class to $20 for the Christmas tree class. The remaining programs cost $15 each.

“Make a Mug” sessions will be held in Blackford County from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. In Jay County, sessions are scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

The “Make a Ceramic Christmas Tree” program will be offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in Jay County and Nov. 12 in Blackford County.

The “Make a Christmas Ornament” program will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 in Jay County and Nov. 19 in Blackford County. 

The “Make a Charcuterie Board” class will be offered the same days at each location from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Tick Tock: Make a Ceramic Clock” will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Blackford County and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Jay County.

Arts Place will also host private ceramic parties and offer monthly open studio sessions and Fire for Hire classes with Cale.

Under Cale’s direction, Arts Place plans to expand its ceramics offerings in 2026 with new classes in wheel throwing and surface design.

Anyone interested in signing up for classes or events can visit myartsplace.org.