In case you haven't heard about it, just go down to the Oasis -- the Creative Oasis, that is.

The Creative Oasis, located at 133 E. Beaver Ave., is a place where both local and international artists display their work and offer it for sale. Local clientele use the facility for classes and studio time.

"If there seems to be a heavy emphasis on pottery, it's what we do best," said Charles Hughes, chairman of Creative Oasis, Inc.

Children's classes are scheduled to begin this week, while adult classes will begin next week.

Monthly memberships allow students to spend extra time in the studio. Classes give students the raw materials and instruction to create something beautiful of their own.

A special feature this semester will be a wheel pottery class, which is discounted for Penn State students. Spaces are still available.

Jason Monnell (graduate-chemistry) plans to keep coming back and has renewed his membership up through this semester.

"It was fantastic," said Monnell, having participated in a wheel throwing class. "There's a community here that's open and friendly."

Monnell spends about two hours a week at the center creating handmade pottery.

As a nonprofit organization, the Oasis seeks opportunities to host artists and to support the community. Most of the staff are volunteers.

In addition to demonstrating for students at the State College Area High School, the staff provides workshops taught by international artists, from countries like Canada and the United Kingdom.

Relics and donated pieces left by guest artists assume spaces on shelves in the studio's homey lounge area.

"A lot of objects find their own space at the studio. We give a lot of things a home," said Stan Kranc, secretary of Creative Oasis, Inc.

There is a regular core of about eight or nine artists who teach classes Monday through Sunday, Kranc said.

"Everyone participates. All pottery for sale is made by local artists, and most of it was produced in the studio," Kranc said. "Most of us are here because we believe in it. There's really no place else like this in the area."

In the past six years, the studio has changed hands, moving from private to public ownership. "We have the only non-profit gallery in the region," Kranc said.

From glass studio and painting to drawing and fabrics, the downtown studio is used as a multifunctional space especially during Arts Festival time.

Hughes, a former Penn State student from Lemont, emphasizes that the center welcomes both students and professionals. "We try to keep people who are in the education process able to come."

Since April 2002, membership has increased, and now encompasses students in all age brackets.

Innovative ideas are welcome. A class for retirees is in the making, and plans for a celebrity Throw-A-Thon are also under way, tentatively scheduled for the beginning of February. The proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels and a local food bank.