By SANDRA ANNONIO / Community Columnist

Clay, dug from the ground, is considered dirt to most, but to a clay artist it’s better than gold.

Each piece of pottery created captures not only the vision of the artist but exemplifies the melding of imagination, the sensation of touch and eye and the beholder.

There is a group of artists nestled in the county seat of Shelby County who are creating beautiful, handmade, functional art.

The SCAC Pottery Collective is passionate about creating works of art that easily move from gallery exhibit to kitchen table while maintaining their beauty and form.

Handcrafted pottery is like no other art form. In essence it is like a manufacturing process – each piece goes from formation, to drying, and through two high-temperature firings before it can be called complete.

The SCAC Pottery Collective works with high-fire stoneware clay and glazes that are food safe, dishwasher safe and oven safe.

Again this year, the group’s work will be the featured centerpieces at the “Celebration of the Arts Luncheon” on March 12.

This annual fundraising event on behalf of the Shelby County Arts Council is hosted by the Culture Club, the Novella Club and the Vignette Club of Columbiana.

In addition, the group will exhibit on April 1 at Ozan Vineyard and Winery (Calera) and May 1 at Jazz in the Park (Alabaster).

Members of the Pottery Collective include artists Amy Pickens, Byron Smith, Candye Lundy, Debra King, Karen Ingram, Nita Terrell, Pam Britnell, Peggy Wood, Sandra Annonio and Stephanie Dikis.