This + That Series Brings Creativity & Community Together
Eva Bennett, Judy Keith, and Amanda Detlor hosted the first This + That Event
For artists Eva Bennett of The Beard and The Bun Pottery and Judy Keith of Clay by Judy, creativity is about more than just making—it’s about community. Their new project, This + That: An Artist Collaboration Series, is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together artists, makers, and small businesses to create something truly special. Through hands-on workshops that blend multiple art forms—from pottery and painting to bread-making and yoga—this series is offering a fresh way for people to connect, explore, and create in a welcoming, no-pressure environment.
The idea for This + That grew from the desire to learn from other makers in the community. “Judy had this idea to learn from other artists, admiring the amazing talent we have all around us,” Eva said. “We (selfishly) wanted to learn how to do other creative things and stumbled on the idea of collaborating. Bringing our love, passion, and creativity for clay to the table and inviting other makers to bring their passion as well.”
The series is also a way to uplift other small businesses in the region, many of which serve as hosts for the workshops. “Times are hard—financially, emotionally—and being small business owners ourselves, we wanted a way to highlight and share the amazingly talented people we’ve met,” said Judy. “But we not only want to partner with other artists, we also want to partner with other small businesses to ‘host’ our classes and highlight them as well. We’re hoping to bring new people through their doors.”
Each class in the This + That series is cleverly curated to blend different creative disciplines, offering participants the chance to experiment and step outside their comfort zones. Upcoming workshops include collaborations like soap dishes paired with handmade goat milk soap from Cornerstone Homestead, pottery and yoga with Weird Flex Yoga, tie-dye and cold cups with Rad Dyes, clay stamp and printmaking with Just A Jar, and even beer stein-making with Parkersburg Brewery.
The goal is to create an environment where creativity thrives without pressure. “We want attendees to come and experience creative community,” said Eva. “No skill level is needed. We hope our classes become a time to forget the outside world and just focus on what they’re creating in front of them.”
“People were mingling, complementing each other, and full of joy. THAT was our vision”
The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. On Saturday, Eva and Judy helped transform Clutch Collective into a cozy, candle-lit workspace with the help of their creative collaborator, Amanda Detlor of Lilahblooms Jewelry. Guided by Eva and Judy, twenty participants made their own clay jewelry and trinket trays, customized clay earrings at Amanda’s earring bar, and enjoyed homemade refreshments. The sold-out class saw participants laughing, mingling, and making art together.
“Saturday was beyond my expectations,” said Eva. “Honestly, I got teary when we started because seeing everyone gathered at one table in such a cozy local small business just gave me all the feels. People were mingling, complementing each other, and full of joy. THAT was our vision, and the fact that it came to life in our very first class was just overwhelming.”
At its heart, This + That is about fostering deeper connections through creativity. By encouraging collaboration over competition, Eva and Judy hope to strengthen the local arts community and create a space where makers of all backgrounds feel welcome. “We want to foster support and collaboration in our community, not division or comparison,” Judy said. “This is an opportunity to see local makers in a whole different way.”
As the series continues to grow, the duo remains excited about the possibilities ahead. Whether it’s learning a new art form, discovering a hidden talent, or simply meeting new friends over a shared fun experience, This + That is proving that art has the power to bring people together in the most meaningful ways.
“Art heals, art creates bridges and connections like nothing else can,” said Eva. “The response we’ve seen to this series lets us know that this is something our community craves and values.”
If you want to experience the magic of This + That (and trust me, it IS magic!) check out the schedule of upcoming workshops and follow This + That on Facebook!