Prairie Fire has engulfed the Spiva Center for the Arts located at 222 W. Third in downtown Joplin.

The collection of ceramic sculpture created by Keith Ekstram, Elaine Henry, Kevin Hughes, Jeff Johnson, Howard Koerth, Malcom Kucharski, Lisa Lockman and Marcia Polenberg was grouped together under the title “Prairie Fire.”

As residents of the Midwest, the word “Prairie” seemed a natural fit, as did “fire,” which is an element of the creation process in ceramics. Darlene Brown, director of the art center, described the unique qualities of the collection as evolutionary to the medium.

“Most people think of ceramics as functional pottery,” she said, “but to these professors, their work is more sculptural.”

Functional pottery, such as bowls and pots, will also be on display at the art center in the near future. A series of traditional clay exhibits will be featured, and the center will offer classes in ceramics.

Brown encourages anyone who may be interested to check local newspapers for further information. Offering the opportunity to take a class in art or admire the exhibits is the essence of the art center’s mission.

“Our mission is to provide art experiences to the community through presentations and educational experiences, we bring in work from a regional and national perspective,” said Brown. “We do this to show people locally what’s being done in our region and on a broader scale.”

Lara Blankenship, a junior art education major, works as a receptionist at the art center. She has found the opportunity to work around displays from other artists to be enlightening and was especially interested in “Prairie Fire.”

“I think that the variety is really great,” Blankenship said. “None of the artists’ pieces are alike at all; some are organic and natural looking, some are more geometric and harsh, while others are abstracted.”

The art center, Blankenship said, is a valuable resource to the community and a place of reflection for art students in particular.

“I think it’s a nice quiet place to view some art and to get away,” she said.

The “Prairie Fire” collection will be on display until Feb. 23. Exhibitions usually last a period of six weeks.