Renee Meyer remembers going to her grandparents' house in the county as a child and digging up clay from the creeks. She would clump the clay into mud pies and then leave it to bake on stones.

When the sandwich shop that Meyer’s family owned in the 80s closed down, she wondered what they would open next. She pitched the idea of a ceramic shop to her father—and he agreed.

In 1994, the Meyer family opened The Ceramic and Pottery Center in League City. Meyer’s parents both worked at NASA, so it was hers to run however she wanted.

“I never really imagined I would open this,” she said. “I just didn’t know what else to do with my life.”

The setup

Customers of The Ceramic and Pottery Center can come in and choose an item to paint or create their own piece out of clay.

Meyer said they also offer several different types of pottery classes, including a class for adults ages 50 and older. She said she enjoys working with such a diverse range of students.

“It’s a fun thing to teach,” she said. “I teach young kids just learning how to do something and older kids trying to remember how to do it.”

The Ceramic and Pottery Center sells seasonal, ready-to-paint pottery for customers not interested in making their own. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
The Ceramic and Pottery Center sells seasonal, ready-to-paint pottery for customers not interested in making their own. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)

What’s changed

Last August, the center moved from its original location in League City to a new, larger storefront in Dickinson.

Even though it's a new building, Meyer said she spent a lot of time painting and decorating the space so it would feel familiar to returning customers.

“You get your brand and your colors, and you want to carry it on,” she said. “It was important to me because my customers knew my building, and I wanted them to recognize it, even if it is now three times bigger.”

Meyer is a member of Salt Grass Potters and displays her work at the guild's exhibitions. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
Meyer is a member of Salt Grass Potters and displays her work at the guild's exhibitions. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)

The impact

The studio tends to get the busiest when schools are out on break or during holidays, Meyer said, as some customers like to make homemade gifts for loved ones. She also sees both young and older couples use the business for romantic dates.

She said some schools have recently discontinued art classes, so it means a lot to her when kids come in and create something outside of their comfort zone.

There’s a joy, Meyer said, she gets when a customer comes back to pick up their art and can’t believe how it turned out.

“[The customer] is like no, no, no, you must have touched it up, and I’m like, I’ve got way more things to do than touch of everybody’s piece,” Meyer said.