Walter Hobbs has become a one-man advocate for increasing the accessibility to the artistic process.

On First Fridays and Art After Dark, Downtown Valdosta visitors often find Hobbs creating pottery in front of Artists on Ashley, where he is one of the partner artists.

Recently, Hobbs has been firing his raku pottery on the Webster Street sidewalk in front of the center’s pottery workshop.

This week, the Annette Howell Turner for the Arts places a spotlight on these completed pieces with the opening of “From the Ashes,” the pottery of Walter Hobbs in the Sallie and Harmon Boyette Gallery. The exhibit will feature many of Hobbs’ raku pieces.

Raku is a Japanese process of making pottery usually involving low-firing temperatures and removing pieces from the kiln while they are still very hot. Traditionally, raku artists remove pieces from the kiln and dunk them in water or let them cool in open air. The term “raku” means “enjoyment” or “ease.”

So, being outdoors is part of the artistic process but it also seems to fit Hobbs’ temperament. He has long been a teacher as well as an artist. He spent three decades teaching art classes, including a long run with Hahira Middle School.

He has been working diligently the past several months preparing for this show. Just this past Thursday, Hobbs was busy in the pottery workshop located across the street from the arts center, finishing last-minute preparations for the exhibit opening Monday.

GALLERY

Artist Walter Hobbs’ “From the Ashes” opens in the Sallie and Harmon Boyette Gallery; along with artist Po Chi-Chu’s “Where Did I Come From? Who Am I? Where Am I Going?” the Price-Campbell Foundation Gallery; artist Jacquelynn Buck’s “The Journey,” Josette’s Gallery; Hahira Middle School students, Roberta George Children’s Gallery; East African Collection, Tillman Gallery; Fine European Porcelain, Howard Gallery.

Where: Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 N. Patterson St.

Reception: A free, public reception is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26.

Run dates: Sept. 26 through Nov. 2.

Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays.

Admission: Free.

More information: Call (229) 247-2787; or visit www.turnercenter.org