JUST DOWN THE ROAD. The Imprompt, a new pottery studio and art gallery in Cornell, has popped up in the local visual art scene of the Chippewa Valley. Their debut, 2,000 square foot space offers both studio memberships for ceramic artists, along with low-cost workshops for all ages. (Submitted photo)

A recent rainy road trip took me off the interstate and onto rural roads that snaked and bent into ninety-degree corners. I had to slow down and keep my artist’s eyes on the road and away from the corn fields.

I caught only a glimpse of tassels creating an ethereal copper haze over the rows and rows of precisely planted stalks, too wet now to harvest, yet begging to be sketched. But I had a destination, so I drove on. Eventually, I came to Cornell where it felt as if the entire town joined me in Dylan’s Dairy to escape the rain and comfort ourselves with ice cream.

It was only a pitstop, as I was headed to The Imprompt (100 S 1st St., Cornell). Founded by Marlee Agner, The Imprompt is a community art space, gallery, and pottery studio. Their website states The Imprompt provides a dedicated space for potters of all levels, offering memberships that include valuable wheel time, access to reclaimed clay, a selection of house glazes, and firing services.

The Imprompt art, pottery studio and gallery (pictured above) is located at 100 S 1st St., in Cornell. (Submitted photo)

“Our whole vision is to grow the art community in these neighboring small towns and help artists to have a community willing to share ideas,” Marlee said.

Beyond its functional pottery facilities, The Imprompt is committed to showcasing the rich creative talent of the Chippewa area and beyond, cultivating a curated gallery that features art displays and local vendors, eventually making it a destination for those seeking unique and handcrafted goods.

Located in a 2,000 square foot space, the back half is for the ceramic pottery studio, and the front is a gallery space. “It's a work in progress, and we're doing construction for other projects within the building,” Marlee said. “If you come and see the building, it's a 20-to-30-foot peak warehouse, and it's just huge.”

An array of both local and global acrylic, ceramics, photography, and mixed media creators currently showcase their artwork in the space, and there are tables for doing arts and crafts. Eventually, they hope to add a community studio with a wine and coffee bar and a space to sell the members’ artwork.

Currently, The Imprompt has six active members with a variety of membership options. Members get one free class and a 25-pound bag of clay to start creating. Their work is fired in the kiln, with plans to install more kilns in the future. Ceramic and other art classes are offered on the weekends, and they are looking for artists that might want to host classes.

A guided (and free) art course geared towards kids and teens at The Imprompt, pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Marlee said she hopes to get more pottery wheels so that they can host bigger classes. Some recent classes they offered included a group hand building class for adults and a free youth art class. “For now, we are offering the basics to open the door for people to try creating something new,” Marlee said. “Cornell has a lot of campers and tourists because Brunet Island is right there at the State Park.

“Let's work together to build this art community,” she added. “There's so much potential in Cornell, and The Imprompt provides a vibrant hub for artistic growth and inspiration.”

The Imprompt is located at 100 S 1st St. in Cornell. For more information on The Imprompt, visit www.theimprompt.com. "Behind the Easel” is a periodic column by Patricia Hawkenson, a visual artist and one of the proprietors of Decadent Gifts & Gallery in Eau Claire.