The brightly colored space of The Mud Room, a downtown Columbia art studio, is filled with pieces of creativity. Ceramic bowls and plates are arranged neatly on shelves beside more curious shapes and figurines.

Downtown Columbia is home to several studios, such as The Mud Room and The Canvas on Broadway, where the public can explore their artistic abilities.

“Anything we create is art,” says Courtney Hawk, the owner of The Mud Room. “Art can be found in nature. Art isn’t always a finished product — it’s the act of doing something creative.”

When customers come into The Mud Room, located at 1103 E. Walnut St., they choose which piece of pottery they would like to paint. Following careful instructions that are written neatly on a sign on the wall, customers dust off their ceramics and begin to work.

“It’s a place to be creative,” Hawk says. “This is a paint-your-own-pottery shop, but we also do some clay working, mosaicking and mobile studios.”

Using mobile studios, the Mud Room staff can share their product to customers beyond the downtown location on Walnut Street. These off-site events are often fundraisers, where the event holder can earn 30 to 50 percent of the profit sold on each item. The Mud Room visits schools, sororities, day cares and senior centers, providing community members with the chance to try something new.

“It offers them an opportunity to create something even if they don’t consider themselves an artist,” Hawk says.

Many customers enter the store claiming they aren’t an artist. Hawk says that everyone can be an artist, and everyone has the potential to design a genuine piece of art.

Another outlet for creative expression is The Canvas on Broadway, located at 706 E. Broadway. Run by Stephanie Hall and Angela Bennett, this studio directs painting classes for the novice and the expert. This establishment plays background music and serves drinks during class to foster a laid-back atmosphere that is encouraging for all who enter through the doors.

“You don’t have to have any artistic background,” Hall says. “You don’t have to know anything about art. At the end of the class, you are going to leave here with a finished awesome painting to hang on your wall.”

The Canvas on Broadway opened three years ago; the idea was a product of two friends, one winter night and plenty of painting. Hall and Bennett wanted to replicate their experience for others in the community who want an opportunity to make something beautiful while socializing.

“We have customers of all ages and all types,” Hall says.

The earlier classes are full of families and younger adults, while the evening classes tend to draw a varied crowd, including people on dates, groups of women and friends looking for a unique night.

“Our 9:30 p.m. classes on Friday and Saturday night are a little bit rowdier,” Hall says. “We play the music a little louder, and people are partying a little bit more.”

But no matter which class you attend, you are guaranteed to leave with a piece of art worthy of your wall.