D.J. Saint Clair says the little calico cat roaming the studio might be feral, but ever since the Clay Arts Guild earned its nonprofit status and finished its major expansion, the feline looks content to stick around.

The guild’s 30-plus members aren’t complaining either. With 11 new studios and 1,000 square feet of additional space dedicated in co-founder Janice Hollow’s name, the Clay Arts Guild has turned a corner in its young history and looks to push forward with a new feather in its cap.

“The idea was to provide a better community space,” said Saint Clair of the recent expansion. “Our mission statement has always been to provide clay arts to the community. We needed to follow that, so we expanded. It’s more open and accessible now to other artists.”

Four years ago India Bauer discovered her own interest in ceramic art. She’s been a member of the guild ever since and is delighted by the recent expansion and the room it provides.

Bauer filled her new studio Monday with works in progress. The light is bright and cheery, and with the work of other artists lining the shelves, inspiration is never far away.

“The expansion is fabulous,” Bauer said. “We were able to clear up our waiting list for studios. It gives us a lot of room to work.”

Out on the patio, a gas line feeds the fire burning inside a kiln. The white-hot clay baking inside glows when Saint Clair removes a brick from the oven wall, exposing the belly of the furnace.

Artists at the guild already have several kilns at their disposal. Saint Clair shows off the pots, bowls and vases while describing their finishes and the firing techniques used to achieve them.

By fall, the guild’s new salt- and soda-fired kiln will be up and running, leaving artists with one more finishing option. Work sold on Saturday morning at Helena’s Farmers Market will likely become more ornate.

“You dump salt or soda in at a precise time and it coats the pots,” Saint Clair said. “It creates a beautiful effect. It’s a little more interactive and the results always vary.”

As Saint Clair meanders through the studio, he talks about how the Clay Arts Guild was founded in 1999 by several local ceramicists, including Janice Hollow, who shared a passion for the art. They pooled their resources together, opening a small studio here on Helena’s east side.

“It started on a shoestring budget,” Saint Clair said. “They provided everything themselves. It was a big undertaking.”

But the early years weren’t always kind. The guild hit tough times and considered closing. In a last-ditch effort, Saint Clair said, the artists invested several thousand dollars in a kiln to keep the place open.

“That changed things around,” Saint Clair said. “It was a shot-in-the-dark but it paid off. It brought more people in. The guild grew because of a roll of the dice.”

The proverbial dice have been rolled again. With its expansion complete and its nonprofit status secured, the facility looks to begin raising funds, starting this month with an open-house and dance.

The mayor is expected to give a proclamation, declaring Aug. 29 “Clay Arts Guild of Helena Day.” The recognition is well-deserved, as the guild donated 600 ceramic bowls to the Empty Bowl benefit last year and plans to so again this year.

Next month, Bauer will lead a beginning hand-building class, which includes instruction on the basics on glazing. Anita Shontz will also offer a beginning throwing class.

“Without this space, we wouldn’t have any room to work,” Saint Clair said. “This is a win-win for us.”

To find out more, call the Clay Arts Guild at 449-6080, or visit the guild at 3025 Bozeman Ave. #2 in Helena.