HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As work continues on the new Clayworks facility in Hutchinson, the McPherson site has worked to expand its reach. Disability Supports of the Great Plains designed the opportunity for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to not only create art, but to turn that art into a business.

A friend of Clayworks brought the art to the attention of a gallery in North Platte, Nebraska. Now the pieces of art are being sold at the Prairie Arts Center. According to Teresa Preston, who is the program manager for Clayworks, the pieces that were taken to PAC have already sold and they are preparing to send more.

The best part of a program like Clayworks is that clients who create the ceramics get 100 percent of the sale. Preston says many of the clients take it as a job and work five days a week to generate revenue for themselves. The ability to make income is important when the unemployment rate for those with disabilities can run over 70 percent.

Meanwhile, work continues on the Clayworks facility in Hutchinson. The building on North Main is expected to be completed later this spring.