Usually, artists create their art in a studio and display it in a gallery.

At Hot Shops, they can do both in the same place.

Hot Shops Art Center is a creative haven that provides local artists with both workspace and an area to exhibit their works. It houses over 50 studio spaces and four galleries.

Along with the galleries, artists display their pieces in the shared hallways of the studios, filling the building with a full spread of art, including paintings, sculptures, woodworking, jewelry, ceramics, glasswork, photography and more. This creates a unique opportunity for visitors who can view art in the common areas and then visit the artist who created the work.

The co-operative center is anchored by three main shops, Crystal Forge (glassblowing), Loken Forge (steel and iron production) and Bruning Sculpture (bronze, aluminum and iron sculpting). These heat-driven stores give Hot Shops its name.

Artist Julie Sopscak occupies one of Hot Shops’ studios. She specializes in paper working and printmaking. She has a range of creations, including collages, altered books (commissioned personalized paper collections) and paper marbling, among other works.

Sopscak received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She then went on to the Barker Arts Program where she realized she “needed her own space.”

Sopscak has had her studio space since last year. She recognizes that she could have the same amount of room in her house, but she likes the arrangement at Hot Shops that drives her to work.

“It’s a place where you can treat your art-making like a job,” Sopscak said. “I need the structure, it helps me keep focused.”

Sopscak also recognized the value of having colleagues in such close proximity.

“It’s really a community like back in school. If you get something done, you can go to a neighbor and ask ‘What do you think of this’ and see how you can make it better,” she said.

One of Sopscak’s aforementioned colleagues a couple doors down is Creighton grad photographer Dorothy Tuma. Tuma takes photos mostly focusing on architecture and scenery. She agrees with Sopscak’s opinion on the community.

“It’s a great place. I like the inspiration and affirmation the other artists give me,” Tuma said.

In addition to studios, Hot Shops also offers classes for artists in the making. Artist Dan Toberer has been constructing a new pottery studio next to Crystal Forge. He is building a six-foot kiln from scratch and hopes to finish the space by December to start ceramics classes.

When asked his title, Toberer named himself an ‘artist-in-residence.’ “Of course, that is a blanket term for 80 people in Hot Shops,” he said.

“After all, it is a giant home for artists,” Toberer said.

Hot Shops Art Center is located blocks from campus at 1301 Nicholas St. Doors are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.