Minutes north of Richmond County on Highway 220 North you will find yourself in a tiny town named Star.

While there might not be any flashy neon signs offering a movie theater or chain restaurant, there is something to see.

STARworks Center for Creative Enterprises, is part of Central Park N.C., a non-profit organization “helping to grow a new economy based on the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.” STARworks is comprised of STARworks Glass, STARworks Ceramics, an organic garden and a biofuel plant which will likely start producing biofuels later this year.

On Friday, from 5-7 p.m., STARworks Ceramics will open its doors to the public showing off the machines used and products created at the studio.

STARworks Ceramics specializes in North Carolina clay from the Candor/Ellerbe area and samples of the clay will be available for local potters during the open house.

The open house is an opportunity to meet STARworks ceramics artists Takura Shibata, Hitomi Akebi Shibata and Santiago Ramirez, as well as an opportunity to find out about classes the studio will offer this fall.

“This is a great networking opportunity,” said Crystal Beasley, communications coordinator for Central Park N.C.

While at STARworks Friday, visitors can also find out more about STARworks Glass, a glassblowing studio offering classes once a month, and a three-hour workshop every second Saturday of the month.

The three-hour workshops are designed to introduce people to the world of glassblowing who may have not had any previous knowledge or experience with this particular art form. The studio also offers a glass fusing class, an introduction to glassblowing class, as well as a more intermediate glassblowing class — all of which are open to the public, but there is a fee.

The glass studio will host an open house Sept. 18 from 5-7 p.m. and will have demonstrations, complimentary food and beverages, as well as more information about upcoming classes.

Beasley said Central Park N.C. is also looking into starting a design program that would teach high school students how to design Web sites, brochures and other items, while also giving the students the tools they’ll need to go back into the community and put their newly-learned services to work for them.

STARworks is located at 100-D Russel St. in Star.

To find out more about STARworks, the products they create and the many number of opportunities available to the public, visit their Web site at www.starworksnc.org, or call 428-9001.