A breezy fall evening calls for a cozy afternoon inside. As the chilly season approaches, crafting meaningful pieces of homemade art won’t be far out of reach.
If you decide to spend that evening at Artistree Pottery, expect to be greeted by some stunning young women who will welcome you with a smile and an interest in what brought you through the door.
Artistree Fayetteville opened its doors in September 2025, and after one year of pottery-painting fun, the team aims to curate a full experience by partnering with other local businesses.
The store features a wall filled with a variety of ceramic pieces that customers can choose from to paint. The shelves are filled with pumpkins and fall decor in preparation for the autumn season. Using their imagination, customers can paint a piece of their choice, which will be fired in the kiln and returned to them in just one week.
Anyone can agree that we love our Fayetteville businesses because of the connections we make with their owners and employees. From cleaning tables and paintbrushes to owning and operating Fayetteville’s very own Artistree Pottery location, Claire Underhill is determined to help everyone who walks through her doors feel welcome and encouraged to tap into their creativity.
Underhill first walked through the doors of the shop in Springfield, Missouri, when she was 21. She soon recognized her love for painting pottery, and after a few months, she applied for a job. When Claire met the owner, Rachel Barks, for an interview, she worked closely with her throughout her first three years.
Underhill’s dedication to and love for Artistree continued to grow, and the bond between Rachel and the business extended to Claire as well. As Barks began taking Underhill under her wing, her trust in Claire grew, and Claire became a major part of the shop’s history.
“She’s very much my mentor,” Underhill said.
This cozy shop is the perfect place to wind down as the weather gets cold and the leaves change colors. Underhill believes her team is what truly makes the space feel so inviting. Every employee she has hired has shown her a genuine interest in making Artistree better because of their own love for the business.
“It’s very much the team that makes this environment,” Underhill said.
Seeing their creations come to life and building connections with the shop’s staff are pivotal parts of the process for customers. Claire looks for hospitable qualities in every interview, believing they are the most important part of the hiring process.
“I can’t teach you how to create a welcoming environment. I can’t teach you how to make this an environment that people want to be around for your own attitude, so when I’m hiring, that’s really what I’m looking for. Can you make that environment, and will you fit in?” Underhill said.
Before Artistree came into the picture, Savoy Tea Company occupied the space. Claire said that when she would visit Fayetteville, Savoy stood out to her so much that she wished she could have a spot just like it. Only a few short months later, she was stunned to find that Savoy had moved to fully online orders and the building was up for lease.
Claire and Rachel contacted their realtor as quickly as possible. The rest of the story was set in motion, and Artistree blossomed in Fayetteville. Underhill’s vision for renovating the space came to life with lots of help from Barks, Claire’s family and her loyal employees.
“Around Artistree, everything has just fallen together so beautifully,” Underhill said.
To cultivate an inclusive environment, Underhill has sought out like-minded individuals who can extend that welcoming spirit beyond her own interactions with customers. Gianna Berti, the social media manager at Artistree, was one of Underhill’s first employees.
“I was thinking, ‘What the heck am I going to do with my journalism degree?’” Berti said.
Gianna has utilized her skills to promote Artistree so effectively that several local partnerships have taken place. Collaborations with places like Fayetteville Tea House, sorority events and holiday celebrations have given Artistree momentum. These partnerships bring customers together to connect with one another and craft handmade collectibles that can last forever.
One observation Underhill made after the location’s first full year of operation was that many people who walk into the shop have an emotional connection to the craft. Some customers remember a family member creating pottery or having a hobby of painting when they were young.
“It’s something that I never would have thought would resonate with so many people, just the medium itself. But it’s really lovely how it does,” Underhill said.
As people continue to explore their artistic sides, Artistree will continue to foster memories for families and friends, one ceramic piece at a time.
TITLE: Vintage Ceramic Pieces and Special Keepsakes
Did you know that Artistree also has several vintage items that people can request to buy and paint. Underhill shared that a family brought several vintage items their grandparents collected back in the 70’s and 80’s. This collection included several Christmas themed items.
Underhill also mentioned that several people love to create custom birthday plates and wedding platters. Painting something that you can use for several years to come is a popular way to keep your pottery in use. Some customers even spend weeks on just one item to get their paintings looking exactly the way they want it.