The Sacramento Potters Group / Northern California ART by FIRE, the area’s oldest alliance of three-dimensional artists, was the outgrowth of a conversation held between two potters during a very slow art show in the mid-1970s. The two, having enjoyed the “shop talk,” decided it would be valuable to have regular meetings where potters and other 3D artists, who use fire or extreme heat in creating their work, could share ideas, successes, (or lack thereof), and show news. With the assistance of a local high school pottery teacher and a schedule, the group was born.

Initially the group gathered monthly, with most meetings centered on viewing films, slides, or “how-to” presentations by local artists but occasionally the meetings were of a purely social nature. In the early years the group sponsored a number of small art shows, held at banks or other commercial venues, but as time went by the group became increasingly focused on the business of selling art; doing shows and increasing sales.

Annually, between 1977 and 1997, the group sponsored its “Pot Show” on Father’s Day weekend. The purpose of the show was to provide members and other 3D artists with a venue that would offer a good sales opportunity and to increase public knowledge of and appreciation for hand made art. After a ten- year hiatus, the show is now being held once again on an annual basis at the Shepard Garden and Art Center the Saturday before Father's Day.

Another established annual show is the group’s “Second Sale” which allows members to start each year with a clean studio, devoid of rejects, and to make money on their “less than perfect” pieces. This popular show, that began in 1987, continues to be held the second Saturday in January, has a large number of devoted “Seconds” patrons who can be found in line each year hours before the doors open regardless of the weather.