When Robert Isenberg learned that the Pottery Dome in Springfield Township was being built, he assumed the owners already had artists lined up to supply the ceramics gallery.

But he went over to talk to owner Lois Hamilton anyway, and, pretty soon, he was throwing pots in the basement while the dome was being built over him.

Isenberg's experience was limited. The Springfield Township man had studied at Slippery Rock University but didn't graduate and hadn't been making pottery more than a handful of years.

"It was really blind luck that I ended up here," he said in the Pottery Dome studio, wearing dust-covered T-shirt, shorts and sandals. "There are people with degrees who are looking for something like this."

Working full time at the dome, the Slippery Rock native makes special order pieces, such as two place settings he's making for a Columbus, Ohio, family; display items for sale at the gallery; and his own creations.

"She (Mrs. Hamilton) gives me the freedom to make whatever I want as long as I get my orders done," Isenberg said.

The personal pieces are earning Isenberg attention in the art community. His large "Temple Jar" was named Best of Show in the 28th Annual Hoyt Regional Art Exhibition at the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, New Castle, which opens Tuesday.

Isenberg, 31, said he was shocked when he heard of the award.

"Painting and sculpting kind of get more consideration than ceramics," he said of shows open to many media. "You don't see pottery getting best of show at these kinds of things too often."

The juror was Akiko Kotani, a Slippery Rock University art professor. That made the award all the more satisfying to Isenberg.

"She really does amazing work," he said of the fiber artist. "To be recognized by her means a lot to me."

Isenberg has a second piece, "Stoneware Platter," in the show, which runs through June 14.

The married father of one, who is due to be a father again in August, said he has always been artistic and worked with modeling clay as a kid but wasn't introduced to ceramics until he started at SRU in 1991.

"I thought I would be painting figurines, stuff like that," he said. "I didn't know anything about wheel-throwing.

"I wasn't any good the time I was there, but it interested me and I read up on it."

He also watched other ceramists, particularly at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, and still finds inspiration and tips from other artists.

Isenberg said he enjoys making large pieces -- his biggest stand about 5 feet tall -- that are strictly for aesthetic enjoyment, and smaller pieces that can be used in everyday life.

"You can do anything with a bowl -- put paper clips in it, eat soup out of it or put it on a shelf," he said.

The largest pieces, in which he adds strengtheners to his preferred basic stoneware clay, are made in sections, fashioned with lips so they can be stacked.

Not a big fan of experimenting with glaze recipes -- "I work more on forms and throwing," he said -- Isenberg is always looking for new textures, carving designs and patterns to try.

Wood works are a favorite source of inspiration, including wood-fired Japanese forms and the sculptures of Thaddeus Mosely.

"It's like a real soft wood," he said of wet clay. "You can carve it."

The Hoyt has carved out a slot in its exhibition schedule to give Isenberg, who has been teaching at Grove City College, his first solo show in November.

"I'm kind of excited about it, and nervous, too," he said. "I'll be less nervous in a couple of months when I have eight or 10 of these big pieces sitting around here."

Isenberg said he's looking forward to seeing his works in the Hoyt's Blair Sculpture Walkway.

"They always put on nice shows, and it's an attractive place to have them," he said. "They seem to work pretty hard to put on a good show."

Other local artists with works in the Hoyt Regional are Sean McConnor of Greenville, who was given an honorable mention; Andrew Hazelton of Grove City, who earned two director's choice awards; Clara Wick and Betty Lambert of Hubbard; Elizabeth Rundorff of Hermitage; Larry Fairchild of New Wilmington; and Marlene Communale of Sharon. A reception is set for 2 to 4 p.m. May 19. Information: (724) 652-2882 and www.hoytartcenter.org

Isenberg and McConnor also have works in the 79th Annual Spring Show at the Erie Art Museum. Information: (814) 459-5477 and www.erieartmuseum.org