The arts can be a blast.

That was the conclusion reached three years ago by members of the Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation when they searched for a way to highlight the lustrous pottery history of Greensboro, along the Monongahela River, not far from the West Virginia border.

The Foundation came up with the theme "Art Blast on the Mon."

Now in its third year, the three-day Creative Communities Conference and Art Blast on the Mon in Greene County kicks off Friday with workshops and speakers discussing the economic impact the arts can have on small, rural communities and how artists can market their works.

Designed for artists, writers, architects, choreographers, playwrights, sculptors, Web designers and community leaders, the Greene County conference will feature a panel discussion Selling and Marketing Your Art, with Peter West, owner of World West Galleries in Washington; John Fellerman, mayor of Braddock; and Nicole Capozzi, owner of the Box Heart Gallery, 4523 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield.

"Coupled with the Internet, creative individuals can live in a rural area and enjoy the quality of life rural living can offer while still earning a decent living," said Ralph Jannini, vice president of the Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation, who moved to Greensboro from Pittsburgh several years ago. "The conference will address the economic stimulus the arts and crafts industries can provide small, rural communities and the lowered cost of living artists can enjoy living away from big metropolitan areas."

Mr. Jannini, who designs statuary and premium awards on the Internet from his home, said that the mortgage payments on his home in Greensboro are less than what he was paying for rent in Pittsburgh.

The $40 registration fee for the conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Greensboro Fire Hall, Front and Stone streets, includes breakfast, lunch and a day-ending mixer with wine and hors d'oeuvres, admission to the workshops and panel discussions.

To register, call 724-943-4462 or visit www.natgreene.org.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the Art Blast on the Mon will give visitors a chance to try hands-on activities such as pottery making, plaster casting, candle making and ceramic painting in and around the foundation's early 1800s log cabin on the corner of Front and County streets.

Bernard Jakub, a potter from Pittsburgh who moved to Greensboro in early June, will demonstrate how a treadle wheel was used in the 1800s to turn out as many as 350 pots in a single day by a skilled worker.

"I'll also have an electric wheel that people can use to throw their own pots free of charge," he said. "It'll be a chance for visitors to see what pottery making is all about."

At noon, local historian Betty Longo will lead a walking tour of Greensboro's historic district from the log cabin. James Randolph, curator of the Waynesburg University Museum, will talk about Greensboro pottery at 2 p.m., and two local authors, Joie and Amanda Flickinger, will read from their book "Clutch, The Trucking Cat" in the afternoon.

The public can show off that artistic skills in EveryOne's and EveryKid's Art Show from noon to 5 p.m. in the fire hall.

Anyone can enter art in any medium and vie for cash prizes. A separate $100 prize will be awarded for the best photograph. The registration application, $5, can be accessed online at www.natgreene.org.

Throughout the day, music in a variety of styles will be performed by local musicians and singers, and the fire department will sell hamburgers, hot dogs, cabbage and noodles and pulled pork sandwiches at the log cabin.

A variety of heritage arts demonstrations in tatting, blacksmithing, quilting, bead making and glass art making will also take place during the day, and the Mapletown girls volleyball team will offer free face painting and sell nachos and cheese.

The weekend will close Sunday with a canoe paddle on the Mon from 1 to 4 p.m.