The Artery presents “Crackle and Glow: Raku Ceramics.” This vibrant exhibit features Brigitte Chertok’s naked raku and Paula Bellacera’s raku bird masks. Enjoy the show from Oct.

4 to 28, with the reception on Friday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 9 pm. Naked raku, Chertok’s choice, is a technique that uses all four elements — fire, earth, air and water.

Producing this type of raku was very exciting for the artist. The smooth, silky burnished surface of naked raku mimics natural polished stone, which makes touching almost irresistible. Bellacera’s raku masks echo ancient civilization's artistic celebration of animal spirits connection to humans.

Another link to early cultures is their dependence on fire — also an essential to producing the unique quality of raku. The unpredictability of this ceramic technique is exciting and sometimes unexpected. Raku is the art of imperfection.

The Artery is open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.

m.; Sunday 11 a.m.

to 5 p.m. The Artery will be open from 6 to 9 p.

m. on Oct. 11 for the reception of “Crackle and Glow: Raku Ceramics,” which is also part of the Davis Second Friday ArtAbout.

.