Koucky to lead pottery classes
A seven-week session of pottery classes will begin this week at Koucky Studios for individuals ranging from beginners to advanced level potters.
Chuck Koucky, studio potter, has created pottery on and off since 1972. He said as a youngster he enjoyed watching potters throw, as well as building different stuff.
A potter’s wheel was pretty foreign to Koucky early on, as well as the throw technique. In college he had to take an art class, which pushed him to stumble upon pottery classes, which he took as many as the college would allow him to take.
After graduating from college and throughout his career, he participated in art fairs, as well as running a co-op gallery before owning his own. Koucky said he had an art gallery in Michigan and Naples before moving to the island and opening one in Bokeelia.
Koucky Gallery was recently closed. Koucky said he has his pottery at WildChild Gallery in Matlacha.
About 10 years ago he began offering pottery classes on the island.
“We mix it up,” he said about including beginners and advanced potters together. “The people that have been here for a while help those who are just starting.”
Koucky said he would love to have new people sign up for the class.
In the past, he said some of his students have created pieces of pottery during the class and sold them at the different art/craft fairs on the island.
The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1-4 p.m. The seven-week sessions will be held from now until April.
Koucky said he can also offer custom classes at night if there are at least four individuals interested.
The class is $175 for seven weeks, plus material. Those interested can call 239-410-2852.
Koucky said the classes have a maximum of six individuals. If there are less than four individuals to a class, Koucky has the right to cancel a class.
Each week the class will feature a different piece of equipment for the students.
The first week, Koucky said, they will work with slab rollers to create plates and trays. The second week will introduce extruders to create solid and hollow shaped pieces. Raku firing will be introduced during the third week of class.
Koucky said if the students are comfortable with what they have been taught, he will then introduce them to the potter’s wheel.
“By that time they pretty much understand how the shop runs and are free to do what they want,” he said, adding that he is really flexible.
For more information about the classes call 239-410-2852 or visit www.KouckyStudios.com.