Pine Island Potters’ Guild’s ‘Spring Cleaning’ Show and last show until November at Koucky Studios Saturday
Come to the Potter’s Guild end-of-season show this Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and enjoy the work of local artisans exhibiting in the courtyard of Koucky Studios. Saturday’s show is the last showing of the 2024-2025 season.
This end-of-the-season show also honors the age-old tradition of Spring Cleaning! Many of the artists and artisans will delve into the corners of their studios to find hidden treasures to offer at this event, along with their newest works.
This April tradition was passed on to the Guild by Chuck and Nancy Koucky, who have honored this age-old ritual — usually assigned to closets — since they opened their studio in 2001. They pull out previously unseen “seconds” pottery from their season of kiln firings. Many of the other craftsmen will be cleaning out their studios as well, making room for next season’s creations. The show will feature, in part, forgotten works brought out from the back of working studios and into the courtyard sunlight at Koucky’s, where visitors and shoppers will discover treasures.
The show will feature works in pottery, woodworking, jewelry, paintings, prints and sculpture, as well as island-themed décor, candles, perfume oils, children’s books, T-shirts and hats, jams, jellies, local honey, fresh-baked bread, cookies and other sweet treats. There will also be live music provided by the Fiddler and I from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By popular demand, potter Chuck Koucky and some of his students will again demonstrate the art of firing horsehair and sager-fired pottery at 11 a.m. As the name implies, horsehair pottery incorporates hair from the tails and manes of horses into its design. The random lines and patterns, which are the signature of this style, are created when strands of hair are applied to the surface of a hot raku clay pot that has just been removed from the kiln.
The pottery studio will be open as well, should you wish to take a self-guided tour.
This small, inviting venue offers a welcoming environment where you can chat with local artists and artisans, inquire about their craft, and discover opportunities for classes and workshops in our area throughout the year. All works by participating artists and craftsmen will be available for purchase.
Koucky Studios is at 5971 Bay Point Road, Bokeelia For more information about the studios, visit https://kouckystudios.com.