Third annual Pottery Affaire included unveiling of Loveland art and a special raffle too

By Chuck Gibson 

LOVELAND, OH  (September 22, 2020) – No one could have been happier about the perfect weather than Bonnie McNett, at the Whistle Stop Clay Works third annual Pottery Affaire Saturday, September 12.

Artist Katge Albert (Painting- ‘Loveland, Ohio’) with Loveland City Councilmen Tim Butler and Neal Oury after unveiling her painting during Pottery Affaire September 12 (Alex Eicher)

There were 16 tents with 24 vendors set up with safe distancing to display not only pottery art, but also the art works of several local Loveland artists. The exhibition area included a wide greenway walkway in the middle for people to mill about safely. Whistle Stop Clay Works manager Bonnie McNett also required patrons to wear facial masks.

 “It was great,” said McNett. “It was very well attended with safe social distancing and everyone wore their facial masks – it was easy.”

 

Art from local Loveland artists was sold at the Whistle Stop Clay Works 3rd annual Pottery Affaire (Alex Eicher)

The event included pottery wheel demonstrations and studio tours. McNett says in the past they only exhibited potters art. With all the cancellations of arts and crafts shows due to COVID this year, they added other artists.

“We felt comfortable adding some local Loveland talent,” McNett said. “Mostly we had a very lovely outdoor event to help artists and bring the art show feeling back to Loveland.”

Among the local talented artists was Kate Albert. She spent several years focusing on a painting to portray the Loveland city landscape in a unique way. Her painting “Loveland, Ohio” which resulted was unveiled at the show. Anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm greeted the unveiling. City of Loveland Council members Tim Butler, and Neal Oury joined Misty Brents, Assistant to the City Manager, in accepting the painting for the City of Loveland. 

Some of the beautiful art displayed at WSCW Pottery Affaire Saturday, Septemer 12 (Alex Eicher)

There was also door prizes every half-hour and the raffling off of Tim O’Grady’s special edition Whistle Stop Clay Works 10th anniversary Manhole Cover. More than 80 raffle tickets were sold at $10 apiece with the proceeds going to help Whistle Stop Clay Works during this tough pandemic time.

“I was very encouraged, very happy,” said O’Grady about the results of raffling the special manhole cover. “The money goes to the studio during this tough time it helps.”

Tim said the winners, Becky and Gary Giver really wanted to win the piece and had purchased several tickets to better their chances. There were even people who bought single chances, but said they’d give it to the Giver’s if they won. The Giver’s already have a couple of Tim’s manhole cover pieces they previously purchased hanging in their home

Becky Giver here with the special edition 10th anniversary manhole cover and its creator Tim O’Grady (Alex Eicher)

You can only imagine the excitement when they actually won this one.

“You could hear her (Becky Giver) excitement from outside when she heard her name called,” said McNett. “They were thrilled.”  

Becky and Gary Giver were not the only winners for the day. One of the pottery booths dedicated 100-percent of proceeds from sales to LIFE Food Pantry. They raised $726.00 and presented a check for that amount to LIFE Food Pantry.

Tim O’Grady (Whistle Stop Clay Works Owner & Artist), Linda Bergholz, LIFE Food Pantry Executive ‘Director, Bonnie McNett (WSCW Manager & Artist), Kay Bolin, owner WSCW present check to LIFE Foot Pantry (Alex Eicher)

“I think it was a great event for Loveland,” McNett said. “I think it was a great cultural event to have arts and crafts in a safe way people could enjoy each other in a natural setting, enjoy beautiful weather and beautiful art. The weather was perfect.”

More events and schedule from Whistle Stop Clay Works at: www.whistlestopclayworks.com