Size: 15.25" diameter 

Technique: Enamel paint on glass

About the Artist

"I am a native of Chicago, now a local McKinney artist and writer, active in my community and church groups. My background is a BA in Art Education from the University of Illinois. My passion is sharing my art and writing and talents with the world."

Artist Contact Information

Email: toniandrukaitis@sbcglobal.net

Size: 11"d x 6.5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown, carved, and faceted

About the Artist

"Many happy hours of my childhood were spent sitting at the table enjoying delicious meals with a loving, close-knit, extended family. These wonderful memories and my love of delicious, home-cooked food informs my passion for designing and creating functional pottery. My glaze palette is inspired by my love of the outdoors; cool greens and blues, warm sand, and vibrant turquoise. The textured patterns I often add to my pots come from my love for historic textile patterns from around the world. My pottery is meant to be used and enjoyed; to make every day beautiful."

Artist Contact Information

Email: jburkepottery@gmail.com

Instagram: @jenniferburkepottery

Studio/Business: Jennifer Burke Pottery

Size: 12" l x 13" w x 2" h

Technique: Hand-built Raku fired Sculpture

About the Artist

"After a 30-year career in information technology, my focus, time, and energy have taken a major shift to creating vibrant Raku sculptures, wearable jewelry art, and unusual copper creations. I take every opportunity to explore new concepts and ideas to create one-of-a-kind artwork. From a relatively simple palette of raw materials consisting of clay, metal, and natural stones, I strive to create unique jewelry, pottery, and sculptural forms. I often combine more than one of my media in a single piece of sculpture. All of my pottery is hand-molded and utilizes the Raku firing process that provides unpredictable smoke patterns and spectacular metallic and lustrous effects."

Artist Contact Information

Email: lindachidsey1@gmail.com

Instagram: @lindachidseydesigns

Studio/Business: Linda Chidsey Designs

Website: lindachidseydesigns

Size: 9"d x 5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by SPARC potter, Alex Macias and Underglaze painted by Noriko Dewitt

About the Artist

"I am a self-taught artist who is passionate about teaching and sharing art."

Artist Contact Information

Email: Norikotd@gmail.com

Studio/Business: Noriko DeWitt Art Studio

Website: Norikodewitt.com

Size: 9.5"d x 3.5" h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by potter Amanda Johnson and painted by Pernie Fallon

About the Artist

Pernie Fallon is an award-winning McKinney artist, painting in oil and pastel. This year her bowl commemorates the opening of the Community Garden Kitchen with images taken from the mural she is painting in the Community Garden Kitchen dining hall.

Artist Contact Information

Email: pwfallon@sbcglobal.net

Instagram: @perniefallon

Website: perniefallon.com

Size: 11.25"d x 2"h

Technique: Layers of art glass fused in the first firing then slumped to a bowl shape in the second firing

About the Artist

"My glass designs are uniquely handcrafted with layers of art glass in a vibrant array of colors. Each piece is cut and constructed by hand and kiln-fired multiple times. They are cold-worked and fire polished. My products include home decor, housewares, wall/desk clocks, jewelry, and accessories. My passion for glasswork stems from a love of color and the way glass can transmit and reflect light."

Artist Contact Information

Email: cobaltcreationsco@gmail.com

Instagram: @CobaltCreationsCo

Studio/Business: Cobalt Creations Co

Website: www.cobaltcreationsco.com

Size: 10.25"d X 3.5" h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by SPARC potter, Alex Macias and painted by Leticia Herrera

About the Artist

Leticia is a prize-winning Mexican- American artist who seeks to explore what it means to be human in her art. "I believe in the kindness of humanity. I believe that our diversity is what makes this world interesting. I consider myself an expanding artist because I believe we are always transforming. My work walks with me and changes with me."

Artist Contact Information

Email: leticiaherrera@leticiaherreraart.com

Instagram: @Leticiaherreraart

Studio/Business: Leticia Herrera Art

Website: www.leticiaherreraart.com

Size: 10.5"d x 6"h

Technique: Slab/Sculpture

Artist Contact Information

Email: jason.hinojosa@gmail.com

Instagram: @jmhinny

Size: 11"d x 1.75"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by SPARC potter, Alex Macias and painted by Rex Kare

About the Artist

Rex Kare is an artist and educator currently residing in North Texas. Having received his Masters of Fine Art at the New York Academy of Art, Graduate School of Figurative Art, Rex produces artworks in a multitude of mediums for public and private commission, and exhibition. Many of his artworks can be found around the North Texas area, as well as in collections throughout the United States and abroad. He is also a professor of art at Collin College, in Plano, TX, where he instructs painting and figure drawing courses.

Artist Contact Information

Email: rex@rexkare.com

Instagram: @karestudio

Studio/Business: Kare Studio

Website: https://www.rexkare.com/

Size: 14"d x 4.5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown, Minnesota MB clay, cone 6 glaze

About the Artist

"I have always loved handmade art of all kinds, but had little artistic talent; however, nine years ago I tried pottery and really enjoyed the process. Working on the pottery wheel is my happy place!"
 

Artist Contact Information

Email: kwkelln@att.net

Instagram: @Klwkelln360

Studio/Business: SPARC Potter Studio

Size: 10.25"d x 2" h

Technique: Abstract painted with cone 6 glazes, underglaze pencils and wax resist

About the Artist

Sona Knox is a local Painter and Potter and founder of The McKinney Art House.

Artist Contact Information

Email: Sona-knox@sbcglobal.net

Instagram: @Son.Knox

Studio/Business: Pink Cloud Pottery

Size: 10" x 12" diameter x 3.5" high

Technique: Wheel-thrown & hand-glazed

About the Artist

"I have been a potter for over two years now and am constantly honing in on my craft, loving every part of the process. I enjoy using clay to make something amazing from mud. I love serving the community in any way that I can."

Artist Contact Information

Email address: sheena.laplante@gmail.com

Instagram : @bloominglotuspottery

Studio/Business: Blooming Lotus Pottery by Sheena LaPlante

Size: 12.75"d x 5"h

Technique: Cone 6 firing, handmade on potter's wheel

About the Artist

Alex is a local artist from McKinney and has been doing pottery since she was a little girl. Recently, Alex has decided to pursue ceramics as her career and is working on her undergrad in fine arts.

Artist Contact Information

Email: alexmaciasceramics@gmail.com

Instagram: @alexmaciasceramics

Studio/Business: Alex Macias Ceramics

Website: www.facebook.com/alexmaciasceramics

Size: 11.5"d x 2.5"h

Technique: Bowl wheel-thrown by SPARC potter, Alex Macias. Minda drew the image freehand, hand-painted the bird/flowers, and used a combination of underglaze transfers and underglaze for the leaves.

About the Artist

"I love to draw and I typically use my personal drawings for the Empty Bowls auction pieces."

Artist Contact Information

Email: minda_macias@yahoo.com

Studio/Business: SPARC Pottery Studio

Size: 9.5"d x 3.75"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown using cone 6 clay

About the Artist

Inspired by nature and minimalism, Cynthia creates her pieces as a hobby and meditative expression. She prioritizes technique and utility in her work and enjoys combining her love of abstraction and neutral colors.

Artist Contact Information

Email: Cynxim7@gmail.com

Instagram: @cynxim

Studio/Business:TerraFirme

Website: www.etsy.com/TerraFirme

Size: 13.5d x 5.5"h

Technique Wheel-thrown using Cone 6 clay

About the Artist

Julio started pottery with his wife during the pandemic and has since become quite engaged in the pottery community. This is his first year donating to Empty Bowls. His work is inspired by English and Japanese ceramics.

Artist Contact Information

Email: Guerojo@yahoo.com

Instagram:@guerojo

Studio/Business: TerraFirme

Website: www.etsy.com/TerraFirme

Size: 9.75"d x 4"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown with Slip embellishment

About the Artist

"I enjoy all aspects of clay work from hand building, sculpting, slab work, and throwing. It is wonderful to be able to create both functional and artistic pieces with a lump of clay and your hands and bring it to life."

Artist Contact Information

Email: txmnemeth@yahoo.com

Instagram: @nemethmargaret

Size:20"l x 5"w x 6"h

Technique: Raku fired Elephant ear leaf

About the Artist

"Earthy, organic, and messy."

Artist Contact Information

Email:kerryrj@gmail.com

Studio/Business: Three Dog Studio

Size: 8.25"d x 4"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by Jump Into Art potter, Tim Bednar and painted by Betty Reuscher

About the Artist

"I paint in watercolors and my bowl features that technique. The image is a cottontail bunny."

Artist Contact Information

Email: bettyreuscher@gmail.com

Studio/Business: Betty Reuscher watercolors

Size: 24" l x 6"w x 4"h 

Technique: Slab Built

About the Artist

Heather Bell Richardson is a ceramic artist that lives and works in McKinney, Texas. She is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics as well as a Bachelor of Science in Design with an all-level art teaching certificate from Texas Woman’s University in 1995, she taught Visual Art in the Lewisville Independent School District & was awarded a Lewisville Education Foundation Grant for papermaking. Heather has been working with clay for over 35 years & continues to experiment with the medium to develop new techniques and processes for her work. She is influenced & inspired by objects & textures found in nature. Heather delights in the combination of earth, water & fire to produce tangible and useful works of art. Using stoneware clay, she likes to experiment with different techniques to produce decorative pieces & functional pottery. Heather strives to produce functional work that is something the user wants to hold, touch and use on a daily basis. Her decorative vases are coil built & worked to produce a smooth finish. She has recently had work displayed at the Chickasaw Nation ARTesian Gallery, the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco & in the gallery at the McKinney Art Studio in McKinney, Texas. She is a multi-year participant in the following events: ARTesian Arts Festival, Art of the Chickasaw Woman, the McKinney Art Studio Tour & contributor to the Empty Bowls fundraiser in McKinney, TX.

Artist Contact Information

Email: heather@bell380.com

Studio/Business: Dragonfly Pottery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DragonflyPotteryGals

Size: 8.25"d x 5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown by Jump Into Art potter, Tim Bednar and painted by Joshua Rhodes

About the Artist

Frisco TX-based artist, Joshua Rhodes, has been creating things since he was a child. Always drawing and painting, he is perpetually trying new techniques and mediums to challenge himself to learn more and not grow comfortable. Even creating his art business's name ‘Limnotic Art’ from a laboratory he used to work in after college.

Josh’s main medium is oil paint, with his work displayed in a handful of galleries in North Texas, and, with some pieces being published in September 2021, he continues to push what he believes he can do with his art. For him, art is a very personal and organic thing, breathing, growing, and evolving.

Another important medium is pen and ink, creating designs and drawings that, as he describes, “seek nothing, and emulate nothing”.  UtiliIizing spray paint also, he loves to synthesize an organic theme into the technological aesthetic of the present and future world.

Artist Contact Information

Instagram: @limnotic.art

Website: www.Limnotic.com

Size: 3 Nesting Bowls

9.5"d x 3.5"h

8.25"d x 3"h

7"d x 3"h 

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Amanda creates wheel-thrown pieces with a minimalist aesthetic design.

Artist Contact Information

Email: amarietaylor56@gmail.com

Instagram: @amanda.taylor.ceramics

Studio/Business: Amanda Taylor Ceramics

Size:11.5"d x 3.5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Ms. Bentley created her bowl with the help of SPARC potter, Alex Macias.

Beth is Co-Director of Legacy Keepers of Old East McKinney, an organization with a goal to preserve historical legacies of McKinney’s Black and Mexican communities for generations to come. Beth is passionate about helping historic legacies to live and creating value-added opportunities in educational, community, civic and economic engagement through strategic collaboration.

Beth Bentley| LinkedIn

Size:

Chip Bowl, 12" d x 3" h

Dip bowl 4.5"d x 3"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Mr. Elliott created his One Heart bowl with the inspiration and help of the incredible SPARC potter, Alex Macias.

Scott is Executive Director at One Heart McKinney, an organization that exists to coordinate the WHOLE community to maximize well-being in daily life, and respond to and recover from any community crisis. Well-being includes access to and assistance with:
• Food and hygiene
• Health: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual
• Housing
• Economic Stability
• Education

Scott Elliott | LinkedIn

Size: 12.25"d x 2.5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Dr. Feltus created her bowl with the help of SPARC potter, Alex Macias. The design on the bowl is the logo for the newly formed Feltus Impact Fund, "a nonprofit foundation that will provide scholarships to support women working towards degrees in political science, STEM, or social science so they can build a strong foundation of knowledge."

Geré is currently a member of the McKinney City Council and Medical Director for the Mesquite Employee Health Center. She is an active citizen of McKinney where she has served on the Board of Directors for the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County Board of Directors, the Advisory Council for McKinney's Police Chief, Greg Conley, and the Collin College Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board. 

Gere' Feltus, MD | LinkedIn

Size: 11.75"d x 2"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown and hand-painted

About the Artists

George Fuller and Maylee Thomas are the Mayor and First Lady of McKinney.  They share life in music recording and performing, are co-founders of the Love Life Foundation, and own The Guitar Sanctuary, the Sanctuary Music and Event Center, and the Sanctuary Performance Academy.  George is also an award-winning developer and builder, and Maylee was voted McKinney Citizen of the Year in 2014 and hosts Texas Homegrown Music, a weekly radio show featuring Texas artists. George and Maylee have been sharing life for the past 31 years and have 4 wonderful children and 2 beautiful grandchildren.

George Fuller | LinkedIn

Maylee Thomas-Fuller | LinkedIn

Size:8.5"d x 6"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Judy created her bowl with the help of Jump Into Art potter, Tim Bednar.

As the wife of a former McKinney mayor and lifetime resident of the North Texas area, Judy Gay is in tune with the community and its people. She is an avid volunteer with numerous local organizations and is a retired teacher in the McKinney Independent School District. She was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1985. Judy began her real estate career in 1990 and since 1997 has been a top producing agent with Ebby Halliday REALTORS. The John and Judy Gay Public Library opened its doors in 2009 and is named in honor of the former mayor and his wife. John and Judy were both named “Citizens of the Year” by the McKinney Chamber of Commerce. 

Judy Gay | LinkedIn

Size:10.75"d x 4"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Ms. Shackelford created her bowl with the assistance of Jump Into Art potter, Tim Bednar.

Andrea is the Executive Chef at Harvest Seasonal Kitchen. Andrea always knew she wanted to be a chef. Born in Houston and raised in Dallas, she worked at bakeries, pastry shops, and little cafes through high school and college. She has a passion for sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Almost all of Harvest Seasonal Kitchen's ingredients are sourced from farms within a 150-mile radius—a good chunk of which comes from the restaurant’s Water Boy Farms, overseen by Shackelford, a master gardener herself. In 2015, Shackelford and Rick Wells started The Seed Project Foundation to support local growers and promote sustainable farming through educational, agricultural, and community initiatives.

Andrea Shackelford | LinkedIn

Instagram: @andrea_chef

Size: 11"d x 2.5"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Mr. Tomes created his bowl with the assistance of Jump Into Art potter, Tim Bednar.

Bob has been the owner of Bob Tomes Ford since 1983. He has watched Mckinney grow and is very involved in the community. In addition to serving on several committees for Ford, he is a member and former president of the McKinney Rotary Club. He has been a member and former chair of the board of directors for the McKinney Chamber and has served on the boards for the Heard Museum and Greater McKinney United Way. He was a five-year member of the Board of Directors for the McKinney Economic Development Corporation and also serves the Boy Scouts and First United Methodist Church.

Bob Tomes | LinkedIn

Size: 10.75"d x 3.25"h

Technique: Wheel-thrown

About the Artist

Officer Williams created his bowl with the assistance of SPARC Pottery studio potter, Alex Macias.

Donnie is a McKinney Police Motor Officer, Police Motorcycle Officer Training Instructor, and North Texas Motorcycle Safety Course Owner & Operator. He has been a Police Motor Officer for 18 years and a Police Officer for 26 years.

Donnie Williams | LinkedIn