By Ashley Reams Dunn
News Editor
SAN ANTONIO — Jack Boyle was always interested in art, but his fascination with pottery didn’t develop until 1973 when he was a fine arts major at the University of South Florida.
“When you declare yourself a fine arts major, you have to take different studio classes,” Boyle explained. He had “an instantaneous attraction” to ceramics.
Boyle owns San Antonio Pottery, a store and studio he opened at 11903 Curley Road in San Antonio 32 years ago. On Dec. 12 and 13, San Antonio Pottery will be one of the stops on the second annual Tour de Clay, an event that will showcase the work of 12 artists at four pottery studios. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For complete list of artists and a map of the self-guided tour, visit www.tampatourdeclay.com.
Boyle is always busy. When he isn’t in his studio, he’s at art festivals selling his creations. In the last eight weeks, he’s been at six art shows. In fact, he went to one last weekend in Tallahassee.
“One of the keys to success: Don’t turn anything down,” he said.
Although he has little time to straighten up his clay-caked workrooms, his entire studio will be Tour-de-Clay-ready by this weekend.
“The place will be majestically transformed,” he said.
San Antonio Pottery is combining Tour De Clay with a holiday open house on Dec. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m., following a kiln opening at 4 p.m.
Entertainment will include Alen Brenia on steel guitar and roots-rock blues, a magic comedy act by Keith Fleming and vocal harmonies by Lea Thomas, Annie Waddey and Mary Epperson of The Marys.
Over the years, Boyle has honed his craft. His pieces are unique and functional and most range in price from $20 to $200. He makes his own glazes, leads classes at his studio and provides demos on his Web site, www.sanantoniopottery.com.
“Jack makes it lots of fun, and we really love it,” said Diann Ditewig, of Lutz, one of Boyle’s students who sells her work at Many Hands Gallery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. “He is incredibly fast.”
Boyle can make a piece of artwork in just a few minutes, but he’s quick to credit his speed to his many years of experience.
“It takes me two to 10 minutes, plus 35 years,” he said.
“In order to be successful in something along these lines, you have to be very passionate,” he added. “It’s an evolutionary thing. You learn in increments. You’re always learning.”
Boyle bought his first potter’s wheel and kiln right after his ceramics class at USF. Then, he found his current space. It was near a restaurant called Cracker Barrel — not the same as the popular country-style chain — and a potter was already using it. Dennis Phillips, former ceramics professor at St. Leo University, agreed to give up the space to Boyle. Phillips and Boyle still see each other regularly. Phillips picks his grandchildren up right in front of the studio when they get off the school bus.
Boyle’s wife, Deborah Gillars, is a 2-D art teacher at Zephyrhills High. They live in San Antonio near the studio and have three children: Sarah Cobelli, 28 and married; Zander, 24 and a student at USF; and Katie, 20 and a student at the University of North Florida.
If you go:
- What: Tour de Clay
- When: Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: Pottery Boys Clay Studio, 30 Bogie Lane, Palm Harbor, (727) 504-6200, www.potteryboys.com
- Location: Clay & Paper Studio, 110 Peterson Lane, Palm Harbor, (727) 772-9570, www.claypaper.com
- Location: Rising Sun Pottery, 1112 West Carmen St., Tampa, (813) 253-6055, ">
- Location: San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley Road, San Antonio, (352) 588-4228, www.sanantoniopottery.net
- More info: www.tampatourdeclay.com
