East Otto Holiday Open House
East Otto Holiday Open House
For many, it wouldn’t feel like the start of the holiday season without a visit to Hog-Shed Studio Pottery or Brookside Studio Watercolors for their annual holiday open house! For over 30 years, both businesses have participated in this annual tradition, which was once just a two-day event during the first weekend of November. Now, the event takes place over three days to accommodate even more visitors who look forward to an annual sojourn to one of the most beautiful areas of Cattaraugus County. Both studios will be open to welcome visitors Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6 from 10:00am-5:00pm.
East Otto Country is a group of area artisans founded in 1986 by Michael and Elliott Hutten of Hog-Shed Studio Pottery, located at 8420 Otto-Maples Road in Little Valley. “We wanted to form a group so people could know about and visit the many home-based artisans in our area,” Elliott Hutten explained of the organization, which had consisted of many different artisans over the years including woodworkers, painters, potters, and more. Robin Zefers Clark of Brookside Studio joined the group in 1990 and has participated in the annual holiday open house ever since. Now, Hog-Shed Studio and Brookside Studio are the only remaining members left of the group, and both are excited to see familiar and new faces this year.
For the Huttens, this year’s event is bittersweet. “This will be our final open house,” said Hutten. “After 40 years in business, we are retiring.” In 1982, Hutten opened her pottery studio as a way to supplement her husband’s income and stay home with their two children. Though not a potter, Michael, a registered nurse, is an instrumental part of the business, as he fires the kilns and keeps everything in good working order.
Originally from Buffalo, the Huttens moved to the East Otto area in the early 1980s in pursuit of a more self-sustaining lifestyle. The couple bought a jersey cow, some pigs, a few beef cattle, and planted a large garden to be as self-sufficient as possible. When Elliott decided to pursue pottery, the family downsized their small farm and put their efforts into building a studio. Despite what many believe, the studio is not located in the former hog shed! “This building was a machinery shed,” said Hutten of her studio. “But the building right across the road from us was the original hog shed on this farm. When I was trying to think of a name for my business, I was looking out my window at that hog shed across the road.”
Most of what Elliott makes is high-fired stoneware pottery. “We fire to a high temperature of 2,400 degrees,” she explained. “What we make is safe for microwave, oven, and dishwasher. We have many functional pieces like mugs, bowls, casseroles, and vases. I also make high-fired decorative pieces for the holiday season, such as snowmen, Christmas trees, vases, and holiday designs.” Elliott mixes all of her own glazes and works with moist clay, which comes in 50-pound boxes ordered by the ton. “We’re in our seventies now, so it’s not as easy at it once was,” she explained. “While I’ll be retiring from the business, I’ll always be doing something with clay. I can’t stop being creative!”
While many of Hog-Shed’s customers have been coming in frequently to buy pieces to complete their collection before the Huttens retire, Elliott said she will have a full inventory this weekend. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. Masks will be optional, and pre-packaged refreshments will be served. After the open house, hours are by appointment or chance; the Huttens encourage people to call ahead at 716-244-2967. Visit www.hogshedstudio.com or follow Hog-Shed Studio Pottery on Facebook to learn more.
Robin Zefers Clark of Brookside Studio is looking forward to her 32nd holiday open house at her studio at 8363 Maples Road in Little Valley. Many know Clark for her striking pet portraits, which she does on commission in watercolors or hyper-realistic colored pencil painting. However, she is also a well-known plein air painter whose beautiful landscapes have been featured in several solo and group exhibitions. In fall of 2020, Clark was part of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and Museum of Natural History’s Artist-In-Residency program. This 30-day program gave Clark the opportunity to roam the trails and grounds of the institute, during which time she created a painting a day, all of which were displayed at the RTPI through the end of 2020.
While many of these pieces sold out, Clark is pleased to have reproductions available in her studio for the open house event. “The studio is totally packed,” she said. “I’m still doing a lot of commission work, like landscapes and portraits, for people all over the country, too.” While mainly known for her watercolor and colored pencil pieces, Clark also works in gouache, and many of her plein air landscapes are oil paintings. She will have a little bit of everything available during the open house, including Christmas cards and many smaller reproductions that make great gifts or stocking stuffers. Cash, check, and credit card payments are accepted.
While some customers visit in search of a unique gift, Clark said that many come strictly for original pieces and want to see what’s new on the studio walls. Brookside Studio has a large social media following on Facebook and Instagram, and people from as far away as England have contacted Clark for commissioned pieces. To see more of her work, including demonstrations, follow Brookside Studio Watercolors on Facebook or @Robin_Zefers_Clark on Instagram. Clark also teaches private lessons to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students in a variety of mediums. For more information, visit her website, www.brooksidestudio.com.
