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Do you have an artistic eye and creative genius? Are you passionate about art, but realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Can you be a diplomat, teacher and savvy business person in a world of a few egos? If so, then you may have the skills and personality to create a whole new career for yourself as a fine art and craft studio and gallery owner. A VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Nancy and Chuck Koucky (pronounced KOO-ske), owners of Koucky Gallery in Bokeelia, Florida (just 50 minutes from Fort Myers), will give you the opportunity to explore both the artistic and practical side of studio and/or gallery ownership. Growing up, Chuck never took an art class, while Nancy’s favorite class was art. She decided in the fifth grade she wanted to be an artist. “I remember my dad being supportive, but questioning me about whether I REALLY wanted to do this,” says Nancy. Both Nancy’s and Chuck’s families were more focused on academics than art. “They looked at art as an avocation, not a vocation,” explains Nancy. But, Nancy and Chuck seized their passion for art and followed it. They compromised with their families by attending college, but they pursued art-related degrees. Chuck received a degree in fine art (pottery and printmaking), and Nancy earned a degree in art history. They married in 1978 and began a journey that would feed their artistic souls and build a strong marriage. Self-proclaimed former hippies, Nancy and Chuck purchased a 40-acre farm in northern Michigan which became the site of Chuck’s first pottery studio. Nancy turned her artistic talents to weaving (she would later go into jewelry design). “The farm house had 23 broken windows, no running water in the kitchen, and we raised pigs, ducks, geese and chickens,” says Chuck. Eventually, Chuck built a barn which became their studio and later a showroom. In 1986, Chuck took a break from production of pottery and opened the first Koucky Gallery in the beautiful Lake Michigan resort town of Charlevoix, Michigan, which showcased their own works as well as those of more than 100 artists and craftsmen. The success of the gallery did not allow for studio work, so they sold their studio and concentrated on expanding their galleries by opening a second gallery in Naples, Florida. However, in 2001, they were ready to get back to making their own creations and found just the right place to do that, as well as continue their gallery business. When they purchased “Old McGowan’s Farm,” a charming plant nursery in Bokeelia, Florida, they knew this was the place where they could foster a unique and creative atmosphere in which to live and work, combining their home, pottery studio, gallery and tropical plant nursery in an island setting. Today, an old, open-air building serves as Chuck’s pottery studio where he teaches a variety of traditional, functional firing techniques using kilns he has built himself. A number of other workshops and classes are also offered by artists whose works are showcased in the Koucky Gallery. Approximately 50 artists display their works in this onsite craft art gallery. “We have intentionally scaled back from the more than 300 artists we used to work with when we had our two previous galleries,” says Chuck. Having owned and operated both large and small galleries, Nancy and Chuck bring a long history of experience to working with craft artists. “We try to help the artists understand where their art fits and who is likely to buy it,” explains Nancy. “We strive to be diplomatic, but artists do need to develop a thick skin and learn to listen to what people are saying about their work.” Chuck and Nancy learned this early on by taking their creations to street fairs. “Potential buyers talk about your work as though you were not there. What a humbling experience,” remembers both Chuck and Nancy. Chuck and Nancy help artists understand the business side of their art. “Some of the best artists are the worst business people,” laughs Nancy. They remind the artists that although they should always feed their artistic soul, the selling and creation of art is a business, and you have to be able to sell your product to stay in business. They also work with artists in helping them to build the confidence to display their work. Over the years, Nancy and Chuck have worked with many interesting artists, students and clients. Anyone we know? “Lots,” say Chuck and Nancy. The list of Koucky Gallery customers includes everyone from well-known actress Rita Moreno to the woman who is the voice of Marge Simpson to the one of President Bill Clinton’s Cabinet members. Your VocationVacation with Chuck and Nancy in their island paradise will include some or all of the following activities: Craft Art Studio Owner
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| (Not included in the price of the VocationVacations® holiday) Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure: Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions: Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd. |
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