BAY ST. LOUIS -- Katrina took away Brian Nettles’ livelihood, but he was about to get it back after two New Mexico artists rolled into town with a U-haul trailer.
You see, Nettles had made his living making and selling pottery, but Katrina washed away his studio, supplies and $40,000 in art.
“I have nothing to sell,” he says, noting that 80 percent of his annual sales would have been from October to December.
He’d heard some donated supplies were arriving and showed up to help unload, not knowing what was available. When the trailer door was opened, there it was: a potter’s wheel.
Sure, it wasn’t a high-end wheel, Nettles acknowledges, but “mine is a bent piece of metal … kind of square.”
The goodies were delivered by Santa Fe artists Carole Pigott and Conrad Kern. They were donated by Artisan Arts Store in Santa Fe. The Hattiesburg Arts Council in Hattiesburg, Miss., paid for the trailer rental and an earlier shipment of a donated kiln.
Pigott, who was born in Mississippi and spent many a childhood summer on the coast, says the trip was “just a start.”
“I’m going to be into it deeper,” she says, inviting others to help the local arts community by e-mailing her at carolepigott@zianet.com or visiting her Web site for donation options.
Fallen trees become building blocks
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Great story about the Art Angels Pigott and Kern.
Dee Hampton (Sent Dec 6, 2005 2:46:03 PM)
This is what it's about ... people helping where and how they can. Find something that connects for you and MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Courtney, Indianapolis IN (Sent Dec 6, 2005 4:49:37 PM)
An inspiration to all, thank you!
Gary Hager, Johannesburg, South Africa (Sent Dec 7, 2005 5:20:06 AM)
This is what the public needs to be exposed to; it's a rarity to find compassion as this. Something as sudden and unexpected like Katrina trashing dreams- more Piggotts and Kerns, THAT'S what we need.
Luther Satie (Sent Dec 7, 2005 12:41:02 PM)
something every every craftsman has to have...is the tools of thier trade!!!
andy,ms (Sent Dec 8, 2005 9:02:17 AM)
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