Hutto canvas drawing in art studios
HUTTO — Behind the unassuming facade of a line of warehouses, three artists have gathered to foster local arts, working out of a collective studio space to encourage residents to create more.
The trio are based in a newly built complex at 3333 CR 119.
Elizabeth Bonura of Bonura Studios fashions clay and metal sculptures and offers classes. Her work can be found in private collections and public installations across Williamson County.
This spring, Beth Kelleher opened a ceramic teaching studio. Kelleher offers a variety of classes, from one-day lessons for beginners to courses for intermediate ceramists in hand-building and on the pottery wheel.
Also this spring, Sylvia Helfond moved her expansive collection of crafting supplies and settled into the same address. She offers craft classes, a co-crafting space, plus kids’ arts and crafts camps.
THE ART OF ELIZABETH BONURA
Bonura, the principal artist of Bonura Studios, started her artistic journey at the University of Houston. However, she ducked down a side street along the way and ended up in the computer-science field early in her career.
Blending art with technology, Bonura bought a URL in 2000 and opened an Etsy shop in 2007, setting herself up early to find clients online. At first, she crafted one-of-a-kind wedding-cake toppers, then as life progressed, her work did as well.
A work transfer brought her to Hutto in 2021, and she opened her studio in March 2023.
Now, pieces crafted through the studio include family-portrait sculptures in copper, bronze and aluminum. Many of her clients purchase her work, either in free-standing sculptures or hanging holiday ornaments, to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays.
“If you want to make money as an artist, you have to get into production,” Bonura said.
Bonura creates her sculptures using the cold-casting technique, which involves mixing metal powder with resin. The finished sculpture is polished and waxed like a solid metal piece.
However, cold-casting is faster and much less expensive than foundry-casting molten metal, she added.
CLASSESANDCOMMUNITY AT BONURA STUDIOS
After a lineup of summer camps for kids, Bonura will lead more classes in the fall. First up, she is offering a live-model sculpture class for adults to concentrate on the human form. The sessions start Sept. 3 and runs for four consecutive Tuesdays.
When not teaching in her studio or overseeing the production of her family sculptures, Bonura serves on the Hutto Arts and Entertainment Commission board.
Bonura was featured on HGTV’s “That’s Clever.” She recently won first place in the Georgetown Sculpture 2023 and received recognition from the Texas House of Representatives for her cultural contributions.
She offers a full range of family configurations, and each piece is customizable by adding hair and clothing details. Her sculptures can also be engraved.
Bonura Studios is located at 3333 CR 119, Unit 17.
To learn more, visit https:// bonurastudios.com.
BBK CERAMICS STUDIO
Kelleher of BBK Ceramics Studio opened a studio in April in the same complex as Bonura. Here, she encourages, educates and engages pottery students.
Kelleher received a bachelor of fine arts in ceramics with a minor in fiber arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
During her internship, she studied with master potter Leo Grilli in Gubbio, Italy.
She continued her ceramic exploration at Seton Hill University and taught in the ceramics department at The Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn, Delaware.
Kelleher opened a studio in Wilmington, Delaware, before moving to eastern Williamson County in 2021 following her husband’s job relocation.
“Art should be accessible for everybody,” Kelleher said. “I like taking people out of their comfort zone and disengaging people from the average day.”
LEARN AT BBK CERAMICS STUDIO
BBK Ceramics Studio is a teaching space in Hutto with various classes for beginners and intermediate clay artists.
From one-day lessons to multiweek classes on the pottery wheel or dedicated to handbuilding, students can craft several pieces, from a knob of clay to a glazed piece.
Kelleher said fall is her favorite season, especially the spookier side of autumn.
She will offer classes to hand-build pumpkins and festive gnomes for the upcoming season.
BBK Cermanic offers date-night classes for couples who yearn to create together.
These two-hour sessions are held on Friday nights, and couples (or besties) will learn to throw bowls on the wheel or hand-build. Classes start at $70 per person.
BBK Ceramics Studio is located at 3333 CR 119, Suite 26. For more and to register for classes, visit https://www. bbkceramics.com.
CUMBERLAND ART ROAD STUDIO
Cumberland Road Art Studio is the place to explore for those yearning for a space to create. Sylvia Helfond in May opened the spot, which is named after her grandmother’s street.
Helfond, an Austin native, moved to Hutto in 2021. After making handmade cards for several years, she wanted to open a site to cultivate creativity in the community.
The Cumberland Art Road Studio has enough tables and supplies to fill a small craft shop. Visitors can bring projects from home and work uninterrupted.
Guests pay a flat rate of $10 to enter the studio and can stay as long as they want. If they need supplies, Helfond offers most at no additional cost.
Cumberland Art Road Studio offers separate open-studio time for adults and children since each group has a different working style. Groups and parties are welcome and encouraged to reserve a dedicated time for their group.
According to Helfond, she is open to Scouts and birthday parties for kids. The studio allows outside food and drinks, such as cakes and drinks, for parties. She also offers complimentary coffee.
The studio is at 3333 CR 119, Suite 133.
For more or to reserve a time, visit https://www.cumberlandroadart.com.
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