If you missed superstar Jon Burns’ widely and wildly publicized August exhibition, fret not. DeSoto Pottery Studio is hosting a pop-up group show and fundraiser in conjunction with MidCoast Fine Arts. The Friday-Saturday event features many arts by Jon and other local makers in a clever recreation of their natural habitat.

A swanky* opening reception is from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, September 13 at DeSoto at 2324 3rd Ave in Rock Island. You can still purchase works the following day – that’s Saturday, September 14 – from 11am to 4pm. Access the pottery studio through the building’s rear doors. Park out in front and walk around back OR make use of the empty lot in front of the spooky abandoned liquor store.

Catastrophic flooding and a levee breach closed down Bucktown, MidCoast Fine Arts’ Davenport center. While Bucktown reopened several weeks later, their entire stock of program supplies was lost. In other words, this fundraiser is critical.

MidCoast is community-driven. So is DeSoto. The pottery studio is constantly working to increase community involvement, in fact. They have a load of supporters, including (but not limited to) all show participants: Amber Williams, Joel Knanishu, Jeff Tady, Marc Showalter, Jon Burns, Eric Olson, Brittany Klarkowski with more TBA. Hand-feeding the artists is acceptable, but please bring your own kibble.

While I can’t speak for all, my stuff will be priced to move. Did I mention I’ll have some pieces for sale? Forty percent – that’s 40% – of all sales go to MidCoast and DeSoto, so bring your checkbook. Just kidding; I know you have no idea what a checkbook is. We prefer cash anyway so we can cheat on our taxes.