The Walworthians: Manca
The Walworthians: Manca
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Evelyn T. Manca
July 06, 1995, The Wayne County STAR Newspaper
Evelyn T. Manca is one of the people in our neighborhood. She does decorative painting on ceramics and other media.
“I took a big chance when I moved my business out here from Fairport in 1987,” Mrs. Manca said during our telephone interview. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done. The people are so friendly and helpful.”
She felt the less congested area would be more conducive for creating and she hoped her students and clients would follow her. And follow her they did. They come from Bergen, Holcomb, Webster, Gates and Greece just to name a few areas.
Decorating ceramic pieces began as a hobby. Her first teacher, Carolyn Stevens, became her mentor. Eve went to school to learn her craft, then apprenticed with Mrs. Stevens until she closed her shop.
Eve said the time was right to open her own, home-based business. It enabled her to be home with her young children, Anitra and Christina, a wife to her husband, Richard, as well as be an entrepreneur.
The entire basement of her ranch style home on Sherburne Road has become her studio. Some of us ol’ timers will remember that Charlie Hack (Hack, not Haak. Haak is another family!) had built a home on either side of his for their daughters. Eve now lives in the one Duane and Karen Hamelink lived in; right across from the new Town Hall.
“I teach decorative painting techniques on ceramic and other media to adults and children,” Eve said. “My students range from beginners to advanced students who have been with me almost 10 years.”
As a Certified and Licensed Ceramics teacher, her techniques are far from the Paint-by-number type. The techniques include marbleizing, stenciling, brushing and staining on ceramics, fabrics, wood and tin.
“I am experimenting with water-coloring on different surfaces this year,” she said with the excitement of a new challenge sounding in her voice.
She charges $3 per lesson plus the cost of tools, brushes and other supplies (about $7). It might seem expensive for the first-time student, but, as you build up your inventory of tools and brushes, you don’t have to buy them again.
During the summer she holds classes especially for children. She has been enjoying working with a 4-H group. The members are charged a flat rate for each project. After the young artists have decorated their item, she fires each project in her own kiln to complete the item.
“It’s like Christmas every time I open the kiln,” she mused. “You can never get exactly the same results each time, yet, every time is exciting.”
Eve’s work has been used by Habersham’s in decorating a Home-a-rama house.
Her work can be found in Potpourri of Gifts, right in Walworth. Lovely white pitchers and collector’s plates with our town’s name on them are available. Custom names can also be painted on these and other items she furnishes Potpourri of Gifts on consignment. Eve also does a special Christmas plate each year.
If you’re interested in signing up for fall classes or need more information about The Village Studio, Eve Manca’s phone is 986-1487.
Thank you, Eve, you are a Walworthian with the accent on WORTH.
August 23, 2017 Up-Date: Evelyn still lives in Walworth and is enjoying retirement.