Q&A with Brenda Brady, who owns Alpaca Art, 4326 Seventh Ave, with her twin sister Becky Leveque.
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A. My twin sister, Becky, and I grew up in Kenosha. We have always liked working with our artistic side. It is important to us to balance our work time with the time we spend with our families and home life. Working in nature and gardening is also part of that balance.
Q. How did you get started in the paint and pottery business?
A. From about the time we turned 18 we had the idea of having our own business, just didn’t know what it was. Thought it might be a flower shop. Then an interior design class at Gateway had Brenda create a business – the design and some of the planning for it. At that time she visited a paint-your-own-pottery studio in Grandledge, Michigan, and decided to do it for her project. With gentle nudging from family, we decided to just do it. Eventually we both quit our jobs and worked full time on building the business.
Q. In the yearly years, Alpaca Art started out in Salem. What made you want to move to Downtown Kenosha?
A. We always wanted to be Downtown. We looked there first, but the cost was a little higher than we wanted for the square footage we needed. We moved there in July, 2009.
Q. What is it like owning a business with your twin sister?
A. It is a constant learning experience for both of us.
Q. Also I heard there is a family inside joke about how you came up with the name Alpaca Art?
A. At the time we first started talking about it, one of the people who were nudging us (Brenda’s father-in law) had been joking about getting a farm, brewing beer & calling the beer Alpaca Spit. We joked- “Alpaca Spit-fired Pottery.” That just kind of stuck. But we switched it to “Alpaca Art” for a couple reasons :We didn’t want to limit ourselves to just pottery (and in the beginning we did offer many different types of art classes to get people interested.) And, in the beginning we made all of our own signs. Alpaca Art is much shorter to paint than Alpaca Spit-fired Pottery.
Q. Can you describe the types of products and services Alpaca Art offers to customers?
A. Mostly walk-in pottery-painting. But we also have pottery-to-go, where you can pick pieces and bring supplies home to paint. We get a lot of daycares & other organizations who do this. We also offer group and company team-building outings. And certain times of the year we offer birthday parties, usually May – November.
Q. What sets your paint and pottery business apart from competitors?
A. From what I hear from the customers – it’s our laid back atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. We really do just want you all to be happy. Also the wide variety and seasonal changing pottery pieces (bisque) that we have available.
Q. Could you explain the process of creating and customizing pottery at your studio?
A. Walk in anytime during open hours to paint, choose a piece off the shelves, decide on paint colors, relax and start painting. If you need some ideas we would be happy to help you figure it out. When your piece is finished, you will leave it with us. We put a clear coat of glaze over it and fire it. You will be able to pick up your fired piece about a week later.
Q. What kind of pottery designs can customers choose to paint?
A. Figurines – banks & box shapes – dishes such as mugs, bowls, plates & platters. Also household items such as vases, spoon rests & frames. And yes- light-up Christmas trees.
Q. Are there any artists that have influenced you or Alpaca Art?
A. Many or all of the employees who worked here have influenced Alpaca Art through the years. Each one had their little contributions which led it to evolve into what it is. We are so grateful for them all. Two of them are now local pottery artists with amazing, elegant work, Betsy Davis & Carley Lyons.
Q. What materials and techniques do you use in your pottery and painting processes?
A. We use low-fire clay bisque pieces. Our studio only offers painting with glazes, which we then fire. Dishes are food-safe after firing. We supply brushes, sponges, stamps.
Q. How big is your studio?
A. Around 3000 square feet, 20 tables.
Q. Could you share some insights into the challenges of running Alpaca Art?
A. Rewards are working in a place where it is full of people and everyone is quietly creating something. The interactions between customers is kindly and very beautiful.
Q. Do you offer pottery classes or workshops?
A. A few times a year we have offered some painting technique classes.
Q. What challenges have you faced in running Alpaca Art, and how have you overcome them?
A. The biggest challenges have been creating that balance between work and home life. Especially when we both had young kids at home. For this we had to learn to trust and delegate extra tasks.
Q. What are some of the most popular pottery and painting projects or themes that customers request or that you have done?
A. There have been themes throughout the years. Right now gnomes and succulents are huge and have been for a while. A few years ago it was Day of the Dead, zombies, owls & unicorns. Mugs are always a popular thing for people to paint.
Q. Do you have a favorite or most memorable pottery project you’ve seen done at Alpaca Art?
A. There are so many. Every time we open the kiln new favorites emerge. One customer did some art study in Italy. Her work is very picturesque.
Q. Can you share any success stories or memorable moments from your journey as owners of Alpaca Art?
A. Starting in April 2020 we offered all our pottery online. Customers could pick out their pieces, as well as which colors they wanted all online and we would prepare their order for them to pick up outside. That was a huge success and helped us get through those few years.
Q. What advice would you give to someone interested in starting their own paint and pottery business?
A. Just do your best, you can only do so much. Get daily operations systemized and try to stick with it. Also give people the benefit of the doubt.
Q. How do you engage with the local community, and do you participate in any art-related events or charity initiatives?
A. We have a pottery-to-go group fundraising option for schools and nonprofits. We also contribute raffle items to local fundraisers.
Q. How do you ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for customers who visit Alpaca Art?
A. Our goal is to provide just the right amount of assistance so that each customer is delighted with their masterpiece. (But not paint it for them.)
Q. Can you walk us through a a typical day at Alpaca Art?
A. It depends on the day. One of the owners is there a few hours early, working in the kiln room. Glazing pieces, unloading & loading the kilns. Another employee comes in about an hour before open to restock, put finished orders together, check that the paint are filled. We open at noon and the friends start to come. Average time spent is about 2 hours. After everyone leaves, we make sure all the tables are back in order and everything is clean.
Q. What do you love about being in Downtown Kenosha?
A. The feeling of community. So much effort and good energy goes into bringing it to life.
Q. Do customers need to make an appointment or just walk in?
A. They can just walk in during open hours. In the winter, on the weekends, it is more likely they will sit sooner if they call ahead for a reservations. Open Wed-Sunday 12-6pm
Alpaca Art is located at 4326 7th Avenue
262-657-4444 • alpacapottery.com
Follow them on FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
Learn more about Brenda & Becky of Alpaca Art as they were featured on the Ktown Connects Podcast. Listen here SPOTIFY • APPLE PODCAST • YOUTUBE
Q&A and photos by Donny Stancato
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(This article first appeared in Vol 16. #4 2023/24 of the Go Downtown Kenosha Magazine)
