Kathleen A. Duncombe is known for her expertise in art and collections. An artist herself, she has taught and mentored many on Nantucket. This season she is bringing back a tradition of trunk shows to Old South Wharf, where she runs Made on Nantucket, a shop featuring paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, art glass, decorative items, and apparel made by dozens of island artists and artisans.
In addition, Kathleen also spotlights pre-owned art and jewelry that she sells for clients who wish to reduce their collections. To showcase these items, she is hosting outdoor Sunday Trunk Shows on the Wharf.
Made on Nantucket’s first 2021 Trunk Show is being held this Sunday, August 22 from 12 noon to 5pm, and will feature a stunning selection of Huichol art that includes framed and unframed pieces, along with ceramics and sculptural items from the same collection. Kathleen’s knowledge of Huichol art comes from collecting it herself during past trips to Mexico. “I fell in love with the images and the spiritual nature of the art—it’s mystical and visionary—I have a huge collection myself at home,” she explained. “I saw them meticulously making the pieces in Mexico…they are beautiful connections to nature, Earth, and spirit.”
The Huichol (Wixáritari in their native language) are an indigenous group from the Sierra Madre Occidental in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Durango, and Zacatecas, Mexico. Recognized globally for intricate, brilliantly colorful, and spiritually significant folk art they create these pieces by setting beads or fiber into beeswax on wood. The artistic techniques and designs have been passed down through generations and brings the spirit world to life. Most Huichol art features symbols, animals, and designs that have had significance to the Wixáritari peo-ple—shamans and healers—for centuries. Their designs were frequently made as offerings to the gods and are believed to hold visions and creative inspiration meant to honor their deities as well as the forces, power, and knowledge of nature and the universe.
Kathleen will be available during this Sunday’s Trunk Show to to talk about the Mexican Huichol art and about the Nantucket artists she represents in her shop, Made on Nantucket. “Hosting these trunk shows allows me to feature new and very special items that I don’t carry every day in my shop… and it’s a fun day on the wharf,” she added.
Next Sunday, August 29, her Sunday Trunk Show will feature vintage pottery by Nantucket artist Peter Lochtefeld, also from a private collection. In September, Kathleen plans to devote several trunk shows to special finds of art, and she will donate the proceeds of those shows to the Seconds Shop and Fairwinds to give back to the island community she loves. She is hoping that the artists will attend and offer demonstration s at some of the September trunk shows.
Made on Nantucket
Open Daily from 11 am at 20 Old South Wharf
To contact Kathleen about selling collections or representing you: 508-228-0110
