The glint of gold that adorns some of Kevin Pearson's raku-fired pottery is one of the artist's favorite things about his latest series of pots.

"I like the way the glint of gold contrasts with the softness of the rest of the piece," said Pearson, who will be exhibiting his work at this weekend's Monument Square Art Fair On The Lake.

A similar glint can be seen in Pearson's eyes as he discusses his work and art in general. Listening to the chair of the art department at The Prairie School talk about pottery, glass blowing and more, it is a wonder if every student who comes through his classroom isn't swept up in his enthusiasm for the creative process and all it offers both creator and observer.

Pearson discovered the joy of that process for himself more than 30 years ago while apprenticing under a professional potter named Karl Christiansen in Wilton, Iowa. Originally figuring he would be a painter, Pearson became enamored with the clay medium under Christiansen's tutelage and has been throwing pots ever since.

"It was really the clay that chose me," he said,

Learning to work on a potter's wheel was hard create at first, Pearson said. The challenges of the medium are what eventually endeared him to it, he explained, and the opportunity to work under Christiansen not only allowed him to learn the art form, but how to run a potter's studio as well.

"I really worked at it and learned to appreciate those skills. That's when I knew what I wanted to do, and I hit the ground running."

One of a kind

Pearson's early career was spent making a variety of fine stoneware pieces from teapots and mugs to casseroles. He and his wife, who also teaches art at Prairie, ran a studio and gallery in Egg Harbor from 1974 to 1985 before coming to Racine. He has also been showing his clay work and blown glass at galleries and art fairs throughout the Midwest since 1973.

While he dabbled in the raku firing process as far back as his college days, it wasn't until about four years ago that he began focusing on the one-of-a-kind pieces he will be showing at this year's Monument Square Art Fair.

Raku is a ceramics firing technique with roots in ancient Japanese culture. It involves taking pots - still red hot from the kiln - and putting them into containers with combustible materials such as newspaper or dried leaves. The heat from the pot causes the combustible materials to ignite, which in turn fills the container with smoke. Any unglazed portion of pottery absorbs the smoke and turns black, while glazed areas may crackle from the extreme temperature changes.

It is a process that Pearson says still excites him every time.

"You just don't know how it is going to turn out because it never comes out the same way twice," he said. "Each piece is really one of a kind."

Even if you try to duplicate something, keeping accurate track of temperature and time, the results will still vary with each pot, Pearson said.

"It keeps you humble."

The potter is also very enthusiastic about the Monument Square Art Fair, which he has been involved in since the mid-1970s. It is one of his favorite art fairs because the volunteers who run it make it a very pleasant experience for exhibitors, as well as fairgoers. He also enjoys being able to visit with customers who return year after year.

One of the fair's "Award of Excellence" winners last year, Pearson said his sales have always done well at the annual event. What he appreciates even more than that, however, is the opportunity the fair gives him to show his work to a wider audience. It's not about the money as much as it is knowing that something you've created is valued by someone else, the artist said.

"If they get as much joy out of a piece as I do making pottery, that completes the circle for me," he said.

Beyond the art

Pearson is one of more than 100 artists from throughout Wisconsin and around the country whose work will be featured at the juried fair, which has been bringing people to Downtown Racine since 1962. About half of the participants are Wisconsin artists, including 20 from Racine. Other states represented include Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida and North Carolina, according to Bob Andersen, artist coordinator for the fair. And the work they will be exhibiting will include paintings, photography, baskets, clay pieces, collage, enamels, fiber work, glass, graphics, jewelry, metals, sculpture, wood and more.

In addition to the artwork, fairgoers can enjoy live music for free, as well as food and beverages which will be offered for sale by several vendors, On Saturday, Pleasant Memories will perform from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Dave Braun Trio will play from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday's musical entertainment will feature Mark Paffrath from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by Carol Christensen's Racine Symphony String Quartet from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Food vendors will include Uncle Ed's Barbecue Grill, Uncle Harry's Frozen Custard, Chippy's Kettle Korn and J.C's Dough Jo.

First organized by the Downtown Association of Racine, the fair takes its name from its original location on Downtown's Monument Square. As it has grown through the years, the fair's location has changed several times, including its move to the larger accommodations at the Festival Park several years ago. Its reputation draws visitors from throughout the state, as well as Chicago and other northern Illinois communities, according to Christine Sretenovich, president of the Art Fair board.

If You Go

WHAT: Monument Square Art Fair On The Lake

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Festival Park, 5 Fifth St.

COST: Admission is free.

INFO: Call (262) 639-6555.

Going Green

The artists of Careers Industries are going green at this year's Monument Square Art Fair. Participants in Careers Industries Integrated Day Services program will display their artwork at a booth during the fair and most of it has been made from recycled materials, according to Marlene Salley, community relations director for Careers Industries, Inc. Some of the artists' original artwork will also be featured.

Participants in IDS's thriving art program display their work at various art fairs and other outlets throughout southeastern Wisconsin.