CaLinda's Pot Shop

Ashby, Nebraska is a tiny town, even by Nebraska small town standards. It is officially unincorporated, though it is estimated that 50 people live in the community and the surrounding area.

I previously wrote briefly about Ashby in the Crescent Lake NWR Road Trip. It's a little isolated, but the drive is worth every minute, as is the destination!

By Ammodramus (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

However, Ashby has a couple of things going for it. One is Linda Lacy and Calinda's Pot Shop and Art Gallery. The other is the Pot Shop's next door neighbor, the Ashby Lumber Company, which is also home to Ashby Flowers and Gifts . Both businesses are unique finds in this extremely rural section of the Nebraska Sandhills.

From the CaLinda's Pot Shop and Art Gallery Facebook page.

As a perfect example of how it's done in small towns, the two businesses teamed up over Valentine's Day by each providing an element of the perfect gift! I'm told that the owner of the flower shop has a pretty good idea of everyone's birthdays and anniversaries and if some hapless individual forgets, she'll give them a friendly reminder! Now that's customer service!

We recently had the opportunity to host Linda here in Sutherland for a "Beers, Cheers and Smears" painting party at the Longhorn Bar. Though the weather was abysmal, five souls braved the snow and cold to create one-of-a-kind paintings of the historic "State Aid Bridge" over the North Platte river north of Sutherland.

Linda is a consummate professional and an incredible teacher. In only a few short hours, she took us from blank canvases to fully completed paintings of a fairly difficult nature.

From CaLindasPotShop.com

From the CaLinda's Pot Shop website:

Linda Lacy received her BA Interdisciplinary degree with emphasis in Art, Education, and Communications from Chadron State College. She has instructed numerous painting and pottery workshops over the past 25 years.
As an Artist in Resident with the Nebraska Arts Council for the past 12 years, Linda is available to give workshops or seminars with hands-on demonstrations for children or adults.
Linda's pottery and paintings have been received all over the world. She is versed in all media with award winning paintings.
CaLinda's Pot Shop & Art Gallery is a unique shop located in downtown Ashby, Nebraska. Pottery from CaLinda's is of the highest quality of earthenware with lead-free and food-safe glazes. All functional pottery is microwave and dishwasher safe.
Items can be custom made and sent to any location.
CaLinda's hosts a Kid's Art Camp and Adult Pottery & Painting Workshop every summer. Call for details or come in anytime to experience a "a studio hour of throwing a pot".
Enjoy a beautiful drive through the Sandhills on the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway. We are located just fifty miles east of Alliance. Come visit this unique shop in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills.
We are already planning a road trip to Ashby to "throw a pot!"

When you go:
Address: CaLinda´s Pot Shop & Art Gallery, 113 Main St., PO Box 22, Ashby, Nebraska 69333
Phone: (308) 458-8051
Both her website and Facebook page are linked above in the article.
Call ahead and make sure Linda is going to be there and the Pot Shop is going to be open! Be sure to give her a call if you would like to have her host a painting party for you!