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Exhibiting at Art Fair Cheshire will be a nostalgic and emotional occasion for model maker Toni Zientek.
The ceramic boats, buses, cars and railway engines he has lovingly created are on display at Macclesfield Town Hall from October 8-15.
The event is tinged with sadness for Toni as his late wife Pauline will not be there to share his proud moment.
Fittingly, the Art Fair is in aid of East Cheshire Hospice which cared for Pauline who passed away in 2019, aged 72.
Toni’s craftmaking talents were inherited from his father Janek, a Polish Air Force pilot who was ordered to flee his homeland in 1939.
Toni Zientek at work in his home studio.
He eventually reached Britain, piloting Wellington bombers for coastal command.
Toni, a retired teacher, said: “After the war, dad became a tool maker. I’ve still got all his tools.
“He made toys for me, including a fantastic scooter, and taught me how to do things. Later he used his craft skills in engineering.”
Toni’s love of art and especially ceramics began at Madeley College, where he met Pauline, later a junior schoolteacher.
Model maker Toni Zientek with one of his caricatures.
Toni became head of art at Bramhall High School where he ended his career as exams officer.
His passion for ceramic caricatures of modes of transport was developed at his workshop at home.
He attended arts and crafts fairs, but it was only after losing Pauline that he took his hobby more seriously.
His studio now produces studio ceramics and intricate models, scaled to size using drawings, pictures and natural creative instinct.
A mini made by Toni.
Vehicle manufacturers, including Leyland Trucks, have commissioned personalised pottery for fleet buyers.
Toni gets requests for customised products. He could be the country’s only specialist maker of transport models. (www.potterytransportcreations.co.uk)
He is looking forward to his pottery going on display at the Art Fair, especially as a percentage of sales are donated to the Hospice.
Toni makes monthly donations towards materials for the charity’s art therapy unit and has a leaf dedicated to Pauline on a Memory Tree.
Pauline died four days after the couple celebrated their golden wedding. The grandmother of three had been in the Hospice for three weeks, having initially been looked after by its Hospice @Home service.
Toni said: “When I first called them, two cars and four nurses arrived within 20 minutes and immediately eased the pressure on me.
“The family were very happy with the care they, and especially Pauline, received.”
* Visit www.theartfair.org.uk