Saskatchewan Artist

Debra Kuzyk

Debra Kuzyk was born in 1958 in Cutknife, Saskatchewan and also lived in Lloydminster during her childhood. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon (1980) and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax (1983), where she studied ceramics and printmaking. Kuzyk also studied art at other institutions, including the Banff Centre, the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, and the Alberta College of Art.

Kuzyk worked as an instructor at the College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville, Newfoundland. She soon began to collaborate with partner Ray Mackie, eventually moving their studio, Lucky Rabbit Pottery, to Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia in 1999. Truly a collaborative endeavor, Mackie creates clay vessels that Kuzyk then decorates. They take inspiration from the history of ceramics, including the styles of the Jin Dynasty in China (1115-1234) and of 14th century Turkey. Imagery from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland is also an influence. Kuzyk incorporates many natural elements into her designs, including fish, rabbits, and plants.

In 2010, Kuzyk and Mackie held a unique exhibition at Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery, in which ceramic pieces were arrange in an installation based around the elements of sky, water, and earth.

Kuzyk's ceramic works have been shown across Canada and internationally. Her pieces are represented in collections including the City of Calgary and the Lloyd Hall Permanent Collection, Banff Centre.

Debra Kuzyk continues to live and work in Annapolis, Nova Scotia.