Noted Fawn ceramics artist honored with 2022 Polonian Award

Ron Korczynski of Fawn is proud of his 100% Polish heritage.

A noted ceramics artist for more than 20 years, Korczynski, 79, is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Polonian Award by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation.

An award luncheon in his honor is scheduled for Sunday at Edgewood Country Club.

Korczynski’s childhood revolved around 11th Avenue in Harrison and working in his Polish grandparent’s market, Napierkowski’s.

His parents were the late Roman and Emily (Napierkowski) Korczynski of Harrison.

“It’s really an honor. I never expected,” Korczynski said of the award. “I have a strong Polish heritage.”

The Kosciuszko Foundation was founded in 1925 to promote close ties between Poland and the United States.

Korczynski’s work has been featured in numerous books, including “500 Bowls,” “Teapots and Collectors” and “Ceramic Design.”

He has published two books, “Ron Korczynski, Ceramic Artist” and “Birds Are Neat.”

He and his wife, Judy, maintain a studio and art gallery adjacent to their home.

Korczynski has no plans to slow down his ceramic making, and he works at it for about six hours, five days a week.

“I’ll be doing this until the day I die or I’m incapacitated. I love it so much,” Korczynski said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Ceramics artist Ron Korczynski, 79, of Fawn displays a fish-themed platter Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, inside his home studio.

As a youngster, Korczynski worked alongside family members at Napierkowski’s, first waiting on customers and, later, helping to make homemade Polish kiszka (sausage with fresh pig’s blood) and grinding Polish meats.

Napierkowski’s closed in the 1980s.

“We had to go to Peter’s Market in Cleveland yesterday to stock up on authentic kielbasa and kiszka. It’s the closest to what he had growing up,” Judy Korczynski said.

Korczynski graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in art education.

Korczynski taught art for 32 years in the Highlands School District.

His early artistic career focused around functional stoneware pottery.

Nowadays, he focuses exclusively on ceramics.

A large platter can take up to a month from start to finish.

With vibrant colors, animal themes and detailed designs, Korczynski’s use of color and design is elaborate.

One of his favorite platters features a bunny design in honor of his daughter’s late pet rabbit, Izzy.

Fish is the most dominant theme of his works, along with bees, horses, frogs, reptiles and birds.

Korczynski credits his wife for helping him achieve all of his artistic successes and accomplishments.

“I couldn’t do all of this without her,” he said Friday at his home studio.

Korczynski’s ceramics are sold in several Pittsburgh businesses, including Main Exhibit Gallery in Ligonier and the Greensburg Art Center.

“He feels honored that they felt enough about him and his work that they chose him,” his wife said.