To celebrate my birthday Bruce took me to the Seagrove Pottery Festival in North Carolina
Artists had started telling me about Seagrove NC almost as soon as we had moved to South Carolina, so I was well aware that this is a well established pottery center. And I knew that Seagrove's pottery tradition dates back to the 18th century before the
American Revolution. Many of the first Seagrove potters were English and
German immigrants. They primarily produced functional, glazed earthenware. Due to the high quality of the local clay and transportation access for traders, Seagrove became known for its pottery. But what I wasn't prepared for the how important the craft is in the area. There are even large state funded signs along the freeway telling travelers they are approaching the "pottery capital of North Carolina".
Seagrove is notable for its many potteries, and it is sometimes referred to as the "pottery capital of North Carolina", or even the pottery capital of the world. In this usage, the name Seagrove
not only refers to the town proper, but includes several other
communities that are part of the pottery tradition along and near the North Carolina Pottery Highway. Over 100 potteries shops and galleries are located in Seagrove with even more potters located in the neighboring towns of Star, Whynot, Westmoore, Happy Hollow, and Robbins.. So many potteries are
located along NC Hwy 705 or its side roads,that the state
to designate Hwy 705 as the official “NC Pottery Highway". Seagrove is also home to the North Carolina Pottery Center, which was
established on November 7, 1998 and has since received visitors across
the continent and around the world.
And once or twice a year tall these potters come together to hold a pottery festival.
This year the festival was being held on the playground of the local elementary school.
The school buildings blocked my view of all but the driveway to the festival, but the lack of parking within a mile in any direction gave a strong hint of how large and popular this event was going to be. Three humongous circus style tents stretched 3/4 of the way around the school playground.
Food and beverage tents took up the remaining side of the lot, while craftsmen demonstrating skills like raku firing, throwing, and glazing , filled in all the gaps in between.
Inside the tents we were met with an amazing meld of pots and people as far as the eye can see. Most of the pottery was functional, but even that came in every color shade, form and and texture known to man
Others, while still useful, relied on their decorative appeal
Some combined pottery with crafts like basketry and woodworking
While others were so non-functional that they could be termed fine art craft
For those who had the time and the money to bid, a silent auction
offered something for everyone's taste.
And what did I buy?, you ask. A teapot of course.
After all it was my birthday.
Potter, David Edwards, holding the teapot we purchased from him.
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