Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour
Posted on 03/21/21Seagrove, NC - The Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour takes place on the weekend of April 16, 17, and 18, 2021, from 10 am to 5 pm. This special 13th annual event is a self-guided tour of individual pottery galleries, studios, and workshops in the Handmade Pottery Capital of the USA. Seagrove’s title of #1 Town in America for Craft Lovers, makes this event even more extraordinary. The tour is held at participating shops located from the downtown center and throughout the countryside. Go behind the scenes to experience the process first-hand and have the unique opportunity to meet the artists before buying handmade pottery to take home and enjoy.
Spring has always been a time for renewal and awakening in Seagrove, and this year an unprecedented number of shops are opening their doors at the same time to celebrate Spring. From downtown and nestled throughout the countryside, visitors can tour individual potter’s studios and workshops. Participating potters will offer newly handcrafted pottery and ceramic art, and visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet the artists and experience kiln openings and pottery-making first hand with some potteries having demonstrations, hands-on activities, food, and music.
This year we are giving away three gift certificates, each for $50. The gift certificates can be used at your favorite participating Seagrove shop. Pick up a card at one of the participating pottery shops, add your contact details and leave your card at one of the shops or mail it back by May 15, 2021. Qualifying cards will be entered in a drawing, which will take place the weekend of May 22.
The public is invited to start their tour at Luck’s Cannery at 798 NC-705, Seagrove, NC 27341. A welcome tent will be staffed with volunteers wearing masks to answer questions and share a printed pottery map. The map offers a guide to the studios and shops. Pottery maps are also available for download at https://discoverseagrove.com/events/annual-spring-studio-tour-and-kiln-opening/
List of Participants for 2021: Ben Owen Pottery, Blue Hen Pottery, Hatfield Pottery at Carolina Crockery, Chrisco Pottery, Crystal King Pottery, Daniel Johnston Pottery, David Stuempfle Pottery, Dean & Martin Pottery, Dirt Works Pottery, Donna Craven Pottery, Eck McCanless Pottery, From the Ground Up, Hickory Hill Pottery, JLK Jewelry at Jugtown, Johnston & Gentithes Art Pottery, Jugtown Pottery, Keith Martindale Pottery, Latham's Pottery, Luck's Ware Pottery, Matthew Kelly Pottery, O'Quinn Pottery, Old Gap Pottery, Pottery by Frank Neef, Pottery Road Studio & Gallery, Ray Pottery, Red Hare Pottery, Seagrove Art Pottery, Seagrove Stoneware Pottery, Smith Pottery, Thomas Pottery, Tom Gray Pottery, Triangle Studio, Triple C Pottery, Turn & Burn Pottery, Whynot Pottery & Acacia Tile, Windsong Pottery, Wyndham & Brookhaven Pottery.
In accordance with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines, all guests are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing at the studios. Potters will also wear masks. With so many pottery stops spread across a three-day period, social distancing is easy.
More About Seagrove: Seagrove is in the central Piedmont of North Carolina. Seagrove is the largest community of potters with the longest continual history of pottery making in the United States. It has been named the Pottery Capital of the USA and #1 Town in America for Craft Lovers. More than 100 ceramic artists call this tourist destination home. Seagrove potteries are open year-round and visitors can shop galleries and studios from the town’s center, extending to a 20-mile radius along the scenic NC Pottery Highway. Tour different shops to experience Seagrove’s pottery tradition, meet the potters and discover the limitless talent that thrives within this creative community.
Seagrove’s long history of pottery-making began with the abundant and varied natural clay deposits found in the vicinity. This history has continued with the 5th and 6th generations carrying on the tradition. Due to the area’s rich heritage, national and international ceramic artists have relocated to Seagrove, adding to the diversity of this unique pottery community. Seagrove is also the home of the North Carolina Pottery Center, which features permanent collections, history, educational programs, research, and preservation.
Event contact information: Ben Owen, at 336-879-2262. Seagrove Area Potters Association, P. O. Box 309, Seagrove, NC, 27341. E-mail to ([email protected]) or visit (www.discoverseagrove.com).
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