Chapel Hill Challenge-Why are folks throwing pots around 705?

In the Chapel Hill's Herald Sun there is a weekly challenge question that the readers can answer to win a special prize. This past weeks question?

"Why are folks who live near Highway 705 in the Piedmont Triad always throwing around pots?"

There was a winning answer! According to Falconer, "Highway 705 runs through the Seagrove area, known for pottery, and has been designated by the state as the official NC Pottery Highway."

Well, I for one will agree with that. What were we doing yesterday and what will we be doing today? .... drum roll please.... Yes you are correct! Throwing pots.

".......

..."According to discoverseagrove.com, "This small 'Seagrove area' of central NC has been home to many potters since the late 1700s. Potters who grew up in NC pottery families, locals inspired by NC pottery traditions who learned their trade at Seagrove area community colleges, and potters from elsewhere attracted by the Seagrove pottery community run the nearly one hundred Seagrove area pottery shops. There are a few pottery shops in the town of Seagrove, which is also the home of the NC Pottery Center, but many more potteries are located in the surrounding rural area. "

To read more of this answer visit the Herald Sun! And a thank you goes out to the people working there for thinking about us over here.

Seagrove Potters Caldwell-Hohl Artworks Kiln Opening Tomorrow

Caldwell-Hohl Artworks Kiln Opening this weekend

October 16-17, 2010

10:00-5:00 both days

"Our Fall Kiln Opening is a wonderful experience for everyone. We always feature new work and plenty of one of a kind pieces. Every year, we have several guest artists and live music. Light refreshments, wine and cheese are part of the festivities.
Customers enjoy demonstrations of pottery, weaving, spinning, wood turning and glass blowing.
We also offer tours of our studio and our log cabin.

Pleases visit our website for directions to our gallery or just call!!"

"Clay and Blogs - Telling a Story"

This image is from Carolina Arts Unleashed taken by Tom Starland

"I went to see the Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story Exhibit in Southern Pines, NC"

by Tom Starland of Carolina Arts , A monthly newspaper about the Arts in South and North Carolina

October 10th, 2010

Tom Starland of the Carolina Arts wrote an account of his experience at the "Clay and Blogs-Telling a Story" exhibition on his blog, Carolina Arts Unleashed. Meredith Heywood of Whynot Pottery organized this show of around 50 clay bloggers. There is also an online component to this show. The clay pottery bloggers have each selected a piece for the online show and sale. You can see these pieces here on the Arts Council of Moore County's website. To be able to link to the potters' blogs you can find their blog links listed here.

Tom writes in Carolina Arts Unleashed , "But, like a butterfly in a field of flowers I fluttered from one group of pottery to the next amazed at how much more interesting the next group of pottery could be – as if I’ve never seen a display of pottery before. The display was excellent and the diversity in styles, forms, and techniques was never-ending. I think I went through the entire display at least twice – a few times discovering new wonders overlooked at first glance."

Seagrove Potter - Blaine Avery October 16 Kiln Opening

Avery Pottery and Tile Works Fall Kiln Opening

October 16 and 17, 2010 Sat. 10am-5pm and Sun. 11am-4pm

Seagrove, NC on 636 Potters Way Rd.

Blaine Avery is having his fall kiln opening and he has been hard at work designing teapots, cups, mugs, tiles and other special pieces for this pottery sale. You can read his e-mail announcement here and keep up with what he is doing in the studio at his blog- Avery Pottery and Tileworks.

SRARworks Glass Pumpkin Patch

STARworks Glass Pumpkin Patch Sale -

Friday October 15 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Come help STARworks harvest its first crop of unique handblown glass pumpkins. Choose from hundreds of pumpkins priced from $30-$100.

Special Preview with glass blowing demonstration on.

Lunch and Learn at the Randolph Arts Guild

Image of Ron Philbeck at the Moring Arts Guild. The images were provided by Ron and this one was taken by John E. Abernethy

Join the Randolph Arts Guild on Tuesday September 28th, from 12pm to 1pm as they host their popular “Lunch and Learn” series. From Within to the Surface artists Amy Sanders and Ron Philbeck will answer questions and share information about their ceramic processes and experiences. The event is free. Please bring your own lunch.

From Within to the Surface is an exhibition of new ceramic works by Julie Wiggins, Amy Sanders, Ron Philbeck, Jennifer Mecca, Adrienne Dellinger, and Greg Scott. The exhibition is ongoing through September 28th, 2010.

These six ceramic artists have shown regionally and nationally together over the past five years. This exhibition of new work features both decorative ceramics as well as utilitarian items. Styles range from wood fired stoneware to decorated porcelain and earthenware. The title of the exhibition, From Within to the Surface, reflects the methods in which these artists create strong clay forms that are married to various decorative and/or surface treatments. Examples include multiple and layered glaze, mishima inlay, sgraffito, sprigged colored clay, and clay textured surfaces. Over 50 pots are be featured.

For additional information contact the Randolph Arts Guild at 336-629-0399 or visit www.RandolphArtsGuild.com. The Guild is located at 123 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27203.

To read and see more images of "From within to the Surface" exhibition both Ron Philbeck and Jen Mecca have wonderful blog posts that capture the evening and set up at the Sara Self Gallery.

Here are two clay baskets by Amy Sanders

Seagrove Potter - Micheal Mahan - Kiln Opening Oct 3

From the Ground Up - October 2 , 9pm-5pm - Kiln Opening

Michael Mahan will be having his annual Turkey Roast and kiln opening at his pottery, From the Ground Up. He will be featuring pottery from his wood kiln for this special event. A Chef from Cary will be making the food. "Will he smoke or fry the turkey?"

Follow along Micheal's blog to watch him and his son Levi prepare for their pottery opening.