Carolina Clay: The North Carolina Pottery Center

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The North Carolina Pottery Center
In Seagrove, about 10 miles south of Asheboro, the North Carolina Pottery Center preserves and celebrates the state’s ceramics heritage. Permanent exhibits feature more than 200 pieces of pottery, old and new, with artifacts and photographs that reveal the craft’s diversity, economics and changing technology. Changing theme exhibits explore specific historic traditions and display contem-porary studio works. The center’s spacious, attractive buildings amid a grove of oak trees also house educational programs.Staffers hand out free Seagrove maps to help newcomers locate the more than 90 potters there.

Visitors leave with a worldly appreciation as well. “There’s a section that shows the universality of pottery,” says Joanna Ruth Marsland, executive director of the center. “For example, we have ancient Chinese and Turkish pieces. No matter where you are in the world, you’re going to find pottery.”

The private, not-for-profit institution opened to the public in 1998, 10 years after a group first began raising money. The center’s fourth annual auction is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Entitled “Going, Going, Gone to Pots,” the event’s live auction will feature more than 60 pots, and a silent auction offers more than 120 pots. Ticket cost is $35 and includes lunch. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Margaret Maron, mystery novelist and author of “Uncommon Clay,” is mistress of ceremonies. Attendees can meet the potters who created auction items, and proceeds bolster the center’s operating budget. “It’s an entertaining day with wonderful food and beautiful pots, and helps us with our educational programming,” says Marsland.

For More Information

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students (K-12). Call (336) 873-8430 or visit www.ncpotterycenter.com. Seagrove is about 10 miles south of Asheboro.