NCPC Article

The North Carolina Pottery Center is the physical manifestation of years of advocacy on behalf of North Carolina’s ceramic tradition by a host of dedicated collectors, historians, potters, and enthusiasts. Opened in 1998 to promote awareness of North Carolina’s outstanding emblematic craft, NCPC has become a much-loved, state-wide institution, exhibiting the best pots from around the state, both historic and contemporary, and educating schoolchildren, scout groups, tourists, even potters, about North Carolina’s ceramic heritage. Located at the center of the vibrant pottery community of Seagrove, south of Asheboro, NCPC is also a welcome center for visitors to Seagrove potteries.

In July of 2008, the Board of Directors, along with past Board members and friends of the NCPC, launched a multi-faceted, fundraising campaign for the Center. Our goal is to raise $100,000 and the campaign is well underway, with $40,000 raised so far.

Dr. Everette James, an eminent NC pottery collector and Board member, donated a substantial collection of NC pottery to be put up for bid at a Benefit Auction for NCPC. Many other noted collectors and potters from around the state have spontaneously joined the effort, donating treasured antique North Carolina pots for this auction.

The quality of the donated pots is truly spectacular, indicating the breadth of support for NCPC, an institution many feel is a priceless cultural treasure. Over 190 pots and “box lots” (groups of smaller pots), have been assembled, and among these are superb examples from all the different regions, makers, and time periods of North Carolina’s ceramic history. There are wonderful utilitarian wares from both the Randolph County area and the Catawba Valley, some of them with rare maker’s marks, as well as enticing transitional pots from the early twentieth century, and then an outstanding variety of “Art Ware” pots from the 1930’s -!960’s. All the great names and styles of North Carolina pottery are represented.

What is exciting about this collection, apart from the fundraising effort on behalf of NCPC, is that it offers the public a chance to see, bid, and perhaps own, part of North Carolina’s distinctive ceramic history. Nowadays you can buy objects to ornament your home that have been made all over the world, but this auction allows people an opportunity to give their living spaces a truly North Carolinian flavor. These distinctive, high-quality pots are homegrown, and will appreciate in value as they warm a domestic interior with their unique friendliness. We look forward to sharing them with the pottery lovers of North Carolina.

For more information, please visit http://www.ncpotterycenter.com/ and http://www.llauctions.com/