CELEBRATON GALA, FOR THE FIRST TIME,
OFFERS ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES
For Immediate Release
August 20, 2008
Contact: Jennie L Keatts jennie@jlkjewelry.com,
Susan Greene sbz@rtmc.net
September 13, 2008, Seagrove, NC- Friday, November 21st through Sunday, November 23, 2008, potters of Seagrove will present the Inaugural Celebration of Seagrove Potters Show. This premier exhibition and sale of Seagrove pottery and clay works, to be held indoors at the historic Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove, includes over 70% of the authentic Seagrove artists, artists that live and work in the area that defines the town of Seagrove, NC.
The Show offers a special opportunity to meet the Seagrove artists under one roof, and to learn about and purchase their work. There is excitement in every booth at the show where the exhibits embrace a striking variety of forms and functions. Seagrove is the largest working community, in the country, of potters and clay artists and offers something for everyone. The event will offer not only the authenticity of Seagrove pottery, but also the opportunity to participate in historical and educational programs. In addition, children will have a special area dedicated to them. They will be able to try their hand in clay, purchase specially “Kid Priced” pieces of pottery and more. A donation from the proceeds of the children’s area will be given to the arts programs of our local elementary schools.
The event will kick off with an opening night Gala Preview Event. Guests will have the opportunity to browse and shop, while enjoying food and beverages, including North Carolina wines, live jazz music and for the first time ever, an opportunity to view and bid on collaborative pieces of artwork at a special auction held at 8 PM during the Gala Preview Event.
The Gala Preview Party, which is open to the public, will be held on Friday, November 21st, 6:30 PM to 9 PM. The Seagrove artists collaborative auction will begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $35 and are available on line at www.CelebrationofSeagrovePotters.com. Tickets are limited and must be purchased before November 7, 2008.
To commemorate the Gala event, Seagrove artists have come together to work outside their regular arena, partnering to create pieces that will be one-of-kind and highly collectable. Some of the pieces will include a tile presentation created together by: Bonnie Burns of Great White Oak Gallery; Laura Avery of Avery Pottery and Tileworks; Susan Smith of Smith Pottery; Samantha Henneke of Bulldog Pottery; Meredith Heywood of Whynot Pottery; Alexa Modderno of Seagrove Stoneware; Stephanie Martin of Dean and Martin Pottery; Carol Gentithes of Johnston and Gentithes ART Pottery and Sheila Ray of Ray Pottery. Sandi Barden of Living Water Studio has created two pieces that will go to Bonnie Burns and Jennie Lorette Keatts for completion. Family pieces include a fabulous jar created by Vernon, Pam, Travis and Bayle Owens at Jugtown Pottery, a gorgeous platter by Gordon Ray of Cagle Road Pottery and his son Paul Ray of Ray Pottery. Many studio partners will team up to create pieces together. Finished pieces will be posted on the Gala page of www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com, so check in often.
The show continues at 9 AM on Saturday, November 22. 4 PM starts the show auction of pieces donated by participating artists. Sunday visitors may attend from 10 AM to 4 PM. Food and beverages will be available both days.
Dates and hours for the 2008 Celebration of Seagrove Potters are: Saturday, November 22. 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, November 23, 10 AM to 4 PM; General admission is $5.00. Children under 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The Luck’s Cannery is located at 798 NC HWY 705 – Pottery Highway. It is ½ mile south of the traffic light in Seagrove.
Special thanks to our 2008 sponsors: Randolph County Tourism Development Authority, CommunityOne, Embarq, Skutt Kilns, Williams Supply, Advisors Financial Center, Richard and Susan Garkalns, Insurance Associates of the Triad, Randolph Arts Guild, STARworks, Zimmerman Winery, Asheboro Elastics, Cagle Survey and Prevo Drugs Seagrove.
The Celebration of Seagrove Potters was formed in June 2008, by Seagrove potters, to exist as a venue that showcases only the potters of the actual Seagrove community. These Seagrove potters are a self-governing group that work together to protect the unique and authentic pottery community that has taken generations to build, and to be their own advocates in representing themselves and the community in which they live, as they define it.
For more information visit www.CelebrationofSeagrovePotters.com.
