Posts Tagged ‘Asheboro NC’

Some Info for Artists at Carolina Arts News

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

We just posted some info for artists from several different sources at Carolina Arts News. Info you may want to know about like:

If you’re a visual artist or a group of visual artists (no geographic requirements) and you would like an exhibit at one of the gallery spaces controlled by the Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, in 2012 – they are now accepting proposals.

If you’re a visual artist living anywhere in NC, you can apply for the Regional Emerging Artist-in-Residence (July 2011 – January 2012) at Artspace in Raleigh, NC.

If you’re an artist living in Randolph County, NC, and you might like some money to help you do a certain project – you might be able to get a Regional Artists Grant from the Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro, NC.

Go to Carolina Arts News at (http://carolinaartsnews.wordpress.com/) and see more details and links for even more details.

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A Look at the Seagrove, NC, Area Calendar – the Center of NC Pottery

Friday, November 5th, 2010

That “Center of NC Pottery” thing is more about a geographical description. We know there is pottery going on all over North Carolina, but it sounds good saying it. We definitely hear more from the potters in the Seagrove area. But if you ever want to know what’s going on or being planned in Seagrove, just check the site of the Seagrove Area Potters Association at (http://www.discoverseagrove.com/).


From Westmoore Pottery

First up is the Westmoore Pottery: Heritage Day, taking place on Nov. 13, 2010, 9am-5pm. In November of each year, Westmoore Pottery marks the anniversary of its founding in 1977 (33 years this year!) by celebrating both their own and North Carolina’s pottery heritage. The focus this year will be on styles made by North Carolina’s non-Moravian potters who were working in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The official Westmoore Pottery scrapbooks will also be hauled out for the day. Westmoore Pottery is located at 4622 Busbee Road in Seagrove. For further info call 910/464-3700, e-mail at (westmoore@rtmc.net) or visit (www.westmoorepottery.com).

Of course the exhibit, Pottery from the Coastal Carolina Clay Guild, is still on view at the North Carolina Pottery Center in “downtown” Seagrove through Nov. 13, 2010, and then from Nov. 23, 2010 through Feb. 12, 2011, the Center will be offering the exhibit, Collectors Eye, Series I: Seven Perspectives, featuring works from the collections of Monty Busick, Steve Compton, Bragg Cox, Leon Danielson, Joe Foster, George Hoffman, and Joe Wilkinson.

The NC Pottery Center is always a good first stop when visiting Seagrove.

To finnish off the month of November, you have the 3rd Annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters which takes place at the historic Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove on Nov. 19 – 21, 2010. For further information e-mail (contact@celebrationofseagrovepotters.com) or visit (www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com).

I’ve heard that there is another pottery festival going on in Seagrove at the same time and dates as the Celebration, but I don’t know anything about it – they haven’t contacted me about it so I have nothing to say about it.

Once we’ve filled ourselves with turkey and we wake up from that big nap, our thoughts turn to holiday gifts. The Seagrove area potters are there for you with kiln openings and other events.


Joseph Sand Pottery

Back in August we brought you news about a new pottery opening – not in Seagrove, but in the area between Randleman and Asheboro – just up the road from Seagrove or on the way, if you’re traveling on Hwy. 220 (the future I-73 & I-74) – Joseph Sand Pottery. Joseph Sand was hosting his first kiln opening and we hear it was a big success. His next kiln opening is on Dec. 4, 2010, (9am to 5pm) and Dec. 5, 2010, (noon to 5pm). They will have many of the same kind of items for sale again, including an array of large, sculptural vases.


Pottery by Joseph Sand


A peek inside the monster kiln at Joseph Sand Pottery

Joseph Sand Pottery is located at 2555 George York Road in Randleman, NC. For further info call 612/518-4051, e-mail at (joseph@jsspottery.com) and on the web at (www.jsspottery.com). He and his wife Amanda also offer a blog found at (www.sandceramics.blogspot.com).


From Westmoore Pottery

Westmoore Pottery (4622 Busbee Road, Seagrove, NC) will also be offering a Holiday Open House on Dec. 4, 2010, from 9am to 5pm. Join the folks at Westmoore Pottery as they celebrate the holiday season. The shop will be decorated for the holidays, and a kiln load of pottery will be unloaded, including special pieces made just for this day. Refreshments will be served. For further info call 910/464-3700, e-mail at (westmoore@rtmc.net) or visit (www.westmoorepottery.com).

Also on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, from 9:30am-5:30pm Seagrove potters Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke will have a fresh variety of pottery in their shop for the holiday season. Visit them at their Bulldog Pottery studio, located at 3306 US Hwy 220 Seagrove, NC, for lively conversation about their recent work and light refreshments. For more information about Samantha and Bruce’s holiday kiln opening call them at 336/302-3469, e-mail to (bulldog@bulldogpottery.com), or visit (www.bulldogpottery.com).


From Thomas Pottery

Thomas Pottery at 1295 S. NC 705 Hwy. in Seagrove will have its 2010 Holiday Kiln Opening on Dec. 4, 2010, from 10am-5pm & Dec. 5, 2010, from 1-4pm. Thomas Pottery welcomes you to see their most popular hand-painted log cabin snow scene dinnerware with accompanying serving pieces. Angels, candle holders, holiday trays and an array of tree ornaments will be offered. During this special event, tours of the studio and refreshments will be served. For further info call 336/879-4145, e-mail at (scottandbobbie@thomaspottery.com) or visit (www.thomaspottery.com).


A look inside Seagrove Stoneware

A little later in the month, Seagrove Stoneware at 136 W Main Street in Seagrove will host its Annual Kiln Opening & Gallery Sale on Dec. 11 & 12, 2010. Join them for their annual kiln opening and gallery sale featuring new work, one of a kind pieces, and special discounts in their gallery. For further information call 336/873-8283, e-mail at (artists@seagrovestoneware.com) or visit (www.seagrovestoneware.com).

Of course whenever you’re in Seagrove, there are 24 potteries that participated in the Seagrove Potters for Peace 2010 fundraiser for Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute. Since August of this year, the group has raised nearly $6000. These galleries have sold a lot of special items for this cause, but there are still plenty of items left to purchase. Check this link to see which potteries have items left. For more information and a list of participating potters, go to (www.seagrovepottersforpeace.com) or call 910/464-5661.

There you go. This is what I know is going on, but I bet there is always something else going on that I don’t know about. And like I said above – check out the site for the Seagrove Area Potters Association at (http://www.discoverseagrove.com/).

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Posted in About Seagrove Pottery, Central NC, NC Pottery, NC Pottery Center, NC Visual Arts, Not About Seagrove Pottery | Comments Off

The Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro, NC, Presents “From Within to the Surface” – Sept. 1 – 28, 2010

Monday, September 6th, 2010

We have gotten some positive feedback from the Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro, NC, after our last posting about an exhibit taking place there and I think we are all on the same page now and although this notice came a little late for our Sept. issue of Carolina Arts – it’s not too late to present it here. And, it fits our program of bringing you news about ceramic, clay, pottery – whatever you call them – exhibitions taking place in the Carolinas.

Don’t forget we’re posting other press releases which contain late-breaking news, news that came in late, and news we thought you needed to know about at our new blog – Carolina Arts News.

Here’s the press release:

The Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro, NC, presents From Within to the Surface, an exhibition of new ceramic works by Julie Wiggins, Amy Sanders, Ron Philbeck, Jennifer Mecca, Adrienne Dellinger, and Greg Scott. The exhibition, on view in the Sara Smith Self Gallery, opens Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 28, 2010.


A work by Adrienne Dellinger.


A work by Greg Scott.

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 will be featured.


A work by Jennifer Mecca.


A work by Ron Philbeck.

Join the Randolph Arts Guild on Sept. 28, 2010, from noon to 1pm as they host their popular “Lunch and Learn” series. 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.


A work by Julie Wiggins


Works by Amy Sanders.

The Randolph Arts Guild is located at 123 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC. For further information call 336/629-0399, e-mail to (arts@asheboro.com) or visit (www.randolphartsguild.com).

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Moring Arts Center in Asheboro, NC, Features Exhibit by STARworks glass – Aug. 2 – 27, 2010 – But, That’s Not The Story

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

On Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, I picked up a postcard announcing an exhibit taking place in Asheboro, NC, between Aug. 2 – 27, 2010. The reception was Aug. 3, 2010. The postcard was very colorful – very attractive, but I just starred at it wondering what I’m supposed to do with it. I went to the post office because I just finished my part of our Sept. issue of Carolina Arts.

My first thought was – boy, this is late. So much for reduced postage rates for non-profit mailings. I sometimes receive a newsletter from The Randolph Arts Guild telling about exhibits – current and upcoming – it also is mailed with non-profit postage and some of the exhibits have passed by the time I receive them. In this age of the internet I’m not sure why this Guild is still sending notices of programs by snail-mail – especially to the media. They need to start e-mailing press releases.

Then I though about the fact that a longtime director had just retired from the Guild and that might be a reason for such a delay, but then I remembered a recent letter calling for help I received from The Randolph Arts Guild. I didn’t ignore that letter – I put it on the pile of other letters we have been receiving from art groups all over the Carolinas looking for help with funding.

The letter explained that the Randolph County Commissioners had decided to cut the $15,000 they usually allotted to The Randolph Arts Guild from the county’s budget. The Guild was hoping others could help them make up those dollars. In the letter, Derrick Sides, Executive Director of The Randolph Arts Guild also explained that he understood this was a hard decision to make on the Commissioners’ part where many other hard cuts were being made. This made me wonder if further cuts had been made to funding of the NC Pottery Center, but I haven’t heard anything yet – so no news hopefully is good news.

You can read the letter asking for help by Sides at this link and also see that the people of Randolph County have been donating money to make up that shortfall in funding, but more is still needed.

I looked for info on the Guild’s website about this exhibit, but found nothing and I can’t blame them – I guess they are a little distracted with fundraising. This might not seem fair to the people being featured in the exhibit – STARworks glass, but it’s the reality many are living with in the arts these days.

I checked out the STARworks glass blog, but found nothing there about this exhibit either. Here I would invoke Carolina Arts‘ Rule #2 of Publicity – artists are just as responsible for publicizing exhibits they are having at off site venues.

Here’s what I know and found out about this exhibit:

The Moring Arts Center in Asheboro, NC, is presenting an exhibit of glassworks by artists from STARworks glass in Star, NC, on view in the Sara Smith Self Gallery, on view from Aug. 2 – 27, 2010.

The Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm. The Moring Arts Center, home of The Randolph Arts Guild is located at 123 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro.

For further information call the Center at 336/629-0399 or visit (http://www.randolphartsguild.com).

You can see photos from the exhibit reception on the Center’s Facebook site at this link (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=195753&id=287794642629&ref=mf).

You can read about STARworks glass on their blog at this link (http://starworksglass.blogspot.com/).

That’s it.

While on the Guild’s website I saw other events I would have liked to mention, but not much info was being offered. In June the Guild launched the 5th Annual Downtown Sculpture Exhibition. The sculptures are sited in the Asheboro downtown area and will remain on exhibit through Nov. 2011. There are mentions of this exhibit on their Facebook page, but little details or useful info to pass along.

And, there is the Fall Festival in Asheboro, NC, held on Oct. 1 – 3, 2010 in the downtown area. Sponsored by The Randolph Arts Guild this festival is a combination of street fair, bazaar, harvest celebration and homecoming. In 2010, the parade will be on Friday, Oct. 1 at 7pm. The Festival attracts more than 350 vendors and tens of thousands of visitors and includes a parade, art & craft booths, crafts demonstrations, crafts for kids, flea market section, food booths, live music including: bluegrass, country, gospel & pop.

I’m sure the folks in Asheboro will be getting their affairs in order soon, but excuse them as I have in that they have other pressing matters to deal with, but I do think they need to start e-mailing info out to the media – as early as possible. Our e-mail address is (info@carolinaarts.com) and our deadline is the 12th of the month – prior to the month your exhibit or event starts. So info about exhibits and events that start in Oct. should be sent to us before our deadline of Sept. 12.

Now, don’t fool yourself into thinking that this last paragraph is just about The Randolph Arts Guild – it’s about a lot of folks out there in the visual art community of the Carolinas. You need to get your publicity act together – especially now more than ever.

I myself hate to even bring up the concept of more people sending me info – we don’t have room for more in our printed paper and receiving more info will just cause me more work including it on this blog or on our website. But, if you don’t send out info – it may not be taking place. What?

I mean think about the tree that falls in the forest – does it really fall if no one is there to hear or see it fall – or was it just laying there all the time?

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Donna Craven Pottery Holds a Kiln Opening & Sale on June 5, 2010, in Asheboro, NC

Friday, May 28th, 2010

I posted my entry about the 2nd Annual Cousins in Clay event this morning and when I went to go get the mail a postcard about this event was there. I’m sure the folks at Cousins in Clay won’t mind this posting piggybacking it. You’re gonna be there anyway.

The kiln opening and sale will take place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

I don’t know Donna Craven but her name comes up a lot while preparing Carolina Arts from month to month. That’s a good thing. It means her work is in demand at galleries and art museums throughout the Carolinas and by the public. I’ve seen her work and I like it. Also, I have encouraged potters from throughout the Carolinas to let us know what they are up to – about kiln openings, exhibits, pottery festivals, etc. So, I’m glad she is taking me up on my offer.

Donna Craven Pottery is located at 2616 Old Cox Road – near the North Carolina Zoological Park – between Seagrove, NC, and Asheboro. Here’s a Google map link.

Learn more about Craven at the Seagrove Area Potters Association website at this link. You can see some of her work at this link.

For further info call the pottery at 336/629-8173 or e-mail to (donnacraven@embargmail.com).

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