October 2013

From The Ground Up Pottery in Seagrove, NC, Offers Kiln Opening & Turkey Roast - Oct. 5 & 6, 2013

From The Ground Up Pottery in Seagrove, NC, will present the R.D. Mahan Kiln Opening & Turkey Roast, on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9am-5pm and Sunday, Oct 6, from noon-5pm.

Michael Mahan, his son, Levi, and daughter Chelsea are busy, making new tree pots, soul pots, bells, birds and more from local clay to fire in their wood kiln for this year’s R.D. Mahan Kiln Opening and Turkey Roast at their studio in Seagrove. Plan to come to the studio - From the Ground Up- ready for some warm and beautiful pots.

We start unloading the kiln at 9am. There will be fresh Irish scones (with fresh cream and jam) in the morning, Michael will be making his freshly roasted organic coffee. Turkey will be served for lunch. And some Irish leek and potato soup will hopefully last all day.

What does this event mean to you, Michael? “This is our yearly event to celebrate pottery and family together with our friends from 28 years of pottery in Seagrove”.

What’s it like at From the Ground Up? “I think our shop is known for its peacefulness. Folks love to wander off the main road down our gravel driveway and experience a sense of peace when they reach our pottery shop. They say so. The trees, the garden, the old wooden barn, the pots. My pots are part of that peaceful experience. They are earthy pots, simply decorated, organic shapes - many fired in a wood-fired kiln. Come and experience a slice of this life with my family”

Michael Mahan has been making decorative and functional pottery in the Seagrove area since 1985. He lives and works in Westmoore, NC, seven miles south of Seagrove at his pottery, From the Ground Up. He owned and operated Wild Rose Pottery in Whynot, NC, until 1998 when he moved to Westmoore to renovate a barn and outbuildings on the site where Moore County traditional potter W.J. Stewart worked in the 1890s.

Michael came to Seagrove as a newspaper reporter. Soon he was taking classes and changed careers to pottery. His youngest son, Levi, is now a potter with him and his daughter Chelsea is also a potter.

Michael processes some clay from his property and uses mainly North Carolina sourced clays and materials for his clay and glazes. He combines ancient and modern firing techniques to achieve pieces that reveal the unique relationship between clay and fire.

Michael’s latest work involves trees. He continues to create functional dinnerware using his trademark southwestern glazes.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the pottery at 910/464 6228 or visit (www.fromthegrounduppots.com).

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