April 2014

The Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale in Edgefield and Greenwood Counties, in SC, Takes Place - May 2 - 4, 2014

Local potters in the Greenwood and Edgefield areas of South Carolina are collaborating to host the third Annual Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale, a series of events from Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, 2014. Tour hours are: Sat., May 3, 10am-5pm and Sun., May 4, noon-5pm.

The Pottery Tour & Sale kicks off Friday, May 2, with a reception from 5:30-7pm, at The Museum in Greenwood, SC, during which the public will have the opportunity to meet participating potters and view an exhibit of their work. The weekend events also include pottery demonstrations and kiln openings at five host studios with over 20 potters selling their recent work. The exhibit will continue through June 30, 2014.

The tour is sponsored by the Greenwood Area Studio Potters (GASP), a group which was formed by current and former students of the professional pottery program at the Edgefield campus of Piedmont Technical College.

The Greenwood Area Studio Potters guild created the tour as a response to increased community interest in pottery and also to provide a chance to “gain a greater understanding of the craft, to be able to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces and to also educate our communities about the outstanding pottery heritage in this area” said former GASP President Dohnna Boyajian.

The pottery community, especially in Edgefield, has been evolving for over 200 years. According to local research, Edgefield’s first pottery was called Pottersville and was started by Abner Landrum in the early 1800s. Pottersville is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. The Groundhog kiln, similar to those of Pottersville, was recently constructed in Edgefield and will be opened during the Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale on Saturday, May 3 at 9am. Old Edgefield Pottery resident potter, Justin Guy will be on hand to discuss the kiln and the heritage of pottery in and around Edgefield.

All activities during the Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale are free of charge and are meant to provide a variety of options from which the public can pick and choose. For a detailed schedule of events or to receive the official Heritage Trail Pottery Tour brochure visit (www.facebook.com/HeritageTrailPotteryTourSale) or e-mail to (bellhousepottery@gmail.com).

Greenwood and Edgefield counties are both located along the SC National Heritage Corridor.

This year’s tour is partially funded by the Greenwood County (SC) Community Foundation and the town of Edgefield, SC.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call Dohnna Boyaijan at 864/554-0336 or e-mail to (dcollinsboyajian@gmail.com).

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