I’ve got some updated news about the effort to save the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC. Meredith Heywood of Whynot Pottery in Seagrove has written to tell me that the Center has almost taken in $30,000 in donations toward their $100,000 goal. Every contribution adds up. She also told me that a NC couple has offered a $10,000 challenge contribution to cap the Pottery Center’s fund drive once the Center has raised $90,000. They hope that this challenge will encourage many others to “reach” for that $90,000 goal as soon as possible. They are making this challenge contribution in honor of Drs. Everette James and Nancy Farmer.
That leaves $60,000 yet to be raised. It would only take 2,400 people to make a $25 electronic donation on the Center’s website (www.ncpotterycenter.com). Or, as I’ve said before – a few sugar daddies or momas could make a few BIG donations.
There are now several different ways to help save the Center springing up all over. The next big opportunity is an upcoming auction of over 200 pieces of pottery at Leland Little Auction & Estates Sales (www.llauctions.com) in Hillsborough, NC, on Sept. 28, 2008, starting at 2pm. This auction fundraiser for the NC Pottery Center will feature the legendary collection of Art Ware pottery of Dr. Everette James, as well as Catawba Valley pottery, Eastern Piedmont salt-glaze, and other Art Ware pots donated by many well-known collectors and potters from across the state. An illustrated catalogue will be posted online prior to the auction.
There is now an eBay auction link on the Center’s website where you can make bids on donated pottery to benefit the Center. And, potter Mark Hewitt is raffling a two gallon salt-glazed jar, valued at $350 – at $20 a chance. The drawing will be held on Aug. 31, 2008, at 5pm. Details are at (www.hewittpottery.com). A $20 ticket could win you a $350 value.
So now there are many fun ways to help save the NC Pottery Center. You can buy a raffle ticket, wage a bidding war on eBay or attend a live auction, but to the good folks at the Center – that $25 electronic donation is mighty exciting. And, you can do that right now. I know I felt a bit of excitement when I made our contribution there.