Yes, Michael Kline’s Spring kiln opening takes place Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 9am – 5pm, at Kline Pottery located at 4062 Snow Creek Road in Bakersville, NC. But, before we get to that…
I first met Michael Kline through his blog, Sawdust & Dirt, News from the pottery shop of Michael Kline, during the effort to save the NC Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC. Kline was one of the blogging potters helping to spread the news about the effort to save the NCPC. And, then I met him, in person, during the first “Cousins in Clay” event held last year and again this year, at Bulldog Pottery in Seagrove. He is a model of a socially networking artist, talented potter, skillful teacher through his blog, and nice guy – an important factor in my book.
Our first conversation centered on two basic themes: how do we turn this blogging thing into something that is financially beneficial – for him selling more pottery and for me gaining new audiences for our supporters (advertisers), as well as the paper in general, and second, expanding my coverage of the effort to save the NC Pottery Center and highlighting Seagrove pottery to other pottery areas around the Carolinas. That conversation was the inspiration for our Blog Category – Not About Seagrove Pottery – a sort of inside joke about my focus on Seagrove.
As of today, the count for entries for the Not About Seagrove Pottery is (25 including this one) and the count for About Seagrove Pottery is (27), but it should be noted that some of those 27 also share the Not About Seagrove Pottery category, so we might be closer to even. But I’ll take this moment to say that we need to hear from those folks in the greater pottery community of the Carolinas outside of Seagrove and I don’t want anyone to take their eyes and ears off the NC Pottery Center – it still needs all our support to keep the doors open and expand its offerings. They are not out of the woods yet and may never be in this economic climate.
OK, here’s a bit of info about the kiln opening I found on Kline’s FaceBook page:
Please join us in our first annual Spring kiln opening with over 400 new pots from the kiln to add to your collection!
Get away to the mountains where the landscape will be bursting with the bright colors of fresh flowers, green leaves and the thick carpet of new grass! Take a deep breath of the clean mountain air and take in the beautiful vistas from the front porch steps of the pottery. The lawn will be filled with new pots!
There will be a preview on the evening of May 7, 2010, where you can browse the entire collection and enjoy the company of other collectors with refreshments.
On Saturday morning the sale begins at 9am and continues until 5pm or until the pots last. Come early to get the pots you like!
Visit the website to join the mailing list and receive announcements via e-mail or regular post.
Back to me – Kline is also a member of the Potters of the Roan group. I found this description on that website which also highlights and makes links to the other members.
Roan Mountain is one of the highest and most beautiful portions of the Appalachian Mountains. It is also home to the Potters of the Roan, a guild of nationally recognized as well as emerging professional potters who have formed a guild to share resources and promote our work. Connected by geography, creative commonalities, and friendship, the Potters of the Roan represent a rich diversity of styles and talents. Our studios are open to the public year round and surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of Roan Mountain – famous for its vast views, extensive balds, and natural rhododendron gardens. We invite you to travel the scenic roads of Roan Mountain, visit our studios, and experience the unique landscape that inspires our work.
Go to Kline’s kiln opening, but if you can’t make it, visit his blog – you can buy his works there and if you’re ever in that area of North Carolina – pay him a visit and sit on that porch and find out for yourself that he was telling the truth about those beautiful vistas.