Caldwell Hohl Artworks in Seagrove NC

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Caldwell Hohl Artworks

Caldwell Hohl Artworks is run by Bill Hohl and Sherry Caldwell-Hohl, a husband and wife team working together in clay, wood, glass and fiber with a Bill and Sherry from Caldwell Hohl Artworks contemporary presentation. Many of their pieces are hand carved with original free flowing designs. They strive for ongoing originality combining a love of texture, color and a passion for heart and soul in each piece.

Bill Hohl and Sherry Caldwell moved to Seagrove within two months of each other in 1994. They lived within four miles of one another but they were not to meet until the summer of 1999. Sherry remembers the first time she met Bill. “I felt that we had met before. I just couldn’t remember where or when.” As it turned out they had never met one another, but they soon discovered that destiny had given them the partnership and love each one had been looking for all their lives.

Sherry, a native of Winston-Salem, NC, had been exposed to pottery for years with trips through Seagrove with her mother and was also influenced by potters and fiber artists involved with the Piedmont Craftsmen Association. She left a corporate job in order start her career as a potter and most importantly, to make Seagrove her home. Her goals were to become part of the community, assist new pottery students and to make her mark as a recognized female potter in the community following the respected influences of Nell Cole and Dorothy Auman.

She was the owner of Frog Pond Pottery for ten years. Sherry developed a very popular and attractive line of utilitarian pottery. Each year, she has spent many hours with fund-raising projects to assist other potters in need. Creatively, she always felt there was a more fulfilling path waiting for her to discover. That path turned out to be her partnership with Bill and Caldwell Hohl Artworks.

Bill had spent his life in the business world, but in his own words he kept his sanity by making things. He spent time making furniture, baskets, stone Caldwell Hohl Floral Vase sculptures, wood turnings, jewelry, and more. The list was almost endless, and clearly was a reflection of an unsettled spirit. This changed after he met Sherry.

Their first artistic collaboration was a collection of pottery, glazed in black and decorated with sterling silver bands, brass rings, copper overlays, and stone inclusions. Sherry would throw and glaze the pots, and pass them to Bill for the metal work.

Their first public showing occurred at the 1999 Seagrove Pottery Festival. They had put together an eclectic, unusual selection of vases, lamps, fountains, sculptures and wall art. Within the first couple hours they had completely sold out of every piece that they had collaborated on. This exciting first step started the evolution of their artistic partnership and Caldwell Hohl Artworks.

Their work and their lives continued to develop, including marriage, and the creation of a life style. They did everything together, from landscaping their property, to building their log home, to making their pottery. It all involved this highly interactive collaboration. “The difficult part,” says Sherry, “was discovering how to work together on the same projects together and still maintain our individual creativity with a sense of heart and soul.”

Bill will tell you that when the results of their work became more important than anything else, then it didn’t matter who did what or whose idea it was to do a certain thing. It was at this point that they were able to critique their work, build on each others concepts, and get past their individual limitations.

They feel that their work together exceeds anything they could ever do alone. Much of their work has both a feminine and masculine influence. More than anything, it reflects the heart and soul that comes from two people who are in sync with one another.

Caldwell Hohl Artworks creations are constantly changing. “We do our best,” says Sherry, “to keep things fresh and new.” The couple is quick to tell you that they have a deep respect for the pottery history of Seagrove and pottery of the past from other cultures. “I don’t know if any concept is truly original,” says Bill. “Sherry or I will dream about a particular piece of work, and yet neither of us really knows where the dream comes from.”

When you pass down the driveway to their log cabin and gallery, and you see Caldwell Hohl Artworks Basket the gardens, and ponds, and animals. You will start to feel a sense of tranquility, of peace, and of harmony. This too is a result of their heart and soul. “We want our work to touch people” says Sherry. “We want to add joy to their lives and give them a special Seagrove experience. Our customers are like family, and everyone who visits has a good time.” Caldwell Hohl Artworks is definitely a must stop location on your next trip to Seagrove, NC or the Sandhills area.