Seagrove PotterySeagrove Pottery and our ceramic heritage in the
Sandhills begins with the abundant and diverse natural clay deposits found in
the northern "clay country" area The first immigrant potters arrived in the latter half of the 18th century. Most
The building of the old Plank Road in the mid
19th century, and later the emerging railroad system, gave potters access to
even wider markets and helped to establish Seagrove’s In the early 20th century, the combination of modern food preparation methods and the Industrial Revolution, with its cheaper and more available factory-made pottery, was devastating to potters across the country. Most closed their doors forever, but because of their remote rural location and the local whisky distilling industry, Seagrove potters were able to survive a few decades longer than most, even though the effects of Prohibition were crippling. Driven by economic necessity, lack of other job opportunities, family pride, and their own love of clay, many potters worked on against all odds.
Those who persisted in the Seagrove Pottery area were
rewarded in the early 20th century as the world started to take notice. The increase in travel by wealthier
World War II ushered in a new era for Seagrove Pottery. In addition to evolving public taste and sending a generation of potters off to war, many of the materials for the new glazes became unavailable. By now it was obvious that flexibility and change were essential elements of the Seagrove tradition, and the potters were able to face the challenges with confidence. The immediate solution was high volume production of small pieces for the wholesale gift market. An individual potter might produce more than 500 pieces each day, all the same shape. By the 1950s, Seagrove area potters were working
as a group to promote the The 1960s and 1970s were characterized by strong social changes across America. Both the “hippie” movement and the 1976 bicentennial brought about renewed interest in handcrafts. Some of the old Seagrove area pottery families continued to train their own children or other interested apprentices, as they had for generations. Other ways of learning to make pottery began to leave an imprint on the area as well. The development of ceramic programs by nearby community colleges led to the training of many area residents in the craft. Studio artists seeking a “back to the land” lifestyle, and academically trained potters began to settle in the area, These new potters, like the first English and German settlers, brought visible and constant changes to the area throughout the entire remainder of the 20th century. The Seagrove and Robbins area of the Sandhills
is one of the largest communities of potters, with the longest continual history
of pottery making in the United States. The area is home to
more than 100
potters who offer a full A visit to the Seagrove area potteries gives visitors an experience no gallery can provide, which is a chance to visit with the artists in their own environment. It doesn’t take much encouragement to get potters talking about their work, and their passion for clay is evident. Those who have visited a pottery shop or studio in the Seagrove area of North Carolina have learned some basic lessons about handmade pottery.
It is not unusual to find third-generation
pottery customers driving the country
roads
on any given day, visiting potters that have
**Excerpts on history from Sandhills Area Pottery Association** Seagrove Area Homes Map of Seagrove Collectible Pottery Some of our favorite pottery links: Discover Seagrove NC Pottery Center in Seagrove Central Clay
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around Seagrove and Robbins. The native americans were
the first to discover this resource and they made practical pieces as well as
ceremonial objects, which are some of the most important remaining artifacts of
early civilization. The first ulster Scots and Germans that settled in the
Sandhills settled in the clay country as well, and immediately started making
pots, jars and decorative pieces.
came to our state
from Pennsylvania, Virginia and up the Pee Dee River. They bypassed the now well
known area, in and around Pinehurst and Southern Pines, because of the poor
sandy soil conditions. Potters arriving in the Seagrove area in the 1700s were quick
to realize the value of the local clay. They first made redware, some plain and
some decorated, using clay that fired to a reddish orange color. These early
pieces of Seagrove Pottery are often among the most coveted by collectors today. By sometime in the
first half of the 19th century, Seagrove area potters had switched predominantly
to making the higher fired salt glazed stoneware.
reputation as a Carolina pottery
town. These pioneer farmer-potters forged new styles based on their skills and
artistic visions, their surrounding natural resources, and the needs of their
growing community. Today these early Seagrove area pots are gaining
international attention as their value changes from that of utilitarian object
to cultural treasure. Kiln openings now are HUGE events, when a potter opens
his/her doors to allow customers and followers to come in and buy their pieces,
and often see loyal followers lining up before dawn and even camping out to be
first in line to get to the show room.
Americans, a growing awareness
of world pottery history, and the new availability of non-local ceramic
materials all contributed to change in Seagrove pottery styles. This period in
the area’s history is marked by an explosion in variety of forms and colors.
Collectors embraced this work; their patronage and their view of pottery as more
decorative than functional pushed potters to utilize new materials and new
firing methods to develop their work further. By the late 1920s, Seagrove
pottery was well known from the galleries of New York to the garden shops of
Florida. Thousands of these local pots have come on the secondary market at
antique stores throughout the country and are passionately collected by many.
area, produce exhibitions and print the first
area-wide pottery maps. This was done in a thoughtful way that paid respect to
their predecessors and laid the foundation for the current renaissance. The
continued strong support of North Carolina and its people for individual
craftsmanship helped keep the pottery industry vibrant.
spectrum of pottery and ceramic art. With a diversity
of talents, Sandhills area pottery has something to offer both the serious
collector and the casual buyer. This area offers the visitor an opportunity to
learn about North Carolina’s ongoing pottery culture, and you can spend days
traveling the "Pottery Road" on Hwy 705, visiting showrooms and local pottery
shops.
They have learned that
making pottery is much more complicated than one might think, requiring years of
practice, honing skills on the potter’s wheel as well as gaining knowledge of
clays, glazes and firing techniques. They have also learned that handmade
pottery is beautiful, and seductive. Whether utilitarian or decorative, the
pieces that come from the hands of the potter enrich the daily lives of those
who take them into their homes, and often lead to a life-long love affair with
handmade objects.
become old friends, as well as
checking out new shops that have opened since their last visit. The slow pace of
rural life and the quiet of the countryside are a balm for city dwellers, who
return time and again. When you come, be sure to wear a pair of comfortable
shoes. If you like, bring a picnic and help yourself to picnic tables available
at many shops. Find yourself wandering back in time to a place where neighbors
are friendly, families work together, and people still make things by hand, from
the earth, that will last into the future. Take the time to explore the more than
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