Here’s some work as provided in this photograph from Whynot Pottery. (Courtesy photo)
SEAGROVE – Nearly four dozen pottery shops in the area are participating in this week’s “Celebration of Spring” tours.
“It is one of our two main events of the year,” said Kathy Bryant, president of the Seagrove Area Potters Association. “It’s a pretty awesome event. It kicks off the spring season.”
The activities are based on self-guided tours at participating shops from April 19-21. Each shop specializes in certain styles.
There are more than 50 pottery shops in the Seagrove area, with 44 of them involved in the tours. Some shops that are normally closed Sundays might be open April 21 as part of this event.
For the spring celebration, one shop may have a kiln opening while another may offer demonstrations or studio tours, according to the association’s information. Shops are independently owned.
Bryant, who owns Carolina Crockery/Hatfield Pottery, said this is the time of the year that members might unveil new colors and new designs.
“The whole area is based on tradition,” Bryant said. “It’s an opportunity for us as a community to put out our story and get our message out.”
Visitors can pick up maps and booklets at participating shops or by visiting www.discoverseagrove.com.
In the downtown area, attendees can find seven or eight shops within walking distance of each other. There also will be an information tent.
Three gift certificates will be given away as door prizes. To enter, visitors can tag @seagrovepotters on social media by April 21, or they can fill out a card at participating pottery shops during the Celebration of Spring. People who post a selfie at a Seagrove pottery shop or with a piece of pottery they obtained in Seagrove will be entered into the social media drawing when they mention or tag the shop, and tag Seagrove Potters on Facebook or Instagram. Winners for three drawings will be chosen May 25.
Bryant said some shops could attract up to 100 visitors daily or others might be a stopping point for just a half-dozen visitors.
“We have all sorts of folks,” she said. “It’s a wide variety.”
