Seagrove, North Carolina, located just a few miles south of the North Carolina Zoo in Randolph County, calls itself the handmade pottery capital of the United States. It is home to dozens of potters, and the tradition of pottery-making there dates back to the late 1700’s. English and German immigrants are said to have settled the area and quickly realized the value of its strong, red clay for making pots and dishes. Since then, the tradition has grown, and now the area is now a mecca for pottery and pottery-related history.
Events held there include the Seagrove Pottery Festival and the Celebration of Seagrove Potters, and the town is also home to the North Carolina Pottery Center and the Museum of Traditional NC Pottery. The Seagrove pottery directory lists dozens and dozens of potters in the area.
Six of the area potters (represented by four potteries) are providing mugs to WUNC listeners as part of the Spring 2013 Fund Drive. For a pledge of $120, or $10/month as a sustainer, you can choose to have WUNC send you a one-of-a-kind handmade mug created and fired in North Carolina from a Seagrove potter.
