Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: https://ballantynemagazine.epubxp.com/i/42111
include multigenerational potters who grew up there making pottery; people who grew up in Seagrove and learned to do pottery; and people who grew up in other areas but were drawn to the area because of its history and the benefits that come from living in a rural pottery community. inclu potte s who grew up there ude mu generational ter ultig making pottery; people who grew up in Seagrove and learned to do pottery; and people who BULLDOG POTTERY C WESTMOORE POTTERY "If you build a new kiln and it's not working quite right, you can talk to your neighbors and they know what you mean," Farrell says with a laugh. "It's a real mix of people and ages — old and young. It's a nice place to live, too. We have enjoyed being here and raising a family here." Farrell grew up in Durham WINTER 2010-2011 County, her husband in New York state. The two met in the Seagrove area while working for Jugtown Pottery, 330 Jugtown Road. They combined their shared passion for clay, and each other, and opened their own shop 33 years ago. "When we opened there were five potteries in the area," Farrell recalls. "Only three of those five are still around. We have a lot of others that have opened since then. Now there are more than 100 in the area." County, her husban York Se k stat te. The two S agrove area while Jugtown Pottery, 33 Road. They combine More than Seagrove Proper The area, generally referred to as Seagrove, extends well beyond the small town of Seagrove, just south of Asheboro. "Seagrove itself is a very tiny town," explains Farrell. "Not until 20 years ago was there ever a pottery within the town limits. The oldest potteries still going now are really about eight miles outside of the town." The reference to Seagrove pottery can lead to confusion. "It's a whole area of pottery. From one end to the other, it's probably an hour's drive, maybe 40 minutes...," she continues. "A lot are clustered off Highway 705 (known as Pottery Highway), which runs between the towns of Robbins and Seagrove." All are grouped around the central CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 2000-2010 WHYNOT POTTERY spoke of U.S. 220. "People who are planning to come sometimes get the idea they can park and walk," Farrell says. "It's not like that. It's a driving trip. On our road there are something like 10 places all within three miles. And some are more far-flung. "People just need to realize it's not like a mall," she adds. "These are individual pottery shops where potters make the pottery and sell it on the premises. The potteries are scattered all throughout this area." Visitors range from high-end collectors to interested pottery newbies and people shopping BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE 89