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Featured potter John Fulwood of Kissimmee River Pottery in Frenchtown, NJ demonstrated his techniques for spectators. By Marla Dalrymple
Staff WriterCrowds flocked to the Western North Carolina Pottery Festival held in Dillsboro on Saturday for a chance to see nationally renowned potters demonstrating their craft. More than 35 potters were selected to take part in the festival and offer their clay creations for sale to the public. Booths filled with fine pottery of all functions spread along Front Street. Many potters also sat at their wheels demonstrating their skills and conversing with passers-by.The juried event included works from local potters Joe Frank McKee, Travis Berning and Brant Barnes, all of Dillsboro, as well as many artists from across the Eastern United States. This year’s featured artist is John Fulwood of New Jersey. Others came from as far away as Texas, Illinois and Ohio. [click here for the full photo gallery] Fulwood has been making functional pottery for more than 30 years and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree. He believes that successful pots are developed through an equal partnership between the clay, the fire and the potter. Fulwood said his experience at the festival has been wonderful.Potter Tony Holman sat at his old style treadle wheel molding white stoneware clay into a large bowl. “I like the porcelain feel of this clay,” he said, “it’s a real fine stoneware.” Hailing from Texas, Holman said he has also been a potter for 30 years. This is Holman’s third year attending the Pottery Festival in Dillsboro.Artist Stacey Stanhope of Georgia explained how she and partner Chris Baumann paint or dot wax resistance on the pots, apply blackslip on top, then fire them in a salt kiln to produce an unusual, double-layered antiquing effect on the clay. Potter Richard Marshall of Waxhaw, N.C. creates mystical creatures called woos. Woos live in burrows and abandoned houses, hoard lost keys and turn to stone when caught. Their stone remains, however, bring peace and good fortune to beholders.Marshall said the event has been enjoyable. “It is one of the better shows I have been to,” he said. “They have a nice set up. I have been impressed.” People eagerly asked questions of their favorite artists who personally manned the merchandise booths. Artist Laurey-Faye Long of Balsam said each of her pots is a “quiet poem to the Southern Appalachians.”The annual event is sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. |
