The Village Potters Clay Center (TVPCC), located in Asheville’s River Arts District, welcomes one and all to their biggest annual event of the year. The Multi-Kiln Opening (MKO) Celebration will take place on Saturday, May 4, from 11am – 4pm. The event will take place throughout the facility, with demonstrations in the Teaching Center and in front of the gallery, and special exhibits in the gallery. The event is free and open to the public, and The Village Potters gallery will also be open regular hours, from 10am – 5pm.
The Teaching Center will feature ongoing demonstrations by each of the resident potters, including a “throwing big” demonstration by Sarah Wells Rolland and Julia Mann, and surface design demonstrations by Lori Theriault and Caroline Renée Woolard. Katie Meili Messersmith will be demonstrating her low, wide platters, and in front of the gallery, Judi Harwood will demonstrate Raku and other alternative firing techniques.
Two special exhibits will also be happening during the MKO. A collective exhibit by all resident artists, “Nurtured by Nature” will be showing in the Special Exhibits gallery, and in the Feature Gallery, Caroline Renée Woolard will be showcasing new works and installations as the Spring Featured Artist.
Demonstration times and other event details will be announced closer to the event, and more information may be found at thevillagepotters.com or by following @thevillagepotters on social media.
The Village Potters are Sarah Wells Rolland, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Katie Meili Messersmith, and Caroline Renée Woolard, along with Director of Operations, Keira Peterson. They comprise an intentional Collective of potters who share a commitment to nurture creative exploration through education, experience, and community. The Village Potters includes a fine craft gallery, a Teaching Center offering ongoing classes in wheel, hand building, and sculpture for adults, an Advanced Ceramic Studies Program, and online demonstrations and workshops. The Village Potters Clay Center is an educational member of The Craft Guild of the Southern Highlands, and is an official distributor for Laguna Clays.