Crafting a Community: Seagrove + Star, NC
Where do you go to see a hive of both tradition and innovation in a longstanding rural craft community? For our recent spring board meeting, CERF+ trustees and staff spent three inspiring days in North Carolina around the adjoining towns of Seagrove (known as the U.S. capital of handmade ceramics with over 90 potteries) and Star, home to STARworks, a new center for creative enterprise in a former hosiery mill. Through studio and gallery visits, tours, and gatherings, we met a mix of emerging and established artists — some from the region, some from other states and a few transplants from as far away as Japan and Estonia. Take a look at our photo album!
Welcome to STARworks, a former sock factory in Start, North Carolina.
Board Chair Eddie Bernard, owner of Wet Dog Glass, gives a tour of the inner workings of STARworks Ceramics.
A visit to beneficiary WhyNot Pottery in Seagrove.
Eddie Bernard and his team built a custom table for our board meeting.
A space for enterprise and creativity.
Fifth generation potter Chad Brown shows off his groundhog kiln, built brick by brick.
Inside potter David Stuempfle’s dirt floor studio.
Download a map to visit potters in Seagrove.