30th annual Appalachian Potters Market

The Appalachian Potters Market begins its thirtieth year with 66 potters under one roof. Each year, on the first Saturday in December, potters return to McDowell High School's commons area and gym transforming them into display and shopping spaces for potters and buyers from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Collectors and holiday shoppers will find a wide array of wares suitable to expand private collections as well as for holiday gift giving. Appalachian Potters Market provides an opportunity to see a variety of both traditional and modern claywork in one location. One can spend several hours browsing and chatting with the artisans about their work. Each year, visitors from throughout the country attend the Potters Market.

Many styles of handcrafted claywork will be showcased at the Market, including raku, sgraffito, decorative stoneware, earthen cookware, and traditional folk pottery. These styles are crafted as functional cooking and serving utensils, planters, lamps, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, decorative boxes, wall pockets, and aesthetically pleasing works of art.

This year several new potters who are registered will join clayworkers participating in past years.

Marion is located ten minutes north of I-40, one hour west of Hickory, 35 minutes east of Asheville, and 20 minutes south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The main entrance to McDowell High School is located on Business Routes US 221and NC 226 North of Marion, and US 70 West of Marion. If using the US 221 Marion Bypass, exit at US 70, and travel west one mile to the High School/Junior High entrance on the left. Ample parking space, behind the school building, and handicapped access is available. There is a $5.00 admission fee for those over 16. For more information, please call the McDowell Arts Council Association at 828-652-8610.

The McDowell Arts Council Association, sponsor of the Appalachian Potters Market, is funded through earned income; corporate, business, and individual contributions; the McDowell County Commission; the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency, and its' Grassroots Arts Program.