Behind each unique piece of folk pottery thrown then fired in a North Georgia mountain kiln is a story and a family name to go along with it. Probably the most noted name in Northeast Georgia Mountain pottery is the Meaders family of White County, known for their famous and highly sought after face jugs. The story goes that the jug was created as a crockery jar with a side handle and a scary face to keep children out of the corn whisky. Today, face jugs have become internationally known as a distinctive feature of Northeast Georgia pottery.
Over two hundred years of Blue Ridge history is represented in the clay and fire glazed pots, jugs and other crockery found on display at the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, at the Sautee Nacoochee Center on Georgia Hwy 255 North. Collectors of folk pottery will appreciate the museum’s dioramas detailing the intensive work that went into making the pottery used in everyday life in the 1800’s and 1900’s. Clans that created, first, functional ware, then more decorative, colorfully glazed pieces in demand today include famous Northeast Georgia family names like Meaders, Hewell, Dorsey, and Ferguson. The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia is one of only a few museums in the world to focus only on pottery and is a treat for those who savor folk art tradition.
If you are a folk pottery lover, be sure to save the date for this year’s Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia’s 5th Annual Pottery Show and Sale, Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 10:00AM-4:00 PM. Everything from face jugs to functional ware will be offered for sale from Northeast Georgia Folk Potters in the historical Nacoochee Gym, as well as local and regional exhibitors demonstrating and selling their pottery throughout the grounds of the Sautee Nacoochee Center. As in years past, each exhibitor will display a favorite creation, visitors will vote on their favorite and the piece that receives the most votes will be placed on display in the Folk Pottery Museum.
In addition to fine art, jazz, blues, country, pop and rock favorites will be provided by southern recording artist Kurt M. Johnson. Hawg Wild Barbecue of Clarkesville will have food and drink for sale throughout the day.
Preceding Saturday’s show and sale is a free lecture on the local tradition and heritage of folk pottery, Friday night, August 30, 2013 at 7:00 PM presented by Georgia University folklorist Dr. John Burrison at the Sautee Nacoochee Center Theatre. Burrison will base his talk on two of his books on folk pottery, Brothers In Clay and From Mud to Jug.
Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn and Spa is located just a mile from the Folk Pottery Museum at the Sautee Nacoochee Center. Make your reservations today and enjoy the 5th Annual Folk Pottery Show and Sale, then head over to Crush Fest 2013 at Yonah Mountain Vineyards, both on Saturday, August 31. It’s a great way to bring your summer to a memorable end!