The 16th Annual Spruce Pine Potters Market (SPPM) takes place October 12th and 13th, 2024 at the Cross

Street Building, 31 Cross Street, Spruce Pine, NC. The show features over thirty potters from Mitchell and

Yancey counties. Admission is free.

In the beautiful western NC mountains, scattered in Mitchell and Yancey counties, live and work some of the

finest nationally and internationally known clay artists in the field today. SPPM is an annual weekend gathering,

organized collaboratively by clay artists, that always takes place on the second weekend in October.

Clay enthusiasts will experience a unique opportunity to see a wide variety of new clay work and visit

with exceptional artists in one convenient and convivial spot.

SPPM's beautiful venue, a former textile factory with large windows, high ceilings, wooden beams and floors

emphasizes the open, informal displays of artwork and encourages interaction. Artists and enthusiasts look

forward to lively visits and conversations that strengthen relationships between makers and collectors. Participating

artists look forward as well to visiting with each other and seeing the freshest new work of their colleagues.

This year, Spruce Pine Potters are delighted to welcome exciting, new artist members. Andy Palmer, Daniel

Garver, Julie Wiggins, Kurt Anderson, and Stormie Burns bring fresh perspectives and work.

Andy Palmer grew up in upstate NY; he's taught ceramics for over 23 years. Palmer's work encompasses a

wide range of techniques including pit-fired, low fire oxidation, and high temperature wood and soda firing.

His forms are figuratively inspired and tactilely appealing. "Because my main love is with experimentation

and clay/ firing/ process testing, I have got to be the most inconsistent ceramicist I know. But I wouldn't

change it for anything." Andy and his wife, Silvia are co-owners of In Tandem Gallery in Bakersville, and

Palmer speaks of living in this unique community, " Everyone supports and helps whenever and wherever

they can. And that's not something I see in many areas of my life, but among ceramicists it's truly the norm."

Daniel Garver, originally from Wisconsin, moved to Mitchell county, NC attracted by opportunities to work

with local potters, including SPPM member Courtney Martin. At the moment, Garver says, "My favorite

things to make are large slip cast vessels. My process is heavy on the front end of drafting out ideas, and

breaking those drawings down into components that I then form into interchangeable plaster mold parts. The

casting system I created allows me many variations that keep my mind curious and sharp while working."

Garver looks forward to joining SPPM, "I am very excited the SPPM group is open to include artists such as

myself that are working on the edges of traditional North Carolina pottery. I believe in this community; the

ability to work alongside and together with one another has created an atmosphere that is thriving."

Julie Wiggins grew up in Jacksonville NC, and began her clay journey in 1997. Mentored by SPPM member

Suze Lindsay, Wiggins received a BFA from East Carolina University in 2001 and an honorary degree from

the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China. After a successful time as a potter, teacher, and studio manager in

Charlotte, she moved to the Penland School neighborhood "in the sweetest community of potters. The support

of each other is what makes our community of makers so unique." Julie forms her elegant utilitarian

pieces from porcelain clay using a combination of wheel thrown and hand built techniques, and fires in an

electric kiln. Known for her unique hand drawn floral and geometric designs. Julie describes her work as

" mindfully handmade pots and wares for the home, inviting touch and curiosity." "In a world with so many

distractions I'm pushed to make work that makes you pause and connects to your heart space." In 2022, Julie

received "Best in Show" at the Mint Museum's Potters Market.

Kurt Anderson's unique ceramic pieces are primarily made from mid range red clay, covered with white slip,

decorated with underglazes, finished with clear glaze, and fired in an electric kiln. Originally from California,

he attended the University of Wyoming, Louisiana State University, and was a resident at Archie Bray

Foundation in Helena , Montana. Anderson reflects, "Invent a universe. Give it its own rules, it’s own logic.

Break the rules, bend the logic. Fill it with beauty and terror. Laughter and joy and misery and sorrow. Don’t

leave anything out. The breadth and width of human emotions. It’s all valid." Anderson's experiences include

visiting artist, adjunct professor, studio technician, resident artist. On living and working in Spruce Pine, he

says, "What I love most about living in this area is the knowledge that when I’m in my studio grinding away

to meet a deadline, dozens of other artists are in their studios grinding away to meet deadlines. It makes me

feel as if we are all silently encouraging each other." Anderson says joining SPPM is "an unparalleled opportunity

to be a part of one of the most dynamic ceramic communities in the country."

Stormie Burns completed her Penland Core Fellowship in 2019, and held short term residencies at Haystack

School, Deer Isle, Maine and at Penland School Craft. Through the processes of mold-making and slip casting,

she creates colored porcelain vessels with a focus on double walled/hollowed forms. Burns says, “By

drawing from my personal vocabulary of form and shape, my work often holds a softness and sharpness at

the same time." Burns speaks engagingly about her community here and of SPPM, "I’m thrilled to be a part of

this stellar group of artists and work together to organize and execute such a highly anticipated event. It’s

something truly special to live and work in a community that appreciates and supports ceramic arts." When

not in her studio creating exquisite porcelain vessels, Burns can be found in her garden where she cultivates

flowers for bouquets and arrangements.

SPPM artists practice a wide variety of techniques and processes, aesthetics and styles. On exhibit are: sculpture,

functional pottery, large to small scale work, work suitable for everything from kitchen cabinets and

tables to mantels and walls. As well as 2024's new artist members, showing this year are Rickie Barnett ,

Pam Brewer, Cynthia Bringle, Naomi Dalglish & Michael Hunt, Susan Feagin, Terry Gess, Jason Hartsoe,

Lynne Hobaica, Lisa Joerling, Nick Joerling, Michael Kline, Shaunna Lyons, Jeannine Marchand, Courtney

Martin, Linda McFarling, Shane Mickey, Teresa Pietsch, David Ross, Michael Rutkowsky, Ruth Fischer

Rutkowsky, Valerie Schnaufer, Ken Sedberry, Galen Sedberry, Gertrude Graham Smith, Joy Tanner.

Each year, selected SPPM artists donate pieces for a sweepstakes. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit a

local non-profit. Chosen by membership, our 2024 Sweepstakes partner is Mitchell County Animal Rescue

(MCAR). Fifty percent of the sweepstakes proceeds will be donated to MCAR. Donating artists are Michael

Hunt and Naomi Dalglish of Bandana Pottery, Stormie Burns, Susan Feagin, Andy Palmer, Ken Sedberry, and

Julie Wiggins. Sweepstakes tickets will be available to be purchased on line a www.sprucepinepottersmarket.

com and on site.

The Spruce Pine Potters Market has become a wildly popular event, attracting local and regional visitors as

well as those who travel long distances to attend. The show provides a unique opportunity to visit with and

collect from exceptional clay artists, each offering a large, fresh selection of their finest work. It’s a “neighborhood

show of national significance.”