Linda Loggains is President of the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery - which puts on the annual Seagrove Pottery Festival. There has been much ugliness this year . . . as a large group of disgruntled local potters have broken ranks and resolved to put on their own show.
Here's the message: Sweetie, get your head out of your butt (I'm still savoring an anatomically-impossible Hancock moment). It's YOUR JOB to find out what the "beefs" of the local potters (who've pulled out of your big bad festival) are. And your festival is NOT going to be "as strong as it's ever been in the past" without the locals you've apparently left behind in the mud.
If you don't know what's wrong (because no one has brought you their concerns), try venturing down off the summit of your mud-pile and finding out what those concerns are . . . and act accordingly.
PLEASE don't be like the small mill-town gods & un-convicted felons running Randolph Hospital.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
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9 comments:
A Message To Dr. Mary Johnson From Linda Loggains
It sounds to me like you should think about changing your profession. You might make a good potter since you are so good at slinging mud. The "small mill-town gods & un-convicted felons running Randolph Hospital" would probably agree with me.
I know what my "job" is and I think I do it very well. I don't get paid for what I do. I spend many hours away from my home and family to help the potters in any way I can. I am available to any potter who has questions or concerns. All they have to do is call me or come to see me. As to our Festival, it will be as strong as ever. We have close to 80 of our original potters and craftspeople already signed signed up. We have left no one "behind in the mud." I don't play in the mud. I haven't lied to anyone like some I could name. They are the ones who left us, but our Festival is still open to any that wants to come back.
Perhaps it is you who has a body part located where it shouldn't be since you like to blow hot air about something you know nothing about. Have you ever been to Seagrove to discuss these matters with me? Have you ever tried to learn the true facts?
Linda Loggains
President
Museum of NC Traditional Pottery
Chairperson
Seagrove Pottery Festival
Catfight!
I'd actually love to study pottery. I don't have the time because of what the mill-town gods and unconvicted felons (who were covered in mud before I started flinging) did to me.
Perhaps you should do some homework on the truth yourself - you'd know what they've been running/hiding from.
Madame President, if you want to talk about the hours spent away from home and family for a cause, you CANNOT hold a candle to me.
And I could care less if those cretins agree with you. Two of them deserve to be in jail.
I love it when people reveal their true colors. For instance, you're someone who expects people to call you - to come to you - you don't go to them. And you're arrogant enough to believe that your Seagrove festival will be "as strong as ever" without the local Seagrove artists you've managed to alienate.
OBTW, great way to represent the museum. Did your Board approve your message?
This mess has been brewing for years - since way back when I might have been able to hop down to Seagrove and visit you.
If I'm home, I hope to attend both festivals.
So I will repeat my message. Wake up and do something to fix it.
I'm not the person you need to be chatting up. And let's just say, if this is your negoitating style, I can understand why the pottery community is now split in two.
Your message to me has just proven "the other side's" point.
I hope you're not suggesting that the Seagrove Pottery Festival actually belongs to an exclusive group of potters just because they say so.
My learned understanding of the "other side's" points:
1. Some Seagrove area potters want to restrict the size of the area that is, by N.C. Statute, described as a specific geographical area.
The Museum has adopted the statute definition of the "Seagrove area". Although I am no pottery historian, what I have read indicates that Lee county plays a significant role in the development of the Seagrove Pottery Tradition, and should be included within the definition of the birthplace of North Carolina Traditional Pottery.
2. Some potters are convinced that writings and opinions of Don Hudsonhave been destuctive to Seagrove.
The 2008 Sanford Pottery festival show publication was critical of the Pottery Center's attempt to steal the festival in early April of this year, but IMO, that does not satisfy a claim that Sanford harms Seagrove. In fact, just the opposite is true and anyone could read the show publication for themselves and come to the same conclusion.
3. Some potters are upset that the Museum purchased 400,000 dollars worth of property and are not willing to see their support of the Museum (paid through festival booth fees?) being used to satisfy that debt.
This property is being used to house a free information center that assists and directs Seagrove area tourists to visit the pottery shops of their choice. Booth fees are paid as an entry into the show and is an expense to participate - no different from hotels, gas and meals. As a business-minded craftsman, I could care less what they do with my booth fee other than maintain and promote the festival.
4. Some potters are upset that they do not have a "voice" in how the Museum operates.
Everyone needs to understand that the Museum does not exist at the mercy of, nor to exclusively serve the Seagrove area potters. This can be a sensitive Seagrove issue. But when the Museum does its job well, the potters reap the rewards. For 27 years, those rewards include a prestigious annual pottery festival and the operation of a free non-exclusive information center that directs area visitors to local shops - year round.
5. Some potters do not want to include traditional crafts in the festival.
Traditional craft artists have always been a part of the Seagrove Pottery Festival - from the very first show. They are an important part of the festival's tradition, and IMO, such claims after 26 years tend to indicate elitist and exclusive ideas of how the festival should operate.
Ordinarilly, I would agree that the Museum needs to be more pro-active in its ability to address concerns of local potters. However, they already expressed those concerns in an ultimatum to eject one of its board members. They defaulted on that particular offer and it was subsequently refused anyway. They also attempted to steal the festival in early April of this year. That effort also failed.
One failure has typically lead to a new, additional claim.
A competing festival, however large its base has become, appears to be nothing more than a continuation of self-serving desires to take what they have always wanted. Each and every argument in support of a competing festival falls short as an alternative to addressing concerns of local potters. Although I'd like to think some sort of "negotiated" settlement could be reached, the only "fix" at this point appears to be defending and promoting the 27th annual Seagrove Pottery Festival.
Depending on how you view our current economic situation, it seems rather foolish to take on the original festival. IMO, we are headed towards extremely difficult times and I could argue that a total collapse is just 'round the bend, but that's another story.
The economic stability of many of the smaller, less fortunate Seagrove area potters is being tinkered with during a time when all should be united in a effort to make this year's festival the best ever. The Museum presses on with that effort for the benefit of potters and attendees who support it.
Much of what I have written about here is located on the Seagrove Area Diversity blog. I hope you have time to drop by and study up on the issues.
Lee Chesson
Woodworker/Designer/Craftsman
Board Member of The Museum of N.C. Traditional Pottery
Lee, you're doing it too (one of those potters on the opposite side of the fence thought Linda's response to my prod was "classic" for the museum). Because I do not live in Seagrove - and are not versed in every aspect of the dispute, I am not well-learned? I don't have the right to an opinion?
What I know about what is going on comes from interactions with a good friend (now dead) YEARS ago - a fourth-generation-potter who knew this mess was coming because "some" people - now affilitated with BOTH museums - were too concerned about self-promotion and one-up-man-ship to do what was good for everybody.
Those "some potters" matter too. They need to feel they have adequate representation on your Board. "Some" of the rhetoric espoused by influential-albeit-provocative figures needs to be taken down a notch.
I will take a look at your blog.
My "position" is that I love Seagrove pottery and Seagrove potters (well, most of them anyway). Both sides have room to move and work to do to fix this sorry mess. Both sides could stand to be more tolerant and more inclusive (as my dear, departed Archie was) . . . and more respectful/supportive of one-another's work.
But I've dealt with the "Mountain" approach (i.e "we're somebody and you're nobody" - "we're untouchable and "you're something to stomp") to negotiation for ten years now in Asheboro (the kind the unconvicted felons at Randolph Hospital employ . . . and again, Ms. Loggains needs to do her own homework before she spouts off her mouth on where my mud comes from), and I'VE GOT NO USE for it. I think the people of Seagrove can be better than Asheboro on that point.
This is a personal blog. I speak for me/myself/I (and, I think, the "little people" of a town that has been ill-served by the greed & machinations of Bob Morrison and Steve Eblin). And I'm (admittedly) looking through this through my own prism of reference - as one of the "unwho's" of Asheboro.
But You sit on a Board. Did the Board approve Ms. Loggain's little tirade here? Does your Board approve of threatening a Pediatrician for expressing concerns about quality of care? Firing a Pediatrician after she's saved a life? Lying under Oath?
All the big guns in Asheboro (from the Hospital Board to the DA to the City Council) do.
Economically speaking, "We're going to stronger-than-ever", is not the thing to be saying as people walk out your door.
Somebody needs to wake up.
But you're too busy defending your "stand".
And that's EXACTLY the tactic employed by the "small town mill gods" in Asheboro . . . and the unconvicted felons whose every under-handed/nasty/illegal action they've blessed and protected for ten years.
I don't think Seagrove has that long.
I agree that both sides can move towards a solution. More often than not, there is always a solution that accomodates both sides. I am a big believer in win/win scenarios, and believe that conventional win/loose teaching is a flawed and ill-conceived product of sinful men.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and I take the time to respond to yours because I respect your desire and willingness to express them and I wish more of those who have a dog in this fight would do so. Since you are so willing, I just thought I'd share some info that could help you reach them.
I'm glad you mention abuses. I also hate the unfairness of abuse, particularly the first-hand variety:
- I was in the room when a certain county official told the Museum Executive Committee that the school was off limits (according to his sole discretion); and that the Museum should hand the festival keys to the Pottery Center and consider dissolving itself.
- I was in the room at the town council meeting when BOTH festival permits were approved. Before me lie the Street Vendor Ordinance clearly stating that a permit will NOT be issued if the proposed event interferes with a previously approved event. The Seagrove Pottery festival permit had already been issued to the Museum, yet the Council issued a permit to Ben Owen III nonetheless.
Although I will try to keep an open mind, I do not agree that those who would engage in and support such abusive tactics deserve a seat at the table.
I am sure you can understand that defending my "stand" does not include giving in to such abuse.
And yes, Seagrove had better get it's act together.
There are two sides to every story. Again, speaking from my own perspective, I certainly agree that it is too bad when only one side is given credence by officials charged with the public good.
I know a lot about being denied a seat at the table. In ten years, the Board of Directors of Randolph Hospital has never deemed it necessary to hear my side of what happened. They did not care because they were "who's" and I was a nobody (so was the baby I saved - as were, apparently, the parents/patients they lied to in order to keep "the business"). The Randolph BOD swallowed Morrison & Eblin's "What, who us?" act hook, line and sinker. Moreover the Board has given "the team" big, fat raises (on the public's dime) as they covered their tails at my expense. So I know all about "abuse".
In my case, the officials involved are condoning felonies - fairly "sinful" since they involved lying under Oath.
You did not answer the question. Did your Board condone Ms. Loggain's remarks here?
As far as I can tell, in this pottery brouhaha, nobody has been significantly injured. Yet. So work it out, Mr. Chesson. That means climbing down off the high horse, leaving any petty grudges at the door, and pulling out some chairs.
Do it now . . . before the grudges turn into actual damages, and it is too late . . . before somebody does get hurt.
Because that somebody could be like me - unforgving, determined and firm in their resolve.
I got a comment last night from an anon called "Pay Attention" that listed all of our general economic woes as they pertain to festivals - I would assume to make the point that letting the event devide amd crumble is not good for the community. It's a good point, but the comment did not really fit into the thread of conversation here and was not posted.
I also got this message this morning in my Inbox from another potter:
"Linda Loggains sent out a letter again inviting any potters from the Seagrove area a place in their show. She now states they have 80 crafters in the show and the festival will be open to other potters in the surrounding
areas, along with other crafters around the state!!! When did the Seagrove Pottery Festival turn into an arts and crafts show?."
I suppose the answer to that question is, "When 80-some Seagrove potters pulled out." I personally don't have a big problem with crafters as "fillers" (provided the quality is good) ... but again, just sending out letters in a situation as dire as this does not cut it.
"Linda Loggains....now states they have 80 crafters in the show..."
Someone is pulling your leg because the above quote is false.
"...and the festival will be open to other potters in the surrounding areas....."
The above is mis-leading because the Seagrove Pottery Festival includes potters from the Seagrove area defined as 5 counties - Randolph, Lee, Chatham, Montgomery and Moore. Other "surrounding areas" are not included.
If you'd like to see for yourself, say the word and I will post a copy of the letter and press release.
"When 80-some Seagrove potters pulled out."
80-Some potters have not pulled out and the show will not be filled out with traditional crafts. There has always been a 75% potter to 25% traditional craft ratio.
Heavy sigh. Honestly Lee, you are about as thick as the people running Randolph.
RIGHT OR WRONG, I AM NOT THE PERSON YOU-ALL NEED TO BE TALKING TO!
It was my original point to Linda (before her head started spinning/spewing) - and it's still my point to you.
Please, please, please STOP dickering with me and start talking to the potters/artists that have, for whatever reason, decided that your event is not for them.
Get over yourselves and pull out the chairs.
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