A Weekend In Seagrove: Festivals, Celebration And Tragedy - With A Dig That Was Earned

I did not attend the pottery festivals & celebrations in Seagrove this past weekend. For a lot of reasons, I just did not feel up to it. There's still a very big hole in my heart . . . and with all of the in-fighting and mud-slinging, putting a smile on my face would have been a chore.

But Sheila Ray (of the "upstarts") popped in to give me a report . . . and I very much appreciate her feedback. Sounds like there might have been reason to polish that smile after all. I've asked for a rain-check for next year.

This is what Sheila had to say (and I've not edited out her "dig" at SPF . . . for this year, I think COSP earned the right to dig):

Oh Dr. J, you should have came to the COSP festival!

It was very classy and beautiful. The Gala was an absolute hit, with over 400 people attending. Beautiful one of a kind collaborative pieces.

Sid Luck's, "Luck's bean" pot, sold for $2100, and yes we had alcohol, jazz music and heavy orderves. Saturday was very crowded and people were buying.

Over 5,000 people visited us this weekend. It was confusing for some of the people who were not aware of the two shows. They commented the SPF was a big disappointment and a waste of $12.

Unfortunately, one of our potter's studio, Chris Luther's**, caught on fire Saturday night and burnt to the ground. It is believed the wood stove caught on fire and even sadder their pet bulldog was inside. On Sunday, potter's were lined up donating pots and money to the Potter's Relief Fund. Even in this tragedy we had a great weekend.

There was an essence in the air as never before. We surpassed our expectations.

Seagrove is truly a unique and wonderful place to live. I think "Archie" would be proud of us.

Yes, Sheila. I think he would be;)

The Courier reports "it all worked out". But there is a lawsuit still pending.

We'll see after Phil Morgan counts his receipts.
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**From the Courier: The Potters Relief Fund was created several years ago to assist potters in times of illness, fires, accidents or other catastrophic events.

Space is provided at several galleries in Seagrove where potters donate pots for sale. Monetary contributions can be made to Potters Relief Fund, First Bank, 121 W. Main St., Seagrove, N.C. 27341. Contributions can be to the general fund or earmarked for the Chris Luther family.