The Givens Estates pottery studio is among a select few chosen to be a beneficiary of rare Catawba Valley “wild clay,” as part of an initiative to celebrate one of Western North Carolina’s most distinctive natural and cultural resources.
The gift was made possible by the generosity of the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest and the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a nonprofit working for the stewardship of land, water and working farms in an eight-county area. The physical properties of the clay offer extra durability, enabling potters to throw much taller and larger vessels, such as 10-gallon jugs, storage jars, as well as face jugs, a historical tradition of handcrafted ceramic or stoneware vessels featuring sculpted human faces.
The clay is found only along the Catawba River and its tributaries, and it has supported one of the region’s most distinctive legacies. The Givens Estates craftsmen were among just 12 artists to be given the material.
Givens Estates has an amazingly active pottery studio where residents like Blake Salmon, a pottery studio leader, can explore their creativity and build hands-on skills. Members also come together to craft ceramic pieces for worthwhile local causes. Through their work, the pottery group has become a regional benefactor. Throughout the year, residents give their time and talents to making bowls that raise funds and awareness for food insecurity. Their work has supported Empty Bowls events benefiting Haywood Pathways Center in Waynesville, Beacon of Hope in Marshall, Saint John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock, and MANNA FoodBank in Asheville.
The Givens Estates pottery studio plans to use the clay to create unique pieces for donation to food banks – including face jugs – and other folk art designed to showcase the clay’s unique origin, tying an old regional tradition to very current needs.
