The 14^th Annual WNC Pottery Festival returns to the Western North Carolina town of Dillsboro on November 3, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Selected as one of the Southeast’s Top 20 Events and regarded annually as one of the most popular arts events in the mountains, the festival attracts several thousand pottery aficionados each year. This year’s event promises attendees top-tier craftsmanship from 44 master potters.

“This is always an outstanding event and the talent this year is out of this world,” said Joe Frank McKee, of Dillsboro’s Tree House Pottery, who co-founded the event. “The festival has grown immensely in recent years, showcasing the best applicants we’ve ever seen and earning respect from potters and art lovers nationwide.”

All potters compete for slots prior to the start of the festival, and this year’s event welcomes seven new potters for a total of 44 exhibitors. Dillsboro’s Front Street will be lined with tents featuring some of the country’s best handmade pieces. A large variety of styles and techniques will be showcased, ranging from glazed sculptural tree forms to mixed media pottery.

“The WNC Pottery Festival brings together some of the most experienced and talented potters from across the country to feature their work,” says McKee. “With artists from 17 different states representing a mixture of talents and skills, this is a must-see event for pottery fans everywhere.”

During the festival, visitors can watch throwing and firing demonstrations by some of the participating potters. Among the demonstrators will be this year’s featured potter, Judy Brater, of Knoxville, Tenn. Brater specializes in carving, painting and firing uniquely shaped slabs to form vessels unlike any other.

Pre-show events, including the Clay Olympics where potters can participate in timed competitions, will be held on Friday, November 2 before the festival. These events, as fun for spectators as they are for the competitors, will take place outside of Tree House Pottery from 1-3 p.m.

Admission to the WNC Pottery Festival is $5 per person and includes a raffle ticket. Children under 12 receive free admission. For more information, visit http://www.wncpotteryfestival.com/.

Pottery festival weekend often sells out, so plan your trip early and make a weekend out of your stay. Discover historic Dillsboro and see all it has to offer! From exploring the charming shops downtown, to sipping craft brews at the new 32-tap brewery just opened to chowing down on one of the country’s top 25 BBQ restaurants, Dillsboro has you covered!