Crystalline pottery is one of the most difficult and temperamental glazes to use on pottery. Taking the challenge a step further, Morgan has created one of the rarest of all glazes -- a red crystalline glaze.

Crystalline reds are considered the most difficult glazes in the world to produce. They

are combining the natural crystal growth in the glaze during the firing cycle with the uncommon pottery tone as red as a rose.

Morgan, and his wife Julia, have owned and operated Phil Morgan Pottery in Seagrove since 1973. They have been joined by their son, Phil Morgan II and his wife, Dawn Tagawa Morgan.

After 25 years researching and trial and error testing, Phil Morgan and his family have developed a unique, intricate, painstaking, and expensive firing process. The wide range of shimmering reds obtained are worth the multiple firings that are brutal on the kiln and the potter.

"To say that these extraordinary crystalline reds are beautiful just doesn't seem fitting enough to describe the radiance of colors in these pots," says a spokesman. "They are like watching a shimmering goldfish swimming in a pond, seeing the ruby red slippers of Dorothy, or examining a shining garnet without a jeweler's loupe."

Morgan's new redder-than-red crystalline glazes will be featured on pottery created by Phil, Phil II and Dawn donated for the "Zoo to Do 2006," the annual fundraiser at the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro. The Zoo Society and Randolph Friends of the Zoo will host this event on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Also on Sept. 9, Morgan will participate in the Mint Museum of Art's Second Annual Potters Market Invitational from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Charlotte.

Other local potters participating include Donna Craven of Seagrove, known for salt-glazed pots that are wood-fired; Ben Owen III of Seagrove, whose grandfather, Ben Owen, was one of the earliest potters to work for Jugtown Pottery, and David Stuempfle of Seagrove, whose simple forms have been influenced by travels and exhibitions in Japan and South Korea.

For information about the Mint Museum fundraiser, visit www. mintmuseum.org.