On the same weekend as Robbins Springfest and Clenny Creek Day, April 18 and 19, Seagrove area potters are planning kiln openings and special events in their shops.

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters Web site, www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com, and the Seagrove Area Potters Association Web site, www.discoverseagrove.com, will showcase all the events taking place in Seagrove over this weekend, dubbed "Celebration of Spring in Seagrove."

The kiln that was fired at the N.C. Pottery Center on April 4 will be unloaded during the week of April 18, and each participating potter will donate one of the pieces to the Pottery Center's fundraising auction taking place on Saturday.

The annual fundraising auction is a crucial event for the Pottery Center, with proceeds from the auction helping to keep the museum and educational center open and operating.

A silent auction will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. with light refreshments from 4 to 5. The live auction starts at 5 p.m. All the events are free and open to the public.

"The Celebration of Seagrove Potters is a gathering of diverse clay artists joining forces to showcase the traditional and contemporary pottery of the historic Seagrove community," says a representative. "Our goal is to maintain the authenticity of Seagrove pottery by working together in a community effort to promote the historical, educational and artistic aspects that can be experienced when visiting Seagrove, and to draw customers to the shops to have a firsthand Seagrove experience."

Their first joint event was the Celebration of Seagrove Potters last fall, November 21-23, 2008, which they condidered a resounding success.

The following kiln openings are scheduled:

Avery Pottery and Tileworks -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday -- will have lots of new work fresh from the kiln. It will have a new selection of salt-glazed and ash-glazed ware, and Laura will have lots of new tiles and porcelain jewelry.

Ben Owen Pottery -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday -- will have some new experimental glazes available as well. A preview and refreshments will be 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. prior to the opening.

Bluestone Pottery Kiln -- Saturday and Sunday.

Bulldog Pottery -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday -- will have a fresh kiln full of their comfortable and rich Moka glaze pottery. Customers can select from covered jars, mugs, cups, bowls, pitchers, serving bowls and platters. There will be a few surprises with Gholson's fossil fish that are more than just bones, and Henneke's bugs that soon become your friends.

Cady Clay Works -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday -- will host "The Masked Pottery," a gallery show of handmade clay masks by owner Beth Gore. This mask series has been in the works for over two years and will represent several different approaches to the theme. Featured masks have been made from clay that has been carved, incised, layered, altered and embellished with found objects.

Refreshments will be served and shoppers can register for prize drawings.

Cagle Road Pottery -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday -- will also give a free $30 candle lantern with the purchase of $30.00 or more potter, (as long as candle lanterns last).

Caldwell-Hohl Artworks -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- will feature new garden sculptures, bird baths, wind chimes and much more. Studio and house tours will be offered.

Crystal King Pottery -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday -- will feature a selection of bright red glazed vases and unique face jugs made by the Kings. Customers will receive a 10 percent discount on such items.

Small animal hand-building demonstrations will be going on throughout the day by "Grandma Peggy." Crystal King will be joining her parents at King's Pottery for annual family wood-fired kiln opening.

Dean and Martin Pottery -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday -- will feature a new series of work for spring. It will have many fresh forms, both functional and sculptural.

Jeff will have teapots, decorative serving bowls, mugs, unusual vases and jars. Stephanie has made a new series of hand-built boxes, wall art, 'flower child' cups, coiled forms and many serving pieces.

Dirtworks -- 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays -- will offer Raku demonstrations and a special kids event (12 and under from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with hands-on clay and wheel experiences.

Dixieland Pottery -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the pottery business. There will be specially signed pieces for the spring kiln opening, refreshments, demonstrations and tours.

Dover Pottery -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday -- will have Eck McCanless turning demonstrations both days. Drawing will be held for an exquisite piece of crystalline pottery.

Fireshadow Pottery -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- will feature its spring line of water fountain/bird baths, glass-topped tables, gazing balls for the garden as well as a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition to its shop, this will also take place at its Blue Moon Gallery on Saturday.

From the Ground Up Pottery -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday -- will be stocked up with a variety of pots, focusing on "soul pots." Those are pots designed to absorb and release positive energies of love and kindness. The shop will also be making tree soul pots, Southwestern soul pots, wood-fired soul pots, local clay soul pots, horse hair soul pots and more.

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.