The North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove announces the opening of the exhibit "Collector's Eye, Series I: Seven Perspectives."

This exhibit will explore North Carolina pottery through pieces selected by seven North Carolina collectors. The collectors in this series are Monty Busick, Steve Compton, Bragg Cox, Leon Danielson, Joe Foster, George Hoffman and Joe Wilkinson. This exhibit presents an interesting perspective on North Carolina pottery. This is the first of the "Collector's Eye" series that will begin the visual journey around the state through the collector's eyes.

Monty Busick, an educator for 37 years and currently a consultant for Wake County Schools, is the current president of the N.C. Pottery Collectors' Guild. His collection is from the Seagrove and Pittsboro areas, focusing on Mark Hewitt's apprentice's work.

Leon Danielson, an economics educator at N.C. State in Raleigh, and his wife, Sue, moved to North Carolina in 1972. They collect N.C. art and utilitarian pottery generally with an emphasis on Hilton pottery from the Catawba Valley. Their collection of Tobacco Road pottery is remarkable; they established this business with a partner in 1979 utilizing the turning skills of C.B. Craven and the artistic talents of Ernestine Hilton Sigmon.

Joe Wilkinson, an antique and fine arts dealer from Spring Hope, worked summers in the early 1970s with Dot and Walter Auman at Seagrove Pottery, developing a concentrated interest in pottery. Wilkinson collects transition period pottery (1916-1930) and utilitarian pottery being transformed by Arts and Crafts influences.

Steve Compton was first introduced to North Carolina's pottery traditions in the mid 1970s while on assignment as a photographer for the Mebane Enterprise-Journal. Steve collects 18th to 19th century earthenware, utilitarian salt-glazed and alkaline-glazed stoneware, and early to mid-20th century art pottery. Steve is currently district superintendent for the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Bragg Cox, a North Carolina native, has collected N.C. pottery for 12 years; he collects early utilitarian, transitional, art and figurals from North Carolina and focuses on pieces with exceptional glazes, decoration and form. Bragg also collects Southern decorative arts including folk art.

Joe Foster is a self-taught potter, having begun as a pottery collector. He began working for Archie Teague around his shop in the 1990s, where he learned a great deal. When Teague died suddenly in 1998, Foster found himself with the increased responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the shop.

George Hoffman, originally from Delaware, Ohio, has been collecting pottery for 25 years. He began collecting North Carolina pots when he was traveling down U.S. 220 from Ohio and stopped in Seagrove at Seagrove Pottery on his way to Seven Lakes. He collects early Jugtown, early Ben Owen III, Billy Ray Hussey and candlesticks.

The opening reception is Saturday, Dec. 4, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and is being sponsored by the North Carolina Pottery Collectors' Guild, Raleigh. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be open through Feb. 12.

Exhibitions are made possible through the generosity of our membership, the Mary and Elliott Wood Foundation and the Goodnight Educational Foundation. This project is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The mission of the North Carolina Pottery Center is to promote public awareness of and appreciation for the history, heritage, and ongoing tradition of pottery making in North Carolina. The center is located at 233 East Ave., in Seagrove. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call (336) 873-8430 or go to www.ncpotterycenter.org.