A Potter’s Paradise
Clay pottery is the one of the earliest forms of human artistic expression. Before words were even formed, communication and storytelling was expressed through artisan creations of sun-dried clay and, later, wood-fired bowls, vases, and more. For thousands of years, indigenous tribes–predominantly Cherokee–inhabited these luscious forests we still call home, and used theses earthen materials to create masterpieces from the mountains.
Nestled in the quaint mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina lies a small local pottery studio called Mud Dabbers Pottery, where the designs of Potter’s Name come to life in the same way these earthen works of art have been for thousands of years. Located just a short drive from The Greystone Inn, Mud Dabbers Pottery boasts one of the largest selections of locally-produced pottery in the mountains of Western North Carolina. “They offered an apprenticeship to me, and about a month later, I came on full time,” says Will Weigle, one of Mud Dabbers’ lead potters. “It felt like I had an opportunity to follow my dream, and now ten years have passed,” he continues.
“In pottery, it’s so easy to have variance. I weigh my clay out, but they’re all a little different. It’s an organic thing,” Will remarks. While mass-production of uniform objects has become the norm in modern society, the magic of Mud Dabbers Pottery becomes most evident in the tiny details that make each piece come to life with a unique story and characteristics. “Every time is different. There’s a little nuance in each one. You have a little more creative flexibility,” he says.
In an exclusive collaboration with The Greystone Inn, Mud Dabbers Pottery has crafted a custom hand-thrown mug complete with rich, earthen colors. For those who want to take a little bit of The Greystone Inn back home with them, this thoughtfully-crafted piece serves as a warm reminder of time well-spent at The Greystone in the heart of Western North Carolina. With every savored sip, this one-of-a-kind mug takes one right back to the cool mountain air and refreshing shores of Lake Toxaway.
If you take to the Blue Ridge Parkway to check out the foliage this Autumn, make sure to stop by the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk ArtCenter in Asheville, and learn more about other local artists.
