Seagrove Pottery (50 Amazing Studios in 1 Weekend Getaway)

When you think of Randolph County, Asheboro, and the NC Zoo are understandably the first things that come to mind. However, nestled 15 minutes from Asheboro is the quiet, amazing small town of Seagrove.

With a population of just over 200 and 100 potters living and working there, Seagrove, NC, absolutely earns its nickname as the capital of handmade pottery in North Carolina.

50 studios and galleries operate in the area, supported by a strong community around these artists.

Your first visit may feel a little overwhelming because there are so many potters here. In this guide, we hope to share how you can learn about and enjoy the Seagrove NC Pottery scene and the history of Seagrove Potters.

Here’s what you’ll find inside this guide:

Read More: Day Trips from Raleigh

Where is Seagrove?

Seagrove, North Carolina, is located in Randolph County, about 14 miles south of Asheboro (15 minutes away). The town is also 40 minutes from Greensboro and is less than an hour away from Winston-Salem.

Including those places is within a short drive from quite a few more places in Central NC, including:

• Pinehurst (45 minutes away)
• Lexington (50 minutes away)
• Southern Pines (50 minutes away)
• Concord (1 hour 5 minutes away)
• Chapel Hill (1 hour 20 minutes away)
• Cary (1 hour 30 minutes away)
• Elkin (1 hour 30 minutes away)
• Mount Airy (1 hour 30 minutes away)
• Raleigh (1 hour 30 minutes away)
• Durham (1 hour 30 minutes away)
• Charlotte (1 hour 40 minutes away)
• Fayetteville (1 hour 45 minutes away)
• Hickory (1 hour 50 minutes away)

You can visually travel to Seagrove and these nearby places with the following maps:

• Central North Carolina Map
• North Carolina Travel Map

Read More: Excellent Day Trips from Greensboro (Within a 2-Hour Drive)

The History of Seagrove Pottery

Check out our interview with sixth-generation potter Ben Owen III for the 18th episode of NC Travel Chat. Much of the information we have learned about Seagrove NC Pottery comes from this interview. Additional sources include NCPedia.

Pottery-Perfect Land (and First Potters)

The materials needed for pottery are pretty common around the Sandhills region, which covers Randolph County to Winston-Salem and even South Carolina. Ben Owen III explained to us that good red and yellow clays are abundant here, making this the perfect spot to produce quality pots.

Archaeologists and other researchers have uncovered artifacts proving that artisans knew about this land’s properties long before the Seagrove potters arrived. Native Americans like the Catawba tribe are credited with creating artifacts from this land dating over 3,000 years ago.

First European Seagrove Potters Arrive

Among the earliest recorded families to arrive in Seagrove were the Cravens and the Coles in the 1700s. These families originally came to farm, but they learned new skills that helped them adapt to the South.

They developed a new earthenware pottery tradition with a technique that allowed for a lower firing temperature. They also produced utilitarian vessels that could withstand going into a wood-fired baking style.

As more settlers moved to the area in the 19th century, demand grew for pottery vessels as they were used for food storage and other necessities. JD Craven Pottery was one of the most prominent potteries during that time.

As the Industrial Revolution emerged, demand for locally produced handmade pots shifted toward cheaper, machine-made metal and glass containers. Seagrove’s pottery scene ultimately survived but had to adapt to these tough times.

The 20th Century (The Busbees and Seagrove’s Emergence as an Arts Destination)

The pottery scene changed forever after Jacques and Juliana Busbee, a Raleigh-based couple, were introduced to Seagrove Pottery at local fairs and festivals. Jacques was a painter, and Juliana shared his admiration for art.

They established Jugtown Pottery near Seagrove and a shop in New York (Greenwich Village) that helped revive the fading pottery scene. A few artists from Randolph County even traveled with the Busbees to promote Seagrove pottery.

Seagrove potters’ work began appearing in museums, including the Metropolitan Museum, the Smithsonian, and elsewhere. The Busbees’ shop in Greenwich Village eventually closed, but the demand for Seagrove Pottery remains today.

While traveling with the Busbees, some of the potters picked up new ideas and techniques, sketching vessels from Mesopotamia, Southeast Asia, early Europe, and other styles. They started retooling and making pieces beyond jugs and pitchers, including vases, jars, and other ornamental pieces.

Ben Owen commented, “That was probably the most pivotal point regarding development in style and technique.” Other potteries in the area followed suit, transforming Seagrove forever.

Read More: The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It!)

Golfing Tourists Discover Seagrove

As Seagrove grew into a pottery hub, nearby Pinehurst in Moore County became a premier destination for golfers. More people traveled to play courses like No. 2, and others were built to meet the sport’s growing demand.

Between rounds of golf, these visitors also frequented the nearby Seagrove pottery studios and picked up pieces to take home.

Today, Seagrove pieces from the 1940s, 50s, and beyond are found in homes in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and many other states.

Today’s Seagrove Pottery

Address: 106 N Broad St, Seagrove, NC
Official Website

While heading south on US-1 and US-220, people often stopped by in Seagrove to purchase a pot or two. Business has slowed since the booming years after World War II, but Seagrove Pottery’s popularity has since returned.

Many colleges and universities throughout North Carolina offer pottery classes today, helping nurture and keep the art alive. Many in-state students join potters from around the world who move here to become apprentices, work full-time in studios, or open their own.

Travelers continue to arrive via the roads we mentioned above, hopping off Interstates 73 and 74 to drive along NC-705, also known as Pottery Road. This NC highway is among our favorite roads in North Carolina, thanks to Seagrove Pottery.

Annual Events

A crucial development in the area was the Seagrove Potters Museum, opened in 1969 by Dorothy Cole and Walter Auman.

The Seagrove Pottery Festival began in 1981 at Seagrove Elementary School and draws potters and craftspeople from across North Carolina.

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters, a newer event from the Seagrove Area Potters Association, features a pottery show at Historic Luck’s Cannery plus a self-guided studio tour of Seagrove-area potters.

Both events are held the weekend before Thanksgiving.

You can also follow these and other Seagrove events on the Discover Seagrove website.

Things to Do in Seagrove (Pottery and More)

Those events are certainly worth a spot on your calendar, but here are some things to do in Seagrove throughout most of the year!

The North Carolina Pottery Center (Your Starting Point)

Address: 233 East Ave, Seagrove, NC
Official Website

Today, you can learn about the area’s history, upcoming events, and which potters to visit at the North Carolina Pottery Center.

It’s the perfect starting point for any Seagrove visit, helping you find the perfect pieces to take home or studios to visit.

With 100 potters and 50 studios and galleries open to the public, you’ll need some help narrowing down your search. One or even two trips to Seagrove will never be enough to truly explore this unique place!

Visit Seagrove Potters (List Included)

The word of the day might be “overwhelm” after you visit the NC Pottery Center. Here are some of the Seagrove Potters we’ve visited over the years:

• Ben Owen Pottery (105 Bens Place, Seagrove, NC)
• Blue Hen Pottery (247 W Main St, Seagrove, NC)
• Bulldog Pottery (3306 US Hwy 220 Alt, Seagrove, NC)
• Crystal King Pottery (2475 NC Hwy 705, Seagrove, NC)

• Dean and Martin Pottery (7739 Nathan Ln, Seagrove, NC)
• DirtWorks Pottery (1226 NC Hwy 705, Seagrove, NC)
• Eck McCanless Pottery (6077 Old US Hwy 220, Seagrove, NC)
• Johnston and Gentithes Pottery & Sculpture (741 Fork Creek Mill Rd, Seagrove, NC)
• Jugtown Pottery (330 Jugtown Rd, Seagrove, NC)
• Original Owens Pottery (3728 Busbee Rd, Seagrove, NC)
• Potts Pottery (1128 Fork Creek Mill Rd, Seagrove, NC)

• The Triangle Studio (1140 Hwy 705, Seagrove, NC)
• Thomas Pottery (1295 S NC Hwy 705, Seagrove, NC)
• Village Pottery Marketplace of Seagrove (205 E Main St, Seagrove, NC)

The Randolph County Tourism Development Authority (aka Heart of North Carolina) has a full list of potters, including operating hours.

Where to Eat

Seagrove perfectly fits the definition of “small town,” but there are some big-time places to eat here:

• Fresh Cuts Butcher and Seafood Market (157 N Broad St, Seagrove, NC): Fresh Cuts sells wine, beer, and groceries, and there’s also a hot bar and deli to order from.
• The General Wine and Brew (124 W Main St, Seagrove, NC): This wine and beer bar sells light snacks, and food trucks also visit fairly often!
• Seagrove Cafe (126 S Broad St, Seagrove, NC): The Seagrove Cafe sells coffee, tea, and pastries to start your day. They also have sandwiches, salads, and sides ready!

Where to Stay

There are quite a few places to stay in and around Seagrove, including:

• The Duck Smith House (465 N Broad St, Seagrove, NC): You can’t go wrong with a locally owned bed and breakfast before starting your Seagrove pottery adventures.
• The Seagrove Stoneware Inn: Owned by Seagrove Stoneware Pottery (136 West Main St, Seagrove, NC), this home has multiple rooms to choose from. 
• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Campground Resort (964 Crestview Church Rd, Asheboro, NC): A wonderful, family-friendly campground in Asheboro. There are tons of events and amenities here to keep you on-site and never leave. Our friends at Heart of NC once hosted us there, and we’ll never forget our visit!

Find More Places to Stay in Asheboro

Ready to Discover Seagrove Pottery

Seagrove Pottery may seem like a hidden gem today, but we think visiting this area is one of the best things to do in North Carolina.

If you haven’t visited Seagrove yet, simply pick a weekend and take a trip out here! The Pottery Center is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you know the area and have an artist that you love, we’d love to know about them. Let us know in the comments or by email.

More Things to Do near Seagrove

Your Seagrove adventures will likely spill over into the rest of Randolph County. Here are some NC travel guides to help!