Since its inception in 2002, the State Fair Pottery Expo tent has brought the work of dozens of North Carolina potters to Raleigh for fairgoers to admire and purchase for their own collections.
The exhibit has grown every year, according to Don Hudson, a Sanford potter who started the exhibit in 2002. In 2023, the tent featured the work of about 40 potters from across the state. This year, that number has almost doubled and around 70 potters will have their work at the fairgrounds.
North Carolina is nationally renowned for its pottery. Seagrove, NC, is one of the largest communities of potters in the United States, home to more than 100 potters and ceramic artists. Pottery has deep social and cultural significance across the Tar Heel state.
“The roots of agriculture and pottery are deeply entangled in the ground of our state,” Hudson said. “Without pottery, food (and drink) preparation and storage would not be possible.”
Each year, potters statewide are eager to participate at the N.C. State Fair. “We have a waiting list of more potters who wish to participate,” Hudson said.
Hudson has made pottery for nearly 54 years. He was asked to head the creation of the State Fair Pottery Expo based on his involvement with the Seagrove Pottery Festival and his work establishing the Sanford Pottery Festival.
Since the first year, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has shown support for the expo. Hudson said Britt Cobb, former North Carolina commissioner of agriculture, was supportive of the effort at the time of its inception, and current Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has continued to support the expo during his nearly 20 years in office. Sharon Troxler, Commissioner Troxler’s wife, frequents the tent – sometimes stopping by multiple times each year, Hudson added.
Now, Bo Williams, of Mudd Pottery in Eagle Springs, and his business partner run the State Fair Pottery Expo each year. Thousands of fairgoers stop by the tent each day of the fair to see the pottery on display.
“Many of them tell us they attend the Fair just to check out the pottery we show,” Hudson said.
The State Fair Pottery Expo tent is located between Gate 1 and the State Fair SkyGazer, between Dorton Arena and Hillsborough Street. The 2024 N.C. State Fair runs Oct. 17-27 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Hello! Lovely article. Great work! Random question, but do you have a closer up picture of the coastal pottery booth featured in the last picture? I am trying to track down the artist, but am having no luck finding a list of vendors at the state fair. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!