News-Record.com

The Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery in Seagrove recently has been the center of disrespectful, negative, inflammatory rhetoric aimed at dividing our community of peaceful potters.

Because the allegiance of Seagrove potters lies with one another and with this community, we have chosen to support a separate festival on the day of the Seagrove Pottery Festival, and to withdraw support for the museum.

While we recognize and deeply appreciate all of the positive accomplishments of the museum and its founder, the late Richard Gillson, we have decided we will not remain dependent on the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery to make decisions that financially affect us during an already sluggish economy.

We feel the museum has acted irresponsibly in purchasing a piece of property it cannot afford. We also feel the museum does not reflect the aspirations of the Seagrove potters.

The time is right for Seagrove potters to assert their independence, take matters into their own hands and rise above the political fallout that results from the museum seeking financial support for unrealistic goals.

Michael Mahan
Robbins

The letter was signed by 46 other potters in the Seagrove area.