STAFF REPORTS

CHERRYVILLE - Local potter Luke Heafner has some of his work on display at the North Carolina Pottery Center as part of its exhibit, “Fire in the Valley: Catawba Valley Pottery Then and Now.”

However, those interested in checking out his wares don’t have to make the trip to Seagrove. Heafner will hold his Christmas sale beginning 10 a.m. Saturday at his home between Crouse and Cherryville.

“There will be a wide variety of pieces available, from the functional to the more decorative types of wares,” Heafner said.

A native of Crouse, Heafner began making pottery in the Catawba Valley tradition around four or five years ago. Since working for several years with well-known area potter Kim Ellington, Heafner has devoted himself full time to putting his own stamp on the art form.

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“I want to help carry on the longstanding tradition of Catawba Valley pottery, while leaving my own mark on the tradition,” Heafner said.

One of a select group of Catawba Valley potters – and the only one from Gaston County – to have their work included in the North Carolina Pottery Center exhibit, Heafner says he strives to make pieces that are both beautiful and functional. He also enjoys gathering as many materials as possible from local sources.

Heafner recently participated in the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, as well as the Denver Art Trail. His work will be on display at the North Carolina Pottery Center through Jan. 30, but he’s hoping local residents will turn out Saturday to see what he has to offer.
For the past several years, Heafner has fired most of his wares in the groundhog kiln at Hart’s Square, a Catawba County site featuring one of the country’s largest collection of fully restored log cabins. However, he has also recently completed construction of a wood-fired kiln on his own property. Saturday’s sale will feature pieces from both.

“Working with the new kiln has definitely been an experiment, but I’m pleased with what it’s produced so far,” Heafner said.

Heafner says one of his goals is to help carry on the Catawba Valley tradition to be enjoyed by current and future generations of pottery enthusiasts. And he’s hoping some of those folks might live right here in Gaston County.

For more information about Heafner Pottery or Saturday’s sale, visit www.heafnerpottery.com. You may also contact Heafner at (704) 530-5818. Heafner Pottery is located at 170 Beagle Club Road, Cherryville.