Hickory – The Historical Association of Catawba County along with the Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival steering committee announces the 23rd Annual Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival (CVP&AF) will take place Saturday, March 28, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. This renowned event gathers together over 100 potters and vendors from across the southeast to showcase and sell their unique artistry and craftsmanship.

Saturday’s festival also includes live demonstrations and a special lecture series and exhibit. This year’s exhibit is “Daniel Johnston: Single Pots to Clay Walls” presented by Daniel Johnston, a well-known Seagrove potter, a macho maker of large jars, and a regular at the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival. Dr. Henry Glassie, College Professor of Folklore at Indiana University and renowned folklorist whose books explore folk arts from many regions of the world will present “Clay Walls: Daniel Johnston’s Massive Assemblages”. Dr. Glassie is the author of Daniel Johnston: A Portrait of the Artist as a Potter in North Carolina, published by Indiana Unversity Press. Glassie and Johnston will give the lecture together and be available to sign copies of the book during the festival.

The Friday Night Preview Party on March 27th from 7 to 10 pm will be held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center and will feature a Southern Fare menu, cash bar, and live music. This sellout event is the primary fundraiser for the Festival and provides guests with the opportunity to purchase festival items early, time to interact with vendors, and enjoy a fun night of great food and entertainment. All Preview Party guests will be entered in a drawing for a $200 gift certificate to be used Saturday at the festival. To be eligible for the drawing, tickets must be purchased by the March 18th deadline. The raffle winner will be announced during Friday’s event.

Tickets for the Friday Night Preview Party are $45.00 and include admission to Saturday’s festival. These can be purchased online or through direct mail (see direct mail directions below). Tickets for Saturday’s festival are $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children ages 3 to 12, and can be purchased at the door. For more information about the CVP&AF, please visit www.catawbavalleypotteryfestival.org.

Purchase Online or Purchase by Mail: Download and fill out order form, include check or money order and mail to:

CVPAF, P.O. Box 2583, Hickory, NC 28603

About the Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival
The CVPAF began in 1998 with a mission to showcase the history of Catawba Valley alkaline glazed stoneware and the potters who are committed to producing this traditional utilitarian ware. Development and growth have allowed the festival to include potters from across the state and the South, as well as dealers offering historical pottery and antiques, providing a context for understanding the history and use of pottery in the South. The Festival is a non-profit event benefiting the Historical Association of Catawba County in Newton, and the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove. Over the past 23 years this event has not only donated funds to both institutions but has provided economic impact and educational growth to our community.