Thirty pottery shops and almost 100 ceramic artists will come together for the 13th annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters Studio Tour in November, just in time for holiday shopping.

Traditionally, all of the potters gather under one roof, but this year, each shop will open its gallery for a huge gallery crawl. Seagrove pottery includes functional tableware, home décor, art pieces, and large-scale works. Guests can find examples of raku, crystalline, stoneware, salt-glaze, and wood, pit, or kiln-fired pieces.

Holiday shopping sustains many potters for the entire year.

“Seagrove is a mecca visited by potters from across the country,” said David Fernandez, Seagrove mayor and potter at Seagrove Stoneware Pottery. “Some of them, like myself, have stayed. The tradition and the availability of materials attract the potters. Customers realize that in one location they can find virtually anything made out of pottery.”

Celebration organizer Mary Holmes says sales during this annual weekend event support many potters through the winter. The tour will take place 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Nov. 20-22.

“This year’s event — coming in the wake of the pandemic when people haven’t traveled much — has never been more important for the sustainability of our community,” she said.

The Seagrove Pottery tradition dates back to the 18th century, including the establishment of the renowned Jugtown Pottery in 1917. Potters continue the tradition in their families, some for more than nine generations. Today, more than 75 shops, galleries and studios dot the pastoral countryside along Highway 705, also known as Pottery Highway.

Tours begin at Luck’s Cannery at 798 NC-705 in Seagrove. A welcome tent will be staffed with volunteers wearing masks to answer questions and share a printed pottery map. Pottery maps are also available at discoverseagrove.com/celebration.