DawsonTimes.com Your free local source for news, events, and business in and around Dawsonville, GA

Three northeast Georgia folk potters have been recognized officially as significant contributors to the 200-year tradition of folk pottery in the region, announces Chris Brooks, Director of the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia.

"This recognition includes adding distinctive pieces of their work to our permanent collection, adding their pictures to our display of contemporary folk potters, and adding the potters and their locations to the Folk Potters Trail of Northeast Georgia,” Brooks explains.

Mike Craven’s potter ancestors migrated from North Carolina into Georgia in the early 1800s.  Mike and his brother Billy Joe founded Craven Pottery in Gillsville in 1972.  After 40 years as a production garden-ware potter, Mike Craven now concentrates on decorated wares.

Rex Hogan trained with Mildred Meaders and her daughter Annette, learning to turn and mix glazes.  He began turning on a wheel loaned to him by Whelchel Meaders.  Rex specializes in sculptural figures.

Kevin “Turkey” Merck trained under three Gillsville potters: Wayne Hewell, Jeff Standridge and Michael Purdue.  Realistic snakes and caricature face jugs are his best known creations.

The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia is located on Georgia Highway 255, just ¼ mile from the intersection with Georgia Highway 17, four miles southeast of Alpine Helen.  Museum hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 1-5 pm.  Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors; $2 children.  For further information, telephone (706) 878-3300; contact www.folkpotterymuseum.com.

Site Classifieds: artists