Ceramic Project The Face Jug An American Classic

Catawba Valley Pottery Catawba Valley Pottery describes alkaline glazed stoneware made in the Catawba River Valley of Western North Carolina from the early 19th century, as well as certain contemporary pottery made in the region utilizing traditional methods and forms.

At the turn of the 20th century the food industry began to rely increasingly on glass and canned food storage along with refrigeration. These innovations brought about a severe decline of the utilitarian pottery industry nationwide, including the pottery community in Catawba Valley. Potters who chose to continue the craft had to rely on tourism and an interest in handmade crafts fostered by the American Arts and Crafts movement. Innovations included decorative techniques such as "swirl ware" ; pottery made by combining two or more different colors of clay. They also introduced unique forms such as "face jugs". The origin of this form is obscure, but it may be derived from traditional German pottery forms such as the Bartmann jug. Face jugs became, and continue to be, popular with collectors of folk art pottery. These efforts notwithstanding, by 1960 only one craftsman, Burlon Craig, was still producing pottery in the Catawba Valley.

What you need to know History of Face Jug Making How to Construct a Jug using slab building method. How to build a face on your pottery piece. How to store clay work.

What do you need to DO Watch Power Point Presentation. Fill out worksheet for design. Turn into me. Watch demonstration on constructing a jug from a slab. Build your pottery. Wait for it to be fired and then glaze.

How to make a Face JugFace Jug