1. A Southern Folk Art Tradition
Face Jugs
A Southern Folk Art Tradition

2. History Face jugs can be dated back to the 1840s
Known as “ugly” or “grotesque” jugs
Thought to have begun in Edgefield county South Carolina
Made by African slaves who worked as potters
Put by gravesites as an offering
To distinguish different liquids from one another
Mid-late 20th century, two potters brought the Southern folk pottery of face jugs back
Burlon Craig
Lanier Meaders

3. Burlon Craig Lived in Vale, North Carolina
Credited for keeping the tradition of face jugs alive
Used traditional alkaline glaze in his work
Potters in the Catawba Valley region (Lincoln and Catawba counties) of North Carolina formulated an alkaline glaze type for use on their stoneware pottery. This glaze was compose of clay and wood ash, as well as one of two additional silica sources: iron slag, or glass. 
Two-sided face jug, circa 1983

4. Lanier Meaders Born in Cleveland, Georgia
Made ceramic churns, milk pitchers, food storage jars, and other functional vessels
His face jugs are what he is known for
His face jugs went through an evolution
Started out as blobs for the features
Evolved into more detailed and realistic features
Sold for as much as $3,000 a jug!

5. Face Mugs -Requirements-
Functional
1-2 facial expressions
1-2 handles (pulled or coiled)
Facial features are realistic
Slab built
Dimensions: 5”- 8” in height
Sketchbook Requirements:
2 different ideas = 2 mugs with different facial expressions
Dimensions
Process/plan written out
Colored (no more than 3 colors)

6. Realistic Features Not cartoon eyes Study facial expressions
Include wrinkles and skin folds
Think about proportions