beachbites Body, spout, handle Is it or is it not a teapot? By MARIMAR McNAUGHTON Photography by ALLISON POTTER More than 200 vessels will be exhibited for show and sale at Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmore, North Carolina, now through early September. Held once every three years, the invitation to the National Teapot Show is extended to more than 160 artists. “We’re always … looking for new artists,” gallery manager Jennifer Dolan says of this year’s show, the ninth. “It’s never the same.” Twenty percent of the teapots represent artists who have not previously participated Dolan says. From submitted images, a close-knit jury judges the entries based on teapot constructions and their contributions to the show. Potters as well as sculptors, glassblowers, metalsmiths, wood artists, fiber artists and jewelry makers are all invited into the process producing entries that cover the spectrum. Historically, the teapot is a classic shape recognized by many cultures. “At the same time … what can you do with a body, spout and handle? How can that evolve?,” Dolan asks. “Sometimes there’re just enough parts to it that people really debate on whether something’s a teapot or not a teapot.” When she arranges the show, Dolan often juxtaposes traditional pots with abstract entries. Through the show’s Viewer’s Choice Awards comments, a dialogue begins. “I may get comments like: ‘This is the ugliest teapot but I can’t imagine constructing it’ to, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the cutest little thing I ever saw’ and everything in between,” Dolan says. “Everybody approaches art from a different viewpoint and it’s really great to hear it,” she says. “It really gives people an opportunity to see things they may not stop to look at.” Pots will be available for purchase in the gallery or online at www.shopcedarcreek.com TEAPOT BY JACKSON GRAY 19 www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
2014-7
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