by Peggy Beach

RALEIGH – Student potters from the Professional Crafts: Clay program at Montgomery Community College in Troy will have a chance to show off their skills this week at the NC State Legislature.

Nine full-time pottery students and their instructor, Mike Ferree, will visit the NC General Assembly on Wednesday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the North Lobby of the State Legislative Building.

Legislators and visitors will be able to include their names in a drawing for a piece of pottery made especially for the occasion. Dr. Mary Kirk, President of Montgomery Community College, said that Ferree and his students will also make a piece of pottery during the visit.

Graduates of the Professional Crafts: Clay program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and are able to open their own pottery business, work for existing pottery businesses or transfer to a four-year degree program. Haywood Community College in Clyde and Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton also offer the Professional Crafts: Clay program.

Montgomery Community College has long been associated with pottery and is credited with the tremendous growth of the pottery industry in Montgomery, Richmond and Moore counties (the area around Seagrove). Last year, Arron and Gelynda Capel donated 185 pieces to the college’s permanent collection. Arron Capel is one of three owners of Capel, Inc., headquartered in Troy. Gelynda Capel is chair of the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees.

The oldest pieces in the college’s permanent collection are pre Colombian, some dating back to 2000 B.C. One of the pieces came from Montgomery County’s early Native American culture. Another piece was signed by master potter J.H. Owen and completed between 1900 and 1910. The collection is housed in the college’s library.

The NC Community College Faculty Association (NCCCFA) is sponsoring the event as part of its Legislative Days. The demonstrations sponsored by the NCCCFA are designed to reinforce the value and showcase the variety of programs offered at the 59 institutions of the NC Community College System.

-NCCCS-

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