A reason to Celebrate.

A year ago last weekend the First Annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters was held at the Luck's cannery in Seagrove NC.
We along with many of our fellow potters enjoyed a great weekend.
The second annual show is coming up this weekend.

If you read my blog you know we will be there along with about 65 shops which adds up to about 80 potters.

During the event last year, while we were all enjoying the show ,we had a turn of events which effected us all deeply.

On that Saturday night a fire struck at Chris Luther Pottery while the Luther's were not home but off at a friends house. The fire was related to a wood stove and the building was a total loss.

We had Studio fire in July of the same year, but lost only our main work building.
Chris and, his wife, Lisa lost everything in the building and the building.
The only thing left standing before the night was over was part of a wall and a piece of the tin roof.

We were all deeply effected by this tragedy at a time when spirits were high.
The community rallied around Chris to help and I know that he and Lisa appreciated all the care and love that came their way.

But as I said about our fire.

It is a walk in Hell.
A walk you don't wish on anyone and one you must walk many times alone.

We lost things, but Chris lost, kilns, gallery space, equipment, wheels, glaze recipes, notes, favorite tools, just think of all those things you have around you everyday.
To top things off they lost household items and a beloved family pet, Sassy.

But, if you know the Luther's, or ever meet Chris or have met Chris you will find that this is one of those people not to be beaten down.
He said to us, "I built it once, I will build it again."
And he is well on his way.

Mark and I have watched as the building has taken shape.
The ground was cleared, the block work went up, the trusses came in, doors, windows, electric, insulation.
All this while still maintaining a family life with three boys.

Chris and Lisa have come a long way in the past year.
They held their first kiln opening in October.
A "soft opening" in which many of their friends, family and customers came out not only to buy pots but to celebrate the rebuilding of the Luther's pottery.
To cheer them up and give them the hope they need to continue through the final stages.

The walls are up, but the devil is in the details.

I stopped by today just to say hello and see how they were doing.
Chris is busy getting ready for the show.
There were pots in all stages of ready.
They, like many of us, are loading tonight and firing tomorrow.

But for the Luther's this is the sweet rewards of the walk, the knowledge that things are falling into place.
The past year will become the past year,
it will be a year they will never forget.
Yet, they survived it and life goes on.
I fully get this.

I know for Chris ,that while he is not finished yet, there will be a point where it is just him and the wheel and the past year a faded memory.

The act of getting back to the life you were truly meant to live, like his ancestor's before him. The life of a potter which calls and whispers at you, calling you back again and again to the wheel to create.
It will be his again.

Our thoughts and best wishes are for him Lisa and the boys to Celebrate a job well done and enjoy their time at the Celebration Of Seagrove Potters.
Things will just get better and better!

M&M

Chris's new blog!