On February 25, Upper School's Sculpture I students spent the day in Seagrove, North Carolina, exploring the state’s renowned pottery tradition through hands-on learning and conversations with working artists. The all-day educational field trip has become a meaningful tradition for the program, taking place once each semester to connect students with the living heritage of North Carolina ceramics.
The group’s first stop was the North Carolina Pottery Center, a dynamic and engaging institution where visitors of all backgrounds discover the beauty and stories behind the state’s world-class clay culture. As a gateway to Seagrove’s rich pottery tradition, the Center offers exhibitions, artist histories, and insights into materials and processes that deepen understanding of North Carolina ceramics.
For Country Day students, the visit also plays an important academic role. Following the trip, students complete a reflection paper critiquing a piece of artwork they encountered during their visit. The Pottery Center’s curated displays — paired with informative background on artists and materials — provide an essential foundation for this critical analysis.
The day continued at McNeill’s Pottery, a family-owned studio established in 1996. Students were welcomed into the McNeils’ gallery and workshop space, where Windy and Garrett demonstrated their techniques before guiding students through hands-on learning. Students practiced pulling handles and created their own pieces, including traditional face jugs, gaining insight into the ceramic process from design to firing.
Students also visited internationally recognized potter Ben Owen III, whose connection to Country Day is both professional and personal. As a young potter, Owen was invited by the school to travel to Japan with a group — an experience that helped shape his artistic journey and established a lasting relationship with the Country Day community.
During the visit, students watched Owen create a variety of forms on the wheel while discussing his artistic process. His apprentice demonstrated how large ceramic forms are constructed, and students had the rare opportunity to step inside a wood kiln while it was inactive — gaining firsthand understanding of traditional firing methods.
The day concluded at Seagrove Creations, a 4,000-square-foot gallery representing local artisans. Owners Michael and Sandra Walker welcomed students into their space and hosted them with an outdoor fire where they made s’mores — a warm reflection of Seagrove’s welcoming community spirit.
In addition to the artistic experience, the trip also provided an opportunity for meaningful service. The National Art Honor Society at Country Day collected and delivered donations to support students in need within the Randolph County school system. Donations included personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant; winter clothing, including jackets, socks, hats, and gloves; and other essentials such as chapstick, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer.
"Through demonstrations, hands-on experiences, academic reflection, and community service, Sculpture I students gained a deeper appreciation for both the technical craft and cultural significance of pottery," said Upper School visual arts teacher Karrie Matias, who led the field trip. "The annual Seagrove trip continues to serve as a cornerstone of the sculpture curriculum—blending artistic education with meaningful community engagement in one of the nation’s most celebrated pottery communities."