It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Cedar Creek Gallery gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ceramic, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Moses H Cone Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Margaux's Restaurant or visit North Carolina Pottery Center, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Ceramic, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ceramic, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ceramic, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The Annual Potters Market returns to Mint Museum Randolph this Saturday, marking its 19th year and showcasing over 50 ceramic artists from North Carolina.CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Annual Potters Market is returning to Mint Museum Randolph this weekend, featuring over 50 of the top ceramic artists in North Carolina.The event, happening this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the 19th annual Potters Market, and is the largest pottery sale in the state.Museum officials said this year's event has "added meaning,"...
The Annual Potters Market returns to Mint Museum Randolph this Saturday, marking its 19th year and showcasing over 50 ceramic artists from North Carolina.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Annual Potters Market is returning to Mint Museum Randolph this weekend, featuring over 50 of the top ceramic artists in North Carolina.
The event, happening this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the 19th annual Potters Market, and is the largest pottery sale in the state.
Museum officials said this year's event has "added meaning," as it falls on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina and impacted many potters and other artists across the region.
"In a show of solidarity and support, more than 30 artists from that region will be among the featured exhibitors," the museum said.
Potters will set up on the front lawn of Mint Museum Randolph located at 2730 Randolph Road. Pottery will be available for purchase at the event, and attendees can interact with the makers, listen to live music, watch pottery demonstrations, and enjoy the beer garden and food concessions.
The Potters Market ticket includes admission to Mint Museum Randolph.
This isn't the first time the Charlotte community has rallied around artists impacted by Helene. Back in December, over 30 western North Carolina potters were featured at the WNC Hurricane Relief Potters Market at the Park Expo and Conference Center. That event was a collaboration between The Mint Museum, Spruce Pine Potters Market, NC Pottery Center, Odyssey Clayworks, Potters of Madison County, and Toe River Arts District.
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To celebrate Great Trails State Day in North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 18, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has once again partnered with renowned Seagrove Potter Crystal King to produce 30 pottery pinecones to be hidden along selected trails in Moore County that day. This year, the 30 “Crystal Cones” will feature a blue glaze known as Moonlit Carolina, unlike last year’s, which were a faint orange in color with a pine green leafing. Each pinecone will be individually stampe...
To celebrate Great Trails State Day in North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 18, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has once again partnered with renowned Seagrove Potter Crystal King to produce 30 pottery pinecones to be hidden along selected trails in Moore County that day. This year, the 30 “Crystal Cones” will feature a blue glaze known as Moonlit Carolina, unlike last year’s, which were a faint orange in color with a pine green leafing. Each pinecone will be individually stamped, numbered and authenticated by King.
“We are so happy that Crystal (King) wanted to participate again in this special one-day program to highlight Great Trails State Day in North Carolina,” said CVB President and CEO Phil Werz in a news advisory. “The idea for a new color allows for those that found one of them last year to add to their rare collection of limited edition pottery pinecones. With the excitement generated each spring with our Pinecone Pathways Program, this allows the ‘coneheads’ to get their fix for one day in the fall.”
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Pottery Pinecone program, and it was fun creating the 30 pottery pinecones that will be hidden along trails in Moore County on October 18th,” said King, Seagrove potter and owner of Crystal King Pottery. “With these new pottery pinecones and our separate pottery pumpkins we produce each year, it will be a very busy fall.”
The CVB will announce which trails in Moore County where the pottery pinecones will be hidden at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. If found, finders are asked to register their pinecone at the event website and be automatically entered to win a $250 gift card to Crystal King Pottery. All ages are welcome to join the hunt, but only registered finders 21 years of age and older are eligible to win the gift card.
Crystal King represents 10 generations of pottery tradition in the Seagrove area. Her parents apprenticed with the late Dot and Walter Auman at the original Seagrove Pottery, which influenced her love and direction into the items she produces today. Her most popular works include sculptural and animal figurines, as well as folk-like and face jug themes.
Great Trails State Day is actually a law. The North Carolina legislature unanimously approved the measure in 2023 and became law under Gov. Roy Cooper. The day is now observed across the state on the third Saturday in October. Trails provide free access to healthy recreation, safe transportation alternatives, and contribute to the quality of life in communities of all sizes, making places desirable for residents, visitors and businesses. Trails are an important economic driver, serving as the backbone of North Carolina’s outdoor recreation economy, which reached $16.2 billion in 2024. As the fifth-ranked tourism state in the country, North Carolina attracts visitors in large part due to its diversified natural landscapes, from the mountains to the coast.
The one-day Great Trails State Day N.C. pottery pinecone hunt is an offshoot of the very popular Pinecone Pathways program, which started in the spring of 2023 to celebrate the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the program, the CVB decided to make the spring scavenger hunt an annual event. For the spring program, the CVB has partnered with glassmakers at Starworks, located in Star, to annually produce 100 colorful glass pinecones, which are hidden along trails throughout Moore County for a five-week period between the first day of spring and Earth Day.
Because there will only be a limited number of pinecones to be found in the program, the CVB asks that finders only keep one of them, and any additional ones found remain hidden on the trail.
The hidden pinecones will never be more than three to four feet off the ground and no more than three feet off any marked trail, but they may not be easy to find.
For more information about the Pottery Pinecones Program, go to: www.HomeofGolf.com/pottery-pinecones
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Seagrove, North Carolina may be tiny, but its pottery scene is anything but small.Within a 20-mile radius, about 100 potters live and work, producing everything from utilitarian bowls to dazzling works of art. On a recent trip to Seagrove, I discovered that nearly every back road leads to a potter’s workshop, each one offering a fresh take on the region’s centuries-old clay traditions.My first stop was the North Carolina Pottery Center, whose exhibits describe Native American pottery traditions, the contributions of...
Seagrove, North Carolina may be tiny, but its pottery scene is anything but small.
Within a 20-mile radius, about 100 potters live and work, producing everything from utilitarian bowls to dazzling works of art. On a recent trip to Seagrove, I discovered that nearly every back road leads to a potter’s workshop, each one offering a fresh take on the region’s centuries-old clay traditions.
My first stop was the North Carolina Pottery Center, whose exhibits describe Native American pottery traditions, the contributions of Moravian and Quaker settlers, the rise of art pottery in the 20th century, and the diversity of ceramics done in the state today.
“Before the Industrial Age, potters supplied everyday essentials for their communities,” said Lindsey Lambert, executive director of the North Carolina Pottery Center. “In North Carolina, the tradition endured long after it disappeared in most places, thanks to the state’s rich clay deposits and families who passed down their skills through generations.”
Seagrove in particular became a bustling hub for ceramics, its potters continuing to create sturdy jugs, pitchers and other vessels for everyday use. Over time, that practical tradition has expanded to include artists who push the boundaries of form, glaze and color. A highlight of the center is a showcase of representative work from area potters, giving visitors a sense for the range of artistry here that’s helpful before heading out on their own for studio visits.
With just a couple of hundred residents, Seagrove is a place to slow down, linger in studios and shops, and experience creativity at close range. My first stop was Seagrove Creations, a gallery devoted to local potters and artisans. While the North Carolina Pottery Center highlights representative pieces, Seagrove Creations brims with shelves of pottery ready to be wrapped up and carried home.
Seagrove is 90 minutes east of Charlotte. While some studios are open daily, visiting Wednesday through Saturday offers the best chance of seeing the most potters. Check discoverseagrove.com for events that include demonstrations, classes, open houses and kiln openings.
The Seagrove Stoneware Inn and Duck Smith House Bed & Breakfast offer lodging in Seagrove; additional lodging is available in Asheboro. For dining, try the Seagrove Café for salads and sandwiches. The General Wine & Brew often has food trucks, while La Fiesta Mexicana serves inexpensive and tasty Mexican food. In Asheboro, be sure to visit The Table, a landmark restaurant located in a former textile mill office. For more travel information, see heartofnorthcarolina.com.
Guided by a Pottery Map (a brochure available everywhere in town), I headed into the countryside. A short drive brought me to Matthew Kelly’s studio, where I learned that Seagrove potters tend to emphasize collaboration rather than competition. That spirit is part of what has made Seagrove such a vibrant community, he told me, where tradition and innovation constantly mingle.
“Potters here don’t work in isolation,” said Kelly, a master potter who also has a large following for his instructional videos on YouTube. “We share kilns, trade tips and encourage each other.”
Kelly also emphasized the difference between seeing pottery online and experiencing it in person.
“Pottery has exploded on social media, which is good for us, of course,” he said. “But more than most art forms, you really have to hold a piece of pottery to fully appreciate it. You need to feel its texture and weight and see how the light plays across its surface. That’s why people come to Seagrove: to encounter a wide range of pottery in one place and to meet the people who make it.”
Throughout the day, I wandered into other studios and met other potters as well. Crystal King, who comes from a pottery-making family, is particularly known for her whimsical hand-built sculptures, often with Biblical themes. Bobbie Thomas creates kitchenware pieces that often include a recipe. at The General Wine & Brew, the bartender was Fiva McCanless, who proudly showed me samples of her playful pottery on her phone. In Seagrove, it seems, potters are everywhere.
After hours of admiring finished pieces, the next day I wanted to feel the clay in my own hands, so I returned to the North Carolina Pottery Center for a beginner’s class taught by artist Cat Viera. At the wheel, I discovered that clay demands both patience and precision. My first attempt wobbled and slumped, but with Viera’s gentle coaching, the lump of clay was transformed — imperfect, but recognizably a cup.
“We’ll glaze and fire it and ship it home to you,” she said. “It’s a nice way for visitors to be part of Seagrove’s pottery traditions.”
Working with clay, even for a short time, gave me a newfound respect for the skill involved. Every curve and ridge in a finished piece reflects not only artistic talent but also hours of practice, failure and persistence. And it made me appreciate even more the finished works I saw in studio after studio: mugs whose handles fit perfectly in the hand, bowls with glazes that shimmered like water, vases with clean lines that seemed both sturdy and delicate.
Another good way to experience Seagrove is to plan your visit around one of the town’s special events, when studios open their doors and the whole community buzzes with activity. The Celebration of Seagrove Potters on the weekend before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest, drawing visitors and collectors from around the country. Other popular events include Potters Pumpkin Patch in October, when six women-led studios host tours, and the Seagrove Wood Fire Tour in June, which showcases potters who keep alive the labor-intensive tradition of wood-fired kilns.
As I drove away, a beautiful plate that I’d purchased riding safely in the back seat, I thought about what makes Seagrove so special. It isn’t just the abundance of studios or the variety of pottery styles, but even more the sense of community and the willingness of artists to open their doors and help visitors experience the wonders of ceramics.
In an age when so much art is consumed through screens, Seagrove preserves the tactile, the handmade and the enduring.
While pottery is the main attraction in Seagrove, it’s not the only attraction in the region. A 20-minute drive takes you to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, the largest natural habitat zoo in the world. With 1,800 animals spread out along a five-mile walking trail, the zoo is also a leader in wildlife and field conservation efforts across more than 10 countries. See nczoo.org for information.
Graduate school is a time for research, professional development and personal growth. Exemplifying this is Erin Emott, a Ph.D. student at NC State University studying plant biology whose pottery has won two Visual Artist Awards from Arts NC State in the past two years.Outside of her time in the art studio, Emott keeps busy balancing field work, data analysis and teaching. Her graduate research through Professor Bill Hoffman’s lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology focuses on the growth of longleaf pine trees in the...
Graduate school is a time for research, professional development and personal growth. Exemplifying this is Erin Emott, a Ph.D. student at NC State University studying plant biology whose pottery has won two Visual Artist Awards from Arts NC State in the past two years.
Outside of her time in the art studio, Emott keeps busy balancing field work, data analysis and teaching. Her graduate research through Professor Bill Hoffman’s lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology focuses on the growth of longleaf pine trees in the “bolting” life stage and the factors that impact their survival during prescribed burns.
A second focus of her work is the plant diversity of longleaf pine understories, including those in the sandhills of North Carolina. These ecosystems include many species with specialized adaptations to survive and thrive in frequently burned landscapes. She examines the flammability of pyrophytic oaks and how their relative abundance in the landscape and their flammability are linked to changes in plant diversity.
Although her research and pottery are tied together in fire, Emott finds much of her artistic inspiration outside of her research, leaning into playful energy and a general love for the natural world.
Her award-winning Skelly ceramic mug design originated in 2021 and went through several iterations before reaching its final form to earn the 2024 Visual Artist Award from Arts NC State. The inspiration was entirely practical — Emott likes to hold mugs around the body, rather than the handle.
The Groovy mug design, which won the 2025 Visual Artist Award, came about more organically — with Emott just playing with curved lines that could be made with painter’s tape
One of her favorite aspects of making art is watching how her work resonates with people at craft fairs and markets.
“Usually, a piece is one-off, inspired by a specific feeling or a quick, passing thought,” Emott explains. “Then if it resonates with others, I run with it and try to improve it, like I did with the skelly design.”
Emott took her first pottery course in high school, and has returned to it periodically throughout her life. After things started to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic, she took a class at a community studio in Tallahassee, Florida, and hasn’t stopped since. The small class structure, one-on-one interactions and constructive feedback from her instructors helped her grow and develop her artistic skills. Emott joined NC State’s Crafts Center as a member of the clay studio as soon as she set foot on campus in 2023, and continues to create new designs and pieces there.
“I think it’s so valuable having a robust art studio on campus, especially with all the different classes they offer,” Emott says. “I came to the Crafts Center specifically for pottery, but 100% plan to take a stained glass class before I graduate. The proximity of the studio to where I work and affordability of the classes really make all the difference for a graduate student with a busy schedule!”
Her passion for pottery extends beyond the art of creation and into the overlap of art and science. Pottery integrates art with physics during the throwing process, and chemistry during the glazing and firing of a piece. Simple alterations to the temperature and gas composition in the kiln while firing can drastically impact a piece’s appearance, making each one unique.
Emott recommends the Crafts Center to new students joining the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology as a way to learn new skills, reduce stress and build community at NC State.
“I think we all benefit from having a space where we can disconnect our brains at the end of the day and engage our bodies instead,” she says.
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