Expect a few extra sets of eyeballs on Biltmore Avenue this month as American Folk Art launches its 13th Annual Face Jug Show, a month-long tribute to one of the region’s most wonderfully strange pottery traditions. According to the gallery, face jugs first emerged in the American South in the early 1800s, when potters used local clay to create vessels that were both functional and fiercely expressive. Though their original purpose is still debated, these quirky, often comical vessels have become a beloved fixture of folk art — and a collector’s favorite. “Our Annual Face Jug Show has initiated countless folks to an important part of our craft heritage,” Julia L. Mills, owner of American Folk Art, shares in a press release. “Each year, we endeavor to bring together the most skilled potters and a wide range of styles to pay homage to this unique living history.” This year’s show features 14 artists, including returning favorites like north Georgia potter Wayne Hewell, whose jugs are known for their sly grins and twisting ears. Asheville’s Mike Ball pushes the form into new territory with his infamous multi-eyed jugs and intricate geometric details. Newcomers Feliciano Abaurre and Brad Ledbetter bring fresh energy to the mix. The show goes live online on Wednesday, May 7, at 11am. An opening reception is slated for Friday, May 9.
13th Annual Face Jug Show: May 7-28; Opening Reception: Friday, May 9, 5-8pm
American Folk Art / 64 Biltmore Ave. / Asheville / amerifolk.com