School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk


Display artist/maker:

Vernon Owens

Born: 1941, USA, North Carolina, Seagrove

Ceramicist. Vernon Owens learned the craft by watching his father, Melvin Lee Owens, work in the pottery owned by his grandfather, James Henry Owens, which was established at the end of the 19th century. Vernon became a production thrower at the Jugtown Pottery of Seagrove, North Carolina and took over as owner in 1983. Vernon began to transform the pottery into a cultural centre, preserving the historical legacy of the region’s potters.

He developed his own style influenced by 18th and 19th century utilitarian Moore County and North Carolina pottery traditions. He was also influenced by early 20th century art pottery. Owens received a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award from the NC Arts Council in 1994, a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1996, and became an Honourary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Carolina State University in 2000.

Objects in the collections associated with this artist/maker

[Large jug] C1676 Ceramics




 
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