About Catawba Valley Pottery Festival

2024 Marks the 27th annual Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival. Its goal is to showcase the history of Catawba Valley alkaline glazed stoneware and the potters who continually produce this traditional utilitarian ware. Historically most potters utilized wood-fired kilns at home sites and relied on word-of-mouth sales. Thus, the CVP&AF provides an annual sale where pottery made in Catawba Valley can be purchased. Over the years, development and growth have allowed the Festival to include potters from across the state and the South, as well as dealers offering historical pottery and antiques and providing a context for understanding the history and use of pottery in the South.

The festival is a juried event, and will be held on Friday, March 22nd & Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, NC. 

The CVP&AF is a non-profit event which benefits the Historical Association of Catawba County in Newton, NC and the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC. More than $500,000 has been donated to these institutions over the past 20+ years. 

More than 90 potters and vendors will offer their wares and antiques. Items include historical pottery, textiles, baskets, furniture and miniature items. Contemporary potters will sell items ranging from coffee mugs to amazing works of art. Check out Our 2023 Vendor List!

Included in the weekend is the Friday Night Premiere Party, which offers guests an early buying opportunity, a catered meal option, and many other VIP perks. The Friday Night Premiere Party is held on March 22nd. Please visit our Premiere Party page for more information.

The Saturday festival includes special programming featuring pottery videos, demonstrations, and a lecture by Sid Luck and his son, Jason Luck. 

The Saturday Festival runs from 9:00am to 5:00pm, on March 23rd. Saturday tickets may be purchased online or at the door and are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 3 to 12.