Lost and Found in the Mists of the Blue Ridge

The fog in Little Switzerland N.C.

This morning we awoke to the sound of pounding rain. It remained dark well after sun up with a heavy cloud cover in Asheville. This was nothing to compare with the mists that engulfed us as we tried to follow the google map directions to the Folk Art Center. It was one of those adventures with directions that had us climb all the way up the Town Mountain Road, along rail-less drop offs in a thick mist in order to wind our way backwards on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the exhibits and shop of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. There were beautiful examples from the collection of the local craft traditions in weaving, basketry, clay, wood and natural material toys and household objects. It was good to get off the road for a few minutes. We couldn't resist a Bob Meier cup, which quickly seems to have become a favorite for Sarah's ginger tea. 

Tom at his computer with two smaller forms
in the foreground

The next adventure in directions came in trying to follow the shorthand and sign post notes from Tom Spleth. He's the one who moved to a high peak near Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge range! Well, it was curvy and steep. There were exciting moments, and deep fog.  We pulled over a few times, not for the road, but for the beautiful barns and tobacco shed structures arranged on the lumpy curving land masses.  Of course that was in the clearings. We arrived at Tom's because Tom came to retrieve us from near the post office parking lot of Little Switzerland. It would have been a quick trip if the Parkway was open, but it was closed due to bad weather and ice conditions. 

Tom's hexagonal bowl

Tom was a figure at Alfred when we were there, but one step removed from campus. He was in Alfred Station running a pottery, and already messing with the plaster slip casting that engrossed him for the next 30 years. He is still giving workshops and demonstrations on this technique. It was a marvelous moment when he opened the casual cabinets in his studio to reveal nine or so of these major works. These tall faceted slip castings, some black and white, and some with layers of color, date over the last few years. As it happens, his current fascination is with painting derived from the images of his pots. Painting is a pursuit that he says took hold of his imagination when he was 8 years old. It was during his time at the Kansas Art Institute under the magnetism of Ken Ferguson, that he turned towards ceramics.  We had a fun time seeing the work, hearing his stories, and connecting the dots. 

Tom's cabinet of tall pots

It was a lot easier to get from his place to the Penland School campus for a welcome cup of hot coffee.  The fog crept in, the chill was palpable. Hard to remember that we were so much farther South than our little Gilboa hillside.  The drive back to Asheville was relaxing, and we made dinner of all the food we had left -- with a large salad remaining to get us through tomorrow's lunch.  Our intention is to depart Asheville after picking up a mug we saw on Friday, made by a potter who also works in a coffee shop down by the River Arts district. Then we will drive the 2-3 hours East to Seagrove, the site of Jugtown and many many potteries. Eventually we will check in to our B&B in Pittsboro, a town that is sure to have a small pocket of crafts to share with us on Tuesday.

A Madison County Barn