UNC Asheville hosted its semesterly ceramic and art sale on Friday, Nov. 21st, drawing students, parents, alumni and community members to the Art Department hallway to browse rows of handmade ceramics. The sale featured mugs, bowls, vases and sculptural pieces created by students across multiple studio levels.
For many attendees, the event offered a chance to see work produced in departments they don’t normally interact with.
“I really like to see what the art majors and a lot of the humanities majors are doing,” said Will Kimly, a senior physics major. “I don’t really see this side of campus that much, so it’s nice to come over here and support their art and when I can, buy some of their work.”
Students who were selling their work had a different perspective: experiencing the sale from behind the booth.
Stanton Brown, ceramics major, who was working her required shift at the student art sale, said participating gives her insight into how people respond to the pieces on display.
“I really like it. It gives a good perspective, and I like seeing behind the scenes of who’s buying what,” she said. “It’s good to know what people like.”
Visitors from outside the university also came to support student artists. Price, 78, visiting from Pennsylvania, said the pottery sale was a highlight of her trip.
“My daughter and son-in-law live in Asheville and we come to visit every three months to see our grandchildren,” she said. “They love it here, and all I hear about is the pottery they get from this sale. So I wanted to come see it for myself and I love potteries.”
According to the UNC Asheville Art Department, the pottery sale is held each semester and helps fund student materials, glaze purchases and future studio projects.
Faculty members said the event also serves as an introduction to professional art practices. Giving students experience in pricing, displaying and talking about their work with buyers.
“It’s exciting seeing people connect with something you made,” Brown said. “You put time and care into every piece, so when someone chooses it, that really means something.”
