ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — The holiday season is here, and with it comes the ever-expanding
annual Holiday Pottery Sale at Winthrop University. Now in its 27th year, the sale has become a tradition for the community as well as a major part of the
city of Rock Hill's ChristmasVille extravaganza.
Over time, the sale has grown from just eight artists to 21 artists in 2016. Pieces included in the sale are traditionally created by student artists, with four
professional ceramic artists joining the ranks this year.
"Our sale provides an opportunity for the students to learn how to market their work and prepare for their future," said Jim Connell, Winthrop professor and coordinator of the pottery sale. "The students are always
excited and motivated to produce quality work."
Not only do students benefit from the experience of selling their work, they also
benefit from the money raised by the sale. Proceeds from the 2014 and 2015 sales helped
the department purchase bricks and other items used to build a new salt kiln.
"Each year we are able to reinvest our earnings back into our studio/classroom by purchasing and building pottery equipment and materials," said Connell. "This
year the students are exceptionally driven as they are trying to raise funds to attend our annual national ceramic conference in Portland, Oregon."
The 2016 Holiday Pottery Sale will be on Friday, Dec. 2, from noon-6 p.m. in G-10 Rutledge Building.
Visitors will find many unique, hand-crafted creations from ceramics students and
Winthrop faculty, including Connell. Some selections this year include beautifully
glazed pitchers, coffee mugs with 3D faces peering out and an exquisite container
featuring a bird perched on top. Each selection is sure to satisfy everyone on the
gift list.
For more information, contact Whitney Hough, director of communications and community engagement for the College of Visual and
Performing Arts, at 803/323-2399 or houghw@winthrop.edu, or visit the website at www.winthrop.edu/arts.