Pottery by Mike Lalone, Resident Artist in Clay
If you find yourself in Cleveland, Tennessee (or are looking for a really good reason to go to Cleveland, Tennessee), the Young Guns and Ol’ Geezers Pottery Exhibit is a not-to-be missed show at the Museum Center at 5ive Points. Mike Lalone, our Resident Artist in Clay has curated a wonderful exhibit showcasing the work of 17 local potters (past and present) who have made lasting contributions to the Folk School community.
I went there this past weekend to see the exhibit. What a great reminder of the fact that a lot of craft artists make their home AND living in Brasstown – and what an attractive display! I’d like to personally commend Mike for his hard work in putting the exhibit together. The exhibit felt like a warm extension of the History Center, complete with the Folk School documentary playing in the background. A few items on display are on loan from the History Center (reprenseting the “Ol’ Geezers” component of the show).
Big Pig by Rob Withrow, Clay Studio Assistant at the Folk School, on display at the Museum Center at 5ive Points
The permanent display at the Museum Center is worth the trip too. The museum, though 10 years old now, feels almost brand new – and details the interesting history of the town and the region, with lots of hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
After I toured the museum and the Brasstown Potters exhibit, upon the recommendation of Ken at the gift shop, I took a short driving tour of downtown Cleveland, and then went to The Spot, a local diner downtown. It was just a few blocks from the exhibit, and had fantastic rootbeer floats and fresh-squeezed limeade and that great genuine diner feel (and a very interesting history all its own).
It’s a great day-trip! See some pottery, take a hike in the Cherokee National Forest, have a limeade. Don’t miss it – just 18 days left!
