LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) — Carnegie Hall invites artists, history enthusiasts and curious makers to explore a unique American folk art tradition in “Hand Built Ceramic Face Jugs,” a hands-on workshop led by ceramic artist Sean O’Connell from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Participants will learn the history and cultural significance of face jugs while creating their own ceramic vessel using simple hand-building techniques.
Face jugs first appeared in the American South in the mid-1800s, created by enslaved African American potters who blended West and Central African spiritual traditions with local stoneware practices. Today, they remain one of the most recognizable forms of American folk pottery, celebrated for their expressive character and cultural heritage.
During the workshop, students will shape and sculpt their own one-of-a-kind face jug while learning about the history, symbolism and traditional uses of the vessels. Finished pieces can be displayed as artwork or filled with cider, maple syrup or another favorite beverage. Carnegie Hall will glaze and fire the completed jugs after the workshop, and participants can pick them up later.
The workshop is open to participants 14 and older and is limited to eight students. Tuition is $75 for members and $95 for nonmembers. Scholarships are available, and adults 50 and older pay $50.
Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. To register or learn more, visit carnegiehallwv.org or call 304-645-7917.
Carnegie Hall programs are presented with financial assistance through a grant from the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.
