Pots and Gunshots?

You know, real controversy is pretty rare in the pottery world. Potters will argue over where to place pots in a wood kiln or over the merits of Gerstley Borate as a glaze material, but real honest-to-God controversy is rare.

That's why I was so surprised to see this article while on AOL today:

Pottery Feud Divides NC Town of Seagrove

In case this link stops working in the future, basically a new pottery festival has been planned for the same weekend as one that's been running for the last 26 years. Here's an explanation from the article:

"The schism generally involves differences between potters who support the Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery — which is more of a welcome center with samples of local work — and artisans who have broken from it.

Some in the breakaway group also support the financially struggling North Carolina Pottery Center, which displays and promotes work from artists statewide, not just those based in Seagrove. It also sells pottery, which critics say hurts local artists and takes business away from their shops."

Also from the article:

"The divide, and all the confusing reasons for a fight over pottery, can appear ridiculous to outsiders. But it's venomous for those involved, resulting in ugly propaganda, reports of a gunshot fired at one shop and allegations of assault. Attempts to settle it have gotten nowhere."

A gunshot?! Over pottery festivals?! Now, I know the people of North Carolina take their pottery very seriously because they have several hundred years worth of clay traditions. But really, they're coming to gunshots over it? Wow. This is definitely NOT something that happens every day in the clay world!

(On a sidenote: Why is Seagrove called Seagrove when it's several hours from the coast? I've always wondered...)