North Carolina’s Clay Stories, Past and Present

When the North Carolina Pottery Center selected Studio Displays to create a new permanent exhibition to replace the existing 20-year-old exhibit, Studio selected BPI to design and produce the media. With an amazing collection and beautiful but traditional exhibit which catered more to artists and collectors than to casual visitors, the Center’s goal was to engage and connect with all visitors through a dynamic and modern exhibition. 

An orientation film introduces visitors to the Center, the collection, and North Carolina’s rich pottery tradition from early Native American, African American slave made, utilitarian earthenware and stoneware, to contemporary art pottery. North Carolina’s clay stories past and present are introduced through an ensemble of contemporary and historic voices, accompanied by archival imagery to showcase the path that led North Carolina to become America’s pottery state.

The NC Pottery interactives draw from a single CMS into which the museum catalogues their collection with the technical specifications and descriptions of each pot. Information about the artist, history/time period, and geographic region are also entered. Over 200 pieces were photographed from all angles on a turntable.  The exhibit is organized chronologically.

These periods are divided into eight distinct chapters. A “Chapter Marker” touchscreen establishes each chapter and allows visitors to interact with content from that period and with a feature very important to serious pottery students, rotate images of each pot examining it from every angle.

A variety filter table, “Potters Across the State,” allows visitors to access content from the same CMS in different ways, filtering pots down by geographic region, or creation process, to learn about the pieces through a different lens. Diving deeper into the distinct geographic differences across the state and the science (STEAM) behind types of clay, glazes, and firing techniques offers supplemental, interactive content for pottery novices and experts alike.

 

Client: North Carolina Pottery Center, Seagrove, NC
Partners: Studio Displays; Bowen Technovation
Category: Art, History & Culture
Services: Media Design, Film & Video, Interactives

What We Did:

  • Orientation Film
  • Interactive Touchscreen Kiosks
  • “Potters Across the State” Interactive Filter Table

Working with the BPI team was extraordinarily easy; they listened, took our vision, incorporated their own ideas (with our knowledge and blessing), and collaborated with us to create an innovative, interactive exhibit that has been an absolute hit with our visitors, both returning and new!

–Lindsay A. Lambert
Executive Director, NC Pottery Center

The orientation film reflects on North Carolina’s pottery traditions
The Variety Filter Table is explores the three distinct geographic regions across North Carolina.
The Colonoware display highlights Native American and enslaved African contributions during the colonial period
Through the Variety Filter Table guests are able to select their glaze type, clay type, and firing method to experience how artisans across the state create their renowned North Carolina Pottery.
Chapter Signage Kiosks allow visitors to delve into details of eight different eras in North Carolina’s pottery past and present.
Visitors are presented with the clay variations spread across the counties and how that has impacted the historic use of materials and methods in the distinct pottery regions.