Cedar Creek Gallery's National Teapot Show XII in Creedmoor, N.C. – a renowned triennial exhibition that began in 1989 – is one of the most innovative and creative exhibitions of teapots.
At the event, more than 200 functional and conceptual teapots by more than 150 artists from across the United States (and one artist from Canada) are being showcased online and in-person at the exhibition.
The show began in May and continues through Sept. 10. In addition, all tea pots on display are for sale, and many have already been sold.
“The teapot is a complicated vessel, and the artist creating a functional teapot must pay attention to many details: the way the lid perfectly fits and doesn’t fall when the teapot is angled to pour tea, potentially including holes in the spout to filter the tea leaves, creating the perfect symmetry between all of the elements of the teapot like the handle and the spout, and marrying function and beauty into one piece,” said Christine Nishiguchi, marketing and PR for Cedar Creek Gallery. “The teapot is celebrated in many cultures, all differently, so it can be a way to unite the celebration of winding down, sharing a moment with another, and creating memories with loved ones.”
To make the show happen, Cedar Creek Gallery invited hundreds of artists from all over North America to enter one or more teapots and to celebrate the exceptional form of the teapot.
The components of each piece are the same: a bowl, spout, lid and handle. Artists use these fundamental elements of a teapot to unleash their creative prowess and showcase their unique perspectives through both functional and conceptual interpretations, utilizing diverse conventional and unconventional materials such as ceramic, metal, glass, wood, and felt.
At the exhibition, teapot enthusiasts can find an extensive range of teapots varying in size, shape and materials. From entirely felted teapots (not useable) to sculptural teapots that embody an artist’s unique perspective of the world, there’s a wide spectrum of teapots to enjoy, including teapots that serve tea proudly and teapots that serve to amuse.
So, how did the National Teapot Show come about?
Some 20 years ago, Sid Oakley, co-founder and “Father of Cedar Creek,” conceived the idea of hosting the first National Teapot Show, along with Pat Oakley.
“The intent was to showcase a diverse range of artists designing a diverse range of teapots,” said Nishiguchi. “Sid felt the teapot represented a pure form of functional pottery and the artist’s attention to detail: the way the lid perfectly fits, the way the handle conforms to the hand, and the relationship of the spout to present the perfect pour. And if not functional, the idea was to celebrate the range of ideas and interpretations.”
For this year’s exhibition, there are 218 total teapots by 153 artists, with more than 50 being from North Carolina. Over 60 percent of the teapots are functional, the remaining are conceptual in nature.
“The show is about celebrating artists’ vision and how they interpret this common challenge,” said Nishiguchi. “This show never looks the same every three years, nor does it travel to other cities. This is a special show only to be found in Creedmoor, N.C.”
The show takes roughly two years to curate, and collectors and customers spend years anticipating the arrival of the next special show.
To learn more about Cedar Creek Gallery's National Teapot Show XII, visit CedarCreekGallery.com.
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