Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handcrafted Pottery by Ben Owen III
Ben Owen Pottery has been crafting handcrafted ceramics in Seagrove, North Carolina, since 1959, rooted in a family tradition that traces back to English potters who settled in the region in the late 1700s. Our work blends traditional American utilitarian designs with Asian, European, and Persian influences, reflecting decades of experimentation and mastery. The showroom, established alongside the studio, serves as both a retail space and a museum showcasing generations of the Owen familys artistry. We specialize in custom commissions for public spaces and private collections, with pieces featured in prestigious venues like the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and the Smithsonian Museum of Art. Our process emphasizes hands-on craftsmanship, from clay preparation to glazing and firing in wood kilns, ensuring each piece carries the legacy of our heritage.The business continues to evolve under Ben Owen III, who studied under his grandfather and later at East Carolina University, expanding the studios reach through international workshops and collaborations. We prioritize transparency, inviting visitors to explore our studio, kilns, and museum to witness the creation process firsthand. Our team, led by retail manager Jessica Dennis, is dedicated to helping clients find or commission pottery that meets their aesthetic and functional needs. With a focus on quality and authenticity, we maintain relationships with collectors, designers, and institutions worldwide. Our commitment to preserving traditional techniques while embracing innovation ensures that each piece remains a testament to both history and contemporary artistry.
Services
Custom Commissions
Showroom Sales
Studio Tours
Ceramic Workshops
Online Store
Details
- Year established: 1959
Highlights and features
- We offer five generations of pottery-making expertise rooted in Seagrove's heritage.
- Our custom commissions enhance public spaces and private collections globally.
- The showroom doubles as a museum, showcasing our family's historical works.
- We host kiln openings and studio tours for immersive artistic experiences.
- Jessica Dennis, our retail manager, provides personalized assistance for every client.
Services
Custom Commissions
Ben Owen Pottery creates custom ceramic pieces tailored to client specifications for residential, commercial, and public spaces. Our team collaborates closely with designers and collectors to develop unique forms, glazes, and scales. This service combines traditional techniques with modern artistic vision to produce one-of-a-kind installations.
Showroom Sales
The Seagrove showroom displays a rotating collection of handcrafted pottery available for purchase, including new works after each kiln firing. Visitors can explore historical pieces in an adjacent museum space. Jessica Dennis, our retail manager, assists with selecting or commissioning pieces that suit individual tastes and spaces. The showroom hosts special kiln-opening events three times annually.
Studio Tours
Guests can tour the working studio and kilns where Ben Owen Potterys ceramics are created, offering insight into the crafting process from clay preparation to glazing. The adjacent museum showcases generational works, providing context for the familys evolving techniques. Tours highlight the blend of historical tradition and contemporary innovation in every piece.
People
Ben Owen III
Master Potter
Ben Owen III is a fifth-generation potter from Seagrove, NC, trained by his grandfather and at East Carolina University. He has studied ceramics globally and creates works featured in museums and luxury venues worldwide.
Jessica Dennis
Retail Manager
Jessica Dennis oversees the Seagrove showroom, assisting clients in selecting or commissioning pottery. She curates the gallery space and manages special kiln-opening events for visitors.
Questions
What types of pottery does Ben Owen Pottery create?
We produce handcrafted ceramics blending traditional American utilitarian designs with Asian, European, and Persian influences, including custom commissions and showroom pieces.
Can I commission a custom pottery piece?
Yes, we specialize in custom commissions for residential, commercial, and public spaces. Contact us via phone or email to discuss your vision.
Is the Seagrove showroom open to the public?
Yes, the showroom is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM, with special kiln-opening events held three times a year.
How can I learn about Ben Owen Pottery's history?
Visit our museum in Seagrove, which displays generational works and artifacts, or explore our website's detailed historical documentation.
Reviews (5)
Rena Correia
Nov 02, 2021
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Just loved their pottery. Very interesting history of the family and how they started in pottery. Their pieces are so beautiful!!! Loved looking at everything they had!
Ryan Leigh Runyon
Sep 10, 2020
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Very interesting to learn about and watch the process! Beautiful examples of the Owens' work in the gallery. I didn't have as much time to spend as I'd have liked, so I will have to go back!
Colin Taylor
Jun 07, 2018
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Mr Owen is a true Craftsman. Every time we visit there is something new and interesting to see. There is even a showcase downstairs of his father's work and classic pottery.
Pamela York Frasier
Jun 15, 2017
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Lovely shop with well-lighted displays. Ease of really looking at pieces available and the quality and color of this pottery make this a favourite stop. Staff receive customers as if they are old friends.
Jack T.
Jan 06, 2016
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We have been collecting NC pottery for decades, and the trio of Ben Owens, Sr., Jr. and III are as excellent as Seagrove Pottery gets, which ranks among the great ceramic works areas in the nation. Ben Owens III both continues the traditions of his father and grandfather, and extends them into new directions. His work is clean and classic, no kitsch or goofy stuff. The materials are excellent, the surfaces glazed in many shades and textures, including a creamy white which looks like melted icing and a brilliant Chinese red. Not all can be used for vases or food service, but they are such