Pottery show draws collectors to Erwin

Allison Burnette, who has authored many books on Cash Family Pottery, shows off an example of the collectible pottery to attendees at Saturday's event.

Locally made pottery and dishware attracted people from across the country to Erwin on Saturday, May 27, for the annual Cash Family Pottery Show.

The show, held in the cafeteria of Unicoi County High School, is sponsored each year by the Cash Family Pottery Collectors Club.

Allison Burnette, one of the club's organizers, said the goal is to showcase both the pottery and dishware made in Unicoi County and the community's history and heritage.

Burnette, whose grandparents worked at Blue Ridge Pottery, published his first book about Cash Family Pottery in 2000, and shortly after launched the club and show.

In the beginning, Burnette said he and another collector decided to host a gathering of all the employees that once worked at Cash Family Pottery. A large gathering of people attended during that first year and they decided to form a club. The club has continued to meet and hosts a show every year, except once during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burnette said.

Cash Family Pottery first opened in Erwin in 1945, according to Burnette, who has written multiple books about various pottery and glass companies.

Ray and Pauline Cash opened Cash Family Pottery and operated it in Erwin until 1989. It is estimated that more than 1,000 different molds were used by the company, according to the club.

Hundreds of pieces of Cash Family Pottery were on display and for sale at this year's show, which club member Joey Lewis, co-owner of the Valley Beautiful Antique Mall, said was the largest to date. Lewis said he brought many pieces from his home, rather than the store, for the show.

The show consisted of 37 tables, as well as more than a dozen vendors from across the country. Burnette said people came from as far as Texas, Michigan and Indiana, and included some who come every year and others who have never been to Erwin.

About halfway through the event, cars outside of the high school had license plates from Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Many, Burnette said, learned about the event through Facebook groups.

Burnette said attendees and collectors typically look for folk art and hand-painted pieces from Cash Family Pottery. The show also includes other Erwin-based companies, such as Blue Ridge Pottery, Erwin Pottery and Clouse Artware. Each company, including the Cash Family Pottery, employed many local residents.

Burnette said a chocolate milk pitcher set was one of the most unique items on display at the show.

During the event, the club distributed 12 gift certificates, as well as several cash prizes. Those gift certificates and cash gifts could be used to purchase items during the show.

Burnette, who shared stories about the history of Cash Family Pottery and the importance of local dishware with attendees, made sure each child left the event with a piece of pottery.

"We don't want children to leave without a piece of pottery," said Burnette, who made sure to watch the exit for those leaving the event.

He noted that most guests are older and he hopes the legacy of local pottery continues, which is why he made sure children learned about the artwork.

Pieces of the Cash Family Pottery collection and other local companies can be found around Unicoi County, including in antique stores in downtown Erwin and on display at the Unicoi County Heritage Museum.