STARworks Ceramics
wild Clay research & Production | artist Residencies | Workshops | Exhibitions
Located minutes from Seagrove, North Carolina, Starworks established a clay-processing facility in 2009 to manufacture wild clay for local artists. Starworks Ceramics is currently the one of the only ceramic supply companies in US using local wild clays and utilizing a filter press process to create our own custom clay bodies. These unique NC clay bodies are distributed to artists and schools throughout the US, available through both online and in person sales.
Our supply shop also carries ceramics tools, equipment and supplies from top manufacturers. We encourage you to visit the outstanding local pottery shops in the area, then complete your experience by visiting Starworks Ceramics.
In addition to our clay processing and supply shop, Starworks Ceramics also hosts artists from around the world through our Residency & Internship Programs! These special guest artists partner with Starworks to offer hands on workshops for the community, in addition to Artist Talks, demonstrations, and exhibitions.
SHOP STARWORKS CERAMICS IN PERSON!
Starworks Ceramic Supply Shop is located in the back of Starworks, accessed through our rear parking lot.
The Ceramic Supply Shop is open to the public Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm and the first Saturday of each month 10am-4:30pm.
We have been manufacturing local NC clay since March 2009. We offer 13 major blends of clay made in our processing facility.
Learn more about our local clay bodies by clicking here!
In addition to our own, we stock clay bodies made by Highwater Clays and Standard Ceramic Suppy Company. We have more than 100 different types of dry materials for clay and glazes, available in 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lb bags. We also carry ceramic tools and equipments made by some of the best manufacturers.
Please contact Starworks Ceramic Supply Shop for availability.
100 Russell Drive, Star, NC (Ceramic Supply Shop is directly accessible through Starworks back parking lot)
Call us at 910-428-9007 or email info@starworksnc.org
Take a Workshop
Empty Bowls Fundraiser for WNC Artists
Join us in the exhibition gallery at Starworks to select a handcrafted bowl (made and donated by a local artist) and enjoy a warm meal with your community! We have a variety of soups, breads, and desserts!
Donations of $25 or more – Includes a bowl to take home, plus admission to our lunch
Clay Factory
In the factory, we have been testing and processing local clay since March 2009. To be able to process raw clay from the ground, we had to set up the following equipment: shredder, mixer, magnetic separator, vibratory screen, filter press and pug mills.
If you regularly mix bags of powdered clay from the big clay mines you may not need these, but raw clay from the ground must be processed with just such equipment as we have at Starworks Ceramics. While it is time intensive, this process makes the best quality pottery clay. The raw clay naturally has a variety of particle sizes which makes clay throwing and workability better. Mixing with water hydrates the clay particles, while the pug mill removes air, making the clay even more plastic. This means not too much wedging before you make your own pottery or ceramic pieces.
