Hammonds' pottery on display at UNCP and Raleigh

By Scott Bigelow

Celia Hammonds took up pottery in 1997 as a hobby.

Today, her work is on display at UNC Pembroke's Native American Resources Center (NARC) and in Raleigh at the headquarters of the North Carolina Community College System.

A 1987 UNCP graduate, Hammonds did not study art in college.

"I just thought one day that I would like to do it," Hammonds said. "Today, I live in my studio and my kiln is in my kitchen."

Hammonds studied under Jim Tripp at Robeson Community College and later in Wilmington at Fat Cat Studios. She continues to take classes and learn more about the craft and art of pottery making.

"You can't help but get new ideas from other artists," she said.

She is a new artist this year with six pieces in the NARC's annual Summer Show and Sale, which opens at Lumbee Homecoming and continues through the summer.

Hammonds' success may be surprising to the artist herself, but her work is outstanding, as her selection to show in Raleigh demonstrates.

"I am very pleased about being selected to show my work at the Cashwell Building," Hammonds said. "There were 1,000 submissions and 41 were selected."

Her hand-thrown bowl debuted on March 18 at a reception honoring the artists that was hosted by community college President Martin Lancaster. It will remain on display for a year.

A native of the Saddletree community near Lumberton, Hammonds is a social worker with the North Carolina Services for the Blind. She sells pottery under the San- Beulah Pottery label and may be reached at (910) 739-7810.

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