Twelve years ago, ceramic artist Josh Copus bought a house and set it on fire — with the help of the local fire department, of course.
Since then, he has transformed the site of the old farmhouse into a pottery complex where dozens of artists have honed their skills over the years, including three woodfire pottery kilns that have held the work of visiting artists from all over the world, and a clay processing facility where North Carolina soil becomes a workable medium. The site was also the springboard for Carolina Flowers, which now occupies four acres just up the road. Josh’s wife, Emily Copus, and her team grow flowers for weddings, events, florists, farmers markets — and ceramic artists.
On July 20 and 21, the Copus family will celebrate the grand opening of their endeavors (better late than never) with Flowers & Clay, a pottery home show and farm tour in Marshall, NC. The home show, or kiln opening, is a traditional practice among North Carolina ceramic artists, going back centuries. Collectors arrive early to snag the freshest pieces from the most recent firing. At Flowers and Clay, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the pottery facility and test gardens from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. At least three guided farm tours will be available as space allows. Pottery and flowers will be available for purchase, although admission to the event is free. Here are a number of ways guests can experience Flowers & Clay:
Farm Tours
Visitors will have the chance to walk through the farm fields with Emily to learn about the methods of growing and harvesting local blooms. She will begin with the rows of dahlias, one of the largest dahlia operations in the state of North Carolina. Tours will take place at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and last for around forty-five minutes. Hats, close-toed shoes and sun-protection are encouraged during the July day. Flowers will be available for purchase.
Pottery Tours Ceramic artist Josh Copus will also be sharing his creative processes throughout the day. Explore the studio. See pots turned on the wheel. Learn about wild clay processing and firing. Josh and his team will be talking about the challenges and joys of working with clay. His 27-foot, woodfire kiln will be open so visitors can walk inside and explore. Throughout both days, you can learn how Josh creates his one-of-a-kind forms. Josh has taught at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Penland School of Craft, and other art institutions throughout the world. Flowers & Clay is an opportunity to see his work in the space where it was made. Josh’s work will be available for purchase.
Stem Bar
Make your own bouquet! A full bar of harvested floral stems from the farm will be available for your inner designer. Stems will be individually priced so you can make exactly what you want! Pair your floral creation with a vase from the pottery! Premade mixed bouquets will also be available.
Brick Factory
The Building Community Brick Project has been an ongoing part of Josh Copus’ work since he was a student at UNC Asheville in 2006. He has been facilitating brickmaking using traditional and mechanical techniques in Asheville, Marshall, Baltimore, South Carolina and other locations. Participants decorate bricks, which become part of a monument when fired. They’re encouraged to write whatever is meaningful to them. The goal is to create a truly egalitarian monument that reflects time and place. Josh is currently working on collecting bricks for a monument at the Old Marshall Jail, an historic building he is renovating in downtown Marshall.
The tour takes place on July 20 & 21, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Flowers & Clay, 216 Ledford and Craine Road in Marshall, NC.
- For more information about the event, visit flowersandclay.com.
- To learn more about Josh Copus and his pottery, visit joshcopus.com.
- For details about Carolina Flowers, visit flowersnc.com.
Carolina Flowers believes in a positive future for agriculture in places like Madison County, where tobacco was once an important source of income for many. The 3-acre flower farm presents a new model for sustainable agriculture. It celebrates the beautiful mountains and the strong tradition of agriculture in its community.
Carolina Flowers grows specialty cut flowers for wholesale, farmers markets, florists, weddings, events and everyday enjoyment. Blooms from the farm travel to florists as far as Raleigh through wholesale partners. Find Carolina Flowers products in Asheville at the Asheville City Market on Saturdays, The Rhu, Flora, The Gardener’s Cottage, Madison Natural Foods and other retail outlets. Keep up with Carolina Flowers at flowersnc.com or on Instagram at @carolinaflowrs.
Josh Copus is a ceramic artist who hails from Appalachia but draws on his global experiences in ceramics. Since graduating from UNC Asheville in 2007, Josh has taught and studied ceramics in Tasmania, China, Denmark, Germany and throughout the United States. He was awarded grants from the Windgate Foundation in 2007 and 2017, and his work is in the permanent collections of the Kennedy Museum of Art, the Mint Museum, and many private collections.
He owns and maintains Clayspace Co-Op, a cooperative studio and gallery in the River Arts District, and he is represented by Blue Spiral 1 in downtown Asheville. He is a partner in the Old Marshall Jail, an adaptive reuse project taking place in the heart of Marshall. Learn more about Josh at joshcopus.com. For more information about the Old Marshall Jail, visit oldmarshalljail.com.
