The art of pottery has deep roots in Western North Carolina. Cherokee pottery traditions stretch back thousands of years, while later generations of mountain potters developed a tradition of creating functional, then decorative, stoneware. Today, that heritage continues through working artists and studios throughout the region.

For Western N.C. residents and visitors alike, pottery can be a unique way to experience the character of the mountain communities in and around Asheville. Here are some spots, many off the beaten path, to add to your exploration of Western N.C. pottery.

Buncombe County Pottery

Plays In Mud Pottery (West Asheville) 

This small working pottery studio, gallery and teaching space gives visitors the opportunity to shop the studio’s pieces or take a class in wheel throwing or handbuilding. Everything from “Date Night” guided pottery-making events to more involved, weeks-long classes are available.

Mangum Pottery (Weaverville)

A longtime family pottery just north of Asheville on Weaverville’s quaint Main Street, Mangum Pottery offers handmade mugs, dinnerware, vases and other functional pieces. Visitors can browse the gallery and see the working studio.

Sarah Sunshine Pottery (Black Mountain) 

In the heart of downtown Black Mountain, Sarah Sunshine Pottery offers handmade ceramics of light-weight, thin designs created for everyday use, from mugs and bowls to pitchers, serving pieces and decorative work. Bonus: It’s an easy stop to combine with Black Mountain’s galleries, shops and restaurants.

Henderson County Pottery

Berning Pottery (Flat Rock)

Potter Travis Berning creates distinctive ceramics using real maple leaves to make impressions in the clay. His studio overlooks the Green River Game Lands and welcomes visitors by appointment.

Leftwich Pottery (Mills River)

Longtime studio potter Rodney Leftwich has deep connections to North Carolina’s traditional pottery heritage. His unique creations boast designs inspired by the region’s natural beauty, and often feature earth-toned glazes created from local minerals and wood ash.

Glassman Clay Studio (Hendersonville)

Ready to create pottery? Glassman Clay Studio, which is part of the Art League of Henderson County, offers plenty of opportunities to work with clay. Wheel throwing, handbuilding, kids’ classes and open studio memberships are all available at this community-oriented ceramics studio.

Haywood County Pottery

Haywood Community College Professional Crafts (Clyde)

For a deeper look at the region’s craft tradition, Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Clay program is worth knowing about. Its ceramics facilities include wheels, slab rollers, multiple kilns and a gallery for professional and student exhibitions.

Stonehouse Pottery (Balsam) 

Straddling the Haywood-Jackson county line, Stonehouse Pottery is a small, artist-run pottery studio and retail gallery specializing in handmade ceramics. Visitors can browse a selection of functional and decorative pottery; classes and workshops for both adults and children are also available.

Cold Mountain Art Collective (Canton)

This creative space offers pottery classes for everyone from beginners to more seasoned artisans. Memberships and day passes, kiln rentals and clay for sale are also available.

Madison County Pottery

Mudluscious Pottery (Mars Hill)

Ceramicist Cindy Trisler creates functional pottery with a playful personality, including mugs, bowls, plates and whimsical ceramic pieces. There’s even an onsite cabin for rent if you want to extend your stay!

Mars Hill Center for the Ceramic Arts (Mars Hill University)

This center, established in 2018, provides low-cost workshops to the Western N.C. community. Among the offerings are week-long workshops with nationally recognized ceramic artists, weekend demonstrations, and an artist-in-residency program.

Parmentier Pottery (Mars Hill)

Jim and Shirl Parmentier have been full-time studio potters since 1979. Their high-fired stoneware is known for intricate carved surfaces and beautiful glaze effects. Visits are by appointment.

Transylvania County Pottery

Duckpond Pottery (Brevard)

Overlooking the French Broad River along Scenic Highway 276, Duckpond Pottery features a working studio and small gallery shop. Potter Nick Friedman creates wood-fired utilitarian pottery using locally dug and refined clay. Visitors can enjoy an open-air coffee and tea counter with seating overlooking the French Broad River.

Mud Dabber’s Pottery of Brevard

A Brevard favorite since 1988, Mud Dabber’s features work from more than 30 local potters. The shop occupies a historic former general store, with a working studio next door.

Brevard Clay (Brevard)

Want to make your own pottery? Brevard Clay offers classes, workshops, wheel experiences and private lessons, along with a gallery featuring local and regional ceramic artists.

Whether you're already a longtime Western N.C. resident or considering making a move to the Asheville area, a pottery road trip is a wonderful reminder of the region’s many artistic treasures. For more information on real estate in Asheville or Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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One of the best things about living in Western North Carolina is being surrounded by stunning mountain views, lush forests, and vibrant local communities. Whether you’re settling into a new home or looking to make your current one more eco-friendly, adopting sustainable habits can help protect that natural beauty and strong community. 

At Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, environmental stewardship has always been part of our foundation, and we’re proud to support a healthier, more sustainable future for our community. Following are some ways you can do the same.

Improve your Asheville home’s energy efficiency

One of the simplest ways to live more sustainably is by reducing your home’s energy use. Small upgrades can lower utility bills while making your home more comfortable year-round. Consider installing a smart thermostat, sealing air leaks, upgrading insulation, switching to LED lighting, or choosing Energy Star appliances when it’s time to replace older models. Not only do these improvements help the environment, but they also add to your home’s value.

Landscape with plants native to Western N.C.

Native plants thrive in Western N.C.’s climate, requiring less water and maintenance than many non-native species. They also provide valuable habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife while helping reduce erosion on sloped properties. Choosing native landscaping is an easy way to create a beautiful yard that works with the local ecosystem.

Conserve water and reduce waste

Simple everyday habits can make a big difference. Install low-flow fixtures, repair leaks promptly, water gardens during cooler parts of the day, and use mulch to help retain soil moisture. Composting food scraps, recycling properly and donating gently used household items are additional ways to reduce waste and lessen your environmental impact.

Support local in and around Asheville

Shopping locally supports the Asheville area’s economy while reducing transportation impacts. Visiting farmers’ markets, shopping at locally owned businesses, and purchasing products made in the region all help strengthen the community while promoting a more sustainable way of living.

Make thoughtful home improvements

If you're renovating, consider eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo flooring, recycled-content products and low-VOC paints. These choices can improve indoor air quality, reduce waste and appeal to environmentally conscious homebuyers.

Mosaic’s commitment to sustainability in Asheville

At Mosaic, sustainability is more than just talk, it’s the foundation of all we do. We proudly support local environmental organizations, community cleanups, native tree giveaways, and conservation initiatives throughout Asheville and Western N.C. 

Our commitment extends to preserving the character of our communities as well. For example, by restoring our historic Asheville office rather than replacing it, we took a sustainable approach that honored the building’s history while reducing environmental impact. 

Living green in Western N.C.

Whether you’re searching for an energy-efficient home, planning improvements, or exploring neighborhoods throughout Asheville and Western N.C., Mosaic can help. For more information, please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Eager to experience some exciting events and community opportunities in Asheville and Western North Carolina this August? Following are just a few of the many happenings around town, suited to a range of interests and lifestyles, and supported and curated by [...]

Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty is honored to announce that our office at 46 Orchard St. in Asheville, N.C., has received a prestigious Griffin Award for Rehabilitation from the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC).

Presented during the 46th Annual Griffin Awards on May 21, the award recognizes outstanding efforts to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties throughout Buncombe County. The Griffin Awards celebrate projects and individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, respect for historic character and materials, and a meaningful contribution to the community.

Breathing new life into historic Asheville landmark

Constructed in 1923, the building at 46 Orchard St. (just north of downtown Asheville) was originally a residence built for Harriet and Claude Edwards. In the early 20th century, the Edwards family operated several apartment units from the property; the building continued serving as apartments until the 1990s.

When Mosaic purchased the property, the team was excited by the opportunity to rehabilitate a centrally located building filled with architectural character and abundant natural light. “Since the end of the pandemic we had been looking for a bigger home for Mosaic to provide more space for our growing team and a greater sense of community,” says Mosaic building manager Rachel Figura, who coordinated the renovation. “46 Orchard had great bones, ample parking, energy efficiency upgrades, and tons of natural light, so we knew at once it was the right fit for us.”

Equally intriguing were some of its mysteries, including the dual front doors and an unusual floor plan. “We learned that 46 Orchard St. was built with dual front doors – one for the [Edwards] family, and one for the tenants housed upstairs,” says Figura. “We discovered that an upstairs open-air sleeping porch had originally been part of the back of the house, partially enclosed in the 1940s, and fully enclosed during the 1970s. Harriet’s father, Jethro Miller, was a local carpenter, so it’s not hard to imagine that he had a large role in the construction.” 

Honoring the past through skilled craftsmanship at 46 Orchard Street

The property had endured decades of deferred maintenance and required extensive rehabilitation work. The rehabilitation warranted careful attention to both historic preservation and modern functionality. For example, when the original siding proved too deteriorated to restore, the project team invested in custom-milled 10-inch German lap siding that precisely matched the profile of the original material. 

Another major issue was preserving the foundation. “Our largest renovation challenge was leveling the first floor without damaging the original brick foundation,” says Figura. “Repairing the mortar in the foundation was no small feat and required bringing in sand from Virginia Beach to match the color.”

A priority during the renovation was retaining as much of the home’s historic details while bringing the property into the 21st century. “We prioritized keeping the original trim and upstairs floors, sourcing historic heart of pine narrow plank floorboards to repair a damaged area of the upstairs floor and making trim to match the existing one for some places it was missing,” says Figura. “We installed historic crystal doorknobs, drawer pulls, hinges and mother of pearl push button light switches. We were able to keep two existing built-ins including retrofitting the grain bin in the kitchen to be a regular cabinet.”            

A collaborative achievement

The Griffin Award recognizes the many talented professionals who contributed to the successful rehabilitation of 46 Orchard St. Honorees include Asheville Flooring LLC, Astralwerks Architectural Finishes, CJE Roofing and Exterior, Greg Podlesney, JAG Construction, Jonathan Cervantes, Kacia Jurdi, Michael and Rachel Figura, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Ryan Morin of Luxgrain, Volt Electric USA, and Willis Home Improvements. 

The Griffin Awards recognize excellence across several categories, including adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, stewardship, research, education and compatible infill construction within historic districts.

Curious to see Mosaic’s new office in person? We invite clients, neighbors and community members to stop by and experience this beautifully restored piece of Asheville history for themselves. And for more information on real estate in Asheville or Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Meet Dana Brook, Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s newest agent! We’re thrilled to welcome Dana and the varied professional skills he brings to the table to make your real estate journey a smooth and enjoyable one. Mosaic’s Christie Kafka caught up with Dana in a recent [...]

Eager to experience some exciting events and community opportunities in Asheville and Western North Carolina this July? Following are just a few of the many happenings about town, suited to a range of interests and lifestyles, and supported and curated by Mosaic Realty brokers!

Shindig on the Green (throughout July) – Presented by the Folk Heritage Committee, Shindig on the Green returns for its 60th season this summer, bringing free Appalachian music and dance performances to downtown Asheville’s Pack Square Park. This beloved Asheville tradition features bluegrass bands, clog dancers, storytellers and informal jams. Mosaic Realty is proud to sponsor this longstanding community tradition. Dates begin in July, but June is the perfect time to mark your calendar and plan summer evenings downtown.

West Asheville Tailgate Market (throughout July) – The West Asheville Tailgate Market continues every Tuesday (3:30-6:30 p.m.) from spring through Christmas, offering fresh produce, artisan foods, flowers, handmade goods, live music and family activities. A weekly gathering place for locals and visitors alike, the tailgate market showcases Asheville’s thriving local food and maker scene. Mosaic Realty and Ren Fridell are proud co-sponsors of the market this season.

“40 Views for 40 Years” (now through September) – “40 Views for 40 Years” at The North Carolina Arboretum celebrates the beauty, history and artistic inspiration of the Arboretum through the eyes of those closest to this popular Western N.C. destination. The photography exhibit delves deep into many facets of the Arboretum, offering visitors a uniquely intimate experience. Mosaic Realty is proud to sponsor this exhibit during the Arboretum’s milestone anniversary year.

Art in Bloom at Black Mountain Center for the Arts (June and July) – Art in Bloom returns to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts during June and July, blending floral installations with visual art exhibitions in one of the region’s most vibrant arts communities. Enjoy two gallery exhibits, live floral arrangements, and a local garden tour featuring working artists; afterward, take time to soak in the charming sights of downtown Black Mountain. Mosaic Realty and Shane Peters are proud co-sponsors of this summer event.

Groovin’ on Grovemont (July and August) – Groovin’ on Grovemont returns this season, bringing live music to Grovemont Park in Swannanoa. This free outdoor concert series benefiting The Friends of the Swannanoa Library and the Swannanoa Community Council offers family-friendly fun with local bands and food vendors. Mosaic Realty and Casey Conner are co-sponsors of the series for 2026.

Asheville Tourists Baseball (throughout July) – Summer evenings cheering on the Asheville Tourists baseball team are a classic warm-weather tradition in Asheville. Come enjoy themed nights, fireworks and special events throughout the summer, set against the breathtaking backdrop of historic McCormick Field.

Fourth of July Powwow (July 3-5) – This vibrant celebration in Cherokee, N.C., brings to life tradition and culture to honor indigenous heritage with lively dance performances and colorful regalia. Hosted within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, this annual event showcases performers’ skills in traditional competitions, storytelling, craft demonstrations and authentic cuisine.  

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (July 16-19) – Held at Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville, this celebration of Appalachian tradition and creativity features more than 100 juried regional artists across 12 media, including clay, fiber, leather and wood. Enjoy live demonstrations, hands-on craft education and the opportunity to shop handmade and meet the makers.

We hope to see you out in the community enjoying some of these exciting events! For information about lifestyles or real estate in Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556. 

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See The North Carolina Arboretum from the viewpoint of those most familiar with it! 

From May 23 through Sept. 12 in the Baker Exhibit Hall, “The Arb in Focus: 40 Views for 40 Years” will offer visitors a uniquely candid view of the famed gardens through intimate images. Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, a longtime supporter of the [...]

If you’re thinking about moving to Asheville, N.C., chances are lifestyle has a lot to do with it. For health-minded residents and visitors alike, Asheville offers wellness-focused activities that have become an ingrained part of the culture. From mountain-view spas and holistic retreats to yoga studios, hiking trails and outdoor [...]

Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s Art Walk & Benefit returns Thursday, May 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., bringing together downtown Asheville’s vibrant creative scene in support of local nonprofits. One of the most anticipated parts of the Mosaic Art Walk & Benefit each year is the raffle, and for 2026, it’s shaping up to be especially [...]

If you’re considering a move to Asheville, N.C., you’re not alone. Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has consistently attracted out-of-state buyers thanks to its natural beauty and outdoor adventure, eclectic art and culture, and high quality of life. Whether you’re relocating for work, retirement or a lifestyle change, [...]