Special Friday Lecture: American Face Vessels – Art, Ritual, and Mourning in Southern Appalachia

Join us Friday, October 9, at the North House Museum for a special lecture with ceramic artist Sean O’Connell exploring the fascinating history of American face vessels and their connections to African American pottery traditions, ritual, mourning, and the wider world of Southern Appalachian art.

Sean will take us beyond the finished vessel and into the making of these remarkable pieces, exploring the technical challenges of working with clay and highlighting some of the artists and craftspeople who have shaped the face-vessel tradition, both past and present.

A longtime instructor of hand building and wheel throwing at Carnegie Hall, Sean has worked in a wide range of materials, but clay remains his favorite expressive medium. In 2019, he developed a traditional face-jug workshop for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts’ ArtReach on the Road program.

American Face Vessels: Art, Ritual, and Mourning in Southern Appalachia

 Friday, October 9
 North House Museum
 Museum opens at 5 p.m.
 Lecture begins at 5:30 p.m.
 Approximately 30–45 minutes
 FREE ADMISSION • EVERYONE WELCOME

Come take a closer look at these unusual vessels and discover the stories, traditions, artistry, and questions they carry with them.

And if Sean’s face jugs have you wanting to get your hands in some clay yourself, you can join his upcoming Face Jug Workshop at Carnegie Hall on November 7. Visit Carnegie Hall’s website for details and to register.

We hope you’ll join us at the North House Museum Friday night on October 9 for this intriguing lecture.