The 20th Annual Potters Market at the Mint is happening Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn of Mint Museum Randolph, located at 2730 Randolph Road in Charlotte.
This year’s event brings together 55 of North Carolina’s premier potters and ceramic artists for a weekend celebration of the art of clay. Visitors can shop exceptional handmade ceramics directly from the artists while supporting The Mint Museum’s exhibitions, education programs, and community access initiatives through ticket sales. As part of its 20th anniversary, Potters Market joins the national stage with Handwork 2026, Craft in America’s year-long semiquincentennial collaboration celebrating the handmade traditions that shape America’s cultural identity.
“For 20 years, Potters Market at the Mint has celebrated North Carolina’s extraordinary ceramic heritage while supporting the talented artists who continue to shape its future,” said Todd Herman, PhD, president and CEO of The Mint Museum. “This milestone year is an opportunity to honor that legacy, welcome new audiences, and showcase our state’s creative traditions as part of Handwork 2026.”
Event Highlights & Weekend Schedule
Beyond shopping for one-of-a-kind ceramics and interacting with the makers, visitors can enjoy live pottery demonstrations, bluegrass music, a beer garden and café, a blind auction, and new pop-up experiences including BRÜ coffee and flower-making.
- Saturday, Sept. 26 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.): The main Potters Market takes place rain or shine beneath the big tent on the museum lawn. Includes a free public lecture at 1 p.m. by internationally acclaimed Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz, known for his groundbreaking work in pottery, fashion, and contemporary Indigenous art.
- Sunday, Sept. 27 (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.): The celebration continues with a special symposium and reception featuring renowned ceramic artist and scholar Mark Hewitt. Hewitt will deliver the keynote lecture, “The Past, Present, and Future of North Carolina Ceramics,” followed by a panel discussion with distinguished artists Cynthia Bringle, Travis Owens, and Ibrahim Said (2–4 p.m.), concluding with a reception (4–5 p.m.). Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.
Presented by Principal Foundation, Potters Market is the Mint’s second-largest annual fundraiser after its Coveted Couture Gala.
“We are grateful to Principal Foundation for its continued partnership,” added Herman. “Its generous support helps us champion these extraordinary artists while advancing our mission to make art engaging and accessible for all.”
Tickets are $25 and include museum admission and access to all lectures and talks. To learn more, purchase tickets, and RSVP to the Sunday Symposium, visit pottersmarketatthemint.com.
About The Mint Museum
Established in 1936 as North Carolina’s first art museum, The Mint Museum is a leading, innovative cultural institution and museum of international art and design. With two locations — Mint Museum Randolph in the heart of Eastover and Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts — the Mint boasts one of the largest collections in the Southeast and is committed to engaging and inspiring members of the global community. For more information, visit mintmuseum.org.
