These are the voices of Gerry Williams, the founding editor of Studio Potter, interviewing North Carolina potter Neolia Cole. One of the most enduring and prolific of North Carolina’s potting dynasties is the Cole family, whose members have been potting in central North Carolina—Randolph, Moore, Lee, and Montgomery Counties—for more than two hundred years.

This audio was summarized into a short article featuring Neol in Studio Potters North Caroline Potters issue from December 1997. This issue focused on the vibrant pottery traditions of the region, and Studio Potter has remastered these voices from the past. Over the next few months, we’ll dive into our archives to share audio stories from potters in states impacted by Hurricane Helene.