Bayle Owens
North Carolina

Black teadust glaze on a lightly salted, reduction fired stoneware with steel handle
Functional
7.5"w x 6.25"l x 7.5"h

About the Artist
Bayle Owens grew up at Jugtown Pottery in Seagrove, NC. Although she made pots at Jugtown off and on throughout her life, she began working as a serious potter in 2013. Bayle makes a variety of shapes with an emphasis on decorated pieces. She also makes sculptural animals, drawing inspiration from the many potters who have made animals at Jugtown during the last century. Brushwork application of slip is a particular focus of Bayle’s work, whether it’s a fox drawn on a functional form, or a fur-like texture brushed onto a sculptural animal.
Much of Bayle’s work draws upon the natural world around her, ranging from her animal sculptures and decorations to the pumpkins and gourds that she makes in the fall of each year.
“I have always been drawn to wild and domestic animals with whom we share this world. I draw inspiration from the beauty and wisdom of these creatures as I work to capture some essence of their being in my work.”
Aside from her work, Bayle is an avid animal lover and caregiver. Spending time with her funny little menagerie is a great source of inspiration for her life and work, and she incorporates animal rescue work into her busy schedule as much as she can.
Bayle received an AA in Professional Craft: Fiber from Haywood Community College in 2012.

About Jugtown Pottery
The Owens family of Jugtown Pottery is one of North Carolina’s most enduring pottery lineages, where craft and family have long been intertwined. Vernon and Pam Owens, master potters who helped sustain and revitalize Jugtown in the late twentieth century, built their studio life within Seagrove’s centuries‑old clay tradition. Their children, Travis and Bayle, grew up in the workshop and became accomplished potters themselves, carrying forward the region’s forms, materials, and firing methods. Together, the family continues to evolve the Jugtown legacy while honoring the knowledge passed down through generations.

*Teapots that are purchased will remain on display in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition, through September 14, 2026. 
After the show closes, teapots will be carefully packed and shipped by September 28, or they may be picked up at the gallery.