an invitation
ORIGIN STORY
In 2018, Marjorie Dial purchased a 30-acre farm in Western North Carolina with a vision for a residency that would serve artists, writers and art professionals with a focus on ceramics.
Dial came to clay later in life, at the age of 40, and experienced a radical reorientation in the world: “It was as if my DNA got rearranged – there has been this upwelling of energy, intensity, and affection. In Township10, I found a vessel for all that.”
Over two years, with the help of many, she developed the property: restoring the farmhouse, building a bunkhouse, clearing the land of debris, and reconfiguring studios. Township10 is dedicated to those who teach, lead, mentor and disrupt to further their personal, intellectual, and community goals.
“My best friend jokes that Township10 is a love letter, one that needs a secret decoder. She’s not entirely wrong."
STUDIOS
Our main studio facility is equipped with a slab roller, extruder, throwing wheels, ample worktables, storage space, a wood shop and glaze lab. The studio is heated in winter. Fans in the summer. We have designed flexible workspaces for Resident Artists that can accommodate hand-building or wheel work.
We currently have two electric kilns. The Tucker’s Cone Art Kiln is 16.5 cu ft and is our workhorse. The Skutt 822-3 works well for small runs and tests. We have a 28 cu ft, gas, shuttle car kiln for scale, sculptural, and large amounts of work.
STUDIO SPECS:
Lower Studio 450 square feet
Upper Studio 800 square feet
Kiln room 480 square feet
Wood/glaze area (outdoor) 250 square feet
EQUIPMENT:
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4 Brent CXC Wheels
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North Star 24” Slab Roller
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North Star 4” Extruder
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Banding wheels
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Ware boards
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Work tables
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Glaze lab (studio tech only)
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Woodshop (studio tech only)
KILNS:
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Tucker’s CONE ART BX4227D Oval Kiln
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Skutt Kiln 822-3
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28 Cu Ft Blaauw Shuttle Kiln
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Salt Kiln
MIXED MEDIA STUDIO:
This is a seasonal studio that does not have heat. We will activate this space from May-October. It is a flexible layout with plywood walls, a light table, desk and chair, concrete floors, sink, view of barn and beautiful loom/bench for weavers.
We envision this space for fiber artists, painters, drawing, mixed media sculpture (not suitable for metal-working, resin, or wood projects).
COTTAGE
Lovingly restored, the original 1950’s farmhouse is reserved as a base for resident artists.
Details such as the record player, game table, thesis library, writing desk, and rustic day bed connect with the founder’s childhood. They are invitations to slow down and enjoy good company.
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1200 square feet
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2 bedrooms
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1 1/2 baths
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Full kitchen
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Drafting table
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Wi-Fi
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Washer/dryer
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Wrap around porch
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Woodstove
BUNKHOUSE
The bunkhouse is intended to be a flexible, communal space for residents and guests at Township10. In designing the concept, we drew from North Carolina vernacular architecture, Scandinavian design, and memories of summer camp. The bunkhouse is actually two buildings connected by open walkways and deck.
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900 square feet
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3 bedrooms
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2 baths
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Full kitchen
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Reference library
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Wi-Fi
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Washer/dryer
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Large deck
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Woodstove
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Mountain views
REGION
Township10 is nestled in a green cove in the Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina.
It is located 30 miles from the hip bustle of Asheville and 15 minutes from the vibrant energy of Marshall. An ideal base for creative practice, Township10 is both free from the distractions of the outside world and proximal to a multitude of organizations that celebrate the rich craft histories and traditions of North Carolina. Among them the Asheville Art Museum, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Center for Craft, Penland School of Craft, and Warren Wilson College.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Township10 wishes to acknowledge that the residency is situated on the original homelands of the Cherokee tribal nations. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land.