Norfork Potters Revive Ancient Celtic Patterns

Craig Ogilvie, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

NORFORK – Robin and Ray MacGrogan are preserving ancient Celtic patterns and designs here in the Ozarks. The couple may be the only potters in the world today using their exacting art methods.

They are continually receiving inquiries from around the world, including the old Celtic countries, because their techniques are so rare. "We feel complimented when galleries in Ireland and Scotland request our work," Robin notes.

The Celt civilization rose and dominated much of western and central Europe during the first millennium B.C. Except for strongholds in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany in northwest France, the Romans conquered the Celts by the first century A.D. While pure Celtic people no longer exist, the closest examples of their heritage are found in the Highlanders of northwest Scotland. The culture is best remembered for its unique language, literature and art.

When Robin started creating pottery in the 1960s, Mayan, Inca, and other ancient western art intrigued her. Later, Celtic symbolism captured her interest and remains the focal point of her creations. A native of southern California, Robin is a professor of fine art and has held teaching positions at the University of Oregon and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her designs have been commissioned by such notable companies as Disney and Broderbund.

While living in Savannah, Robin started attending Scottish festivals along the East Coast. At one celebration she met Ray MacGrogan, a Florida law enforcement officer and kilt-wearing bagpiper with an abiding love for Ireland. He has visited his ancestral homeland four times, including once accompanied by his bride, Robin.

"Ray and I are fly-fishing enthusiasts, and that's what brought us to Arkansas on vacation," Robin explains. "We adore the rivers, lakes and the state's natural beauty." They purchased their home overlooking the White River, sight-unseen, after watching a video provided by their real estate agent. Ray retired with 36 years of law enforcement service and the MacGrogans moved to the Norfork area of Baxter County about three years ago.

Norfork Village Pottery exhibited twice in Arkansas last year. "We sold out at the Arkansas Scottish Festival at Batesville, and also had a great reception at the Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas Show in Little Rock," Robin says. Both events are on the MacGrogans' calendar again this year, plus shows in Milwaukee, New Orleans, Arcadia, MO, Arlington, TX and Peoria, IL. "The Batesville festival is one of our favorites, because it's like a home show to us," she adds.

The Arkansas Scottish Festival, April 27-29, is in its 22nd year on the tree-covered campus of Lyon College. Saturday and Sunday are packed with non-stop Scottish music, dance, sports and other colorful Highland events. The country fair setting is filled with crafts, foods, import vendors, clan booths, sheepdog demonstrations, children's games, and fun contests. Highlights of the festival include the massed Highland band performances and concerts by Scottish singer Alex Beaton.

The MacGrogans will be honored at two international events this year. Robin and Ray are among a very select few invited to display at the premiere Comhaltas Art Exhibition in Toronto, Canada, in April. For the show, they have chosen a 15-inch platter with special glazing and silkscreen patterns entitled "Children of Lir." Robin's design was inspired by a mysterious Celtic legend about children being turned into swans. They are also among eight elite global artists invited to exhibit at the Milwaukee Irish Festival in August. "This is a rare opportunity that we did not expect," she adds.

Celtic pottery requires hours of handwork and multi-coats of glazing and kiln-firings to achieve the desired finish. Incising, or engraving, the raw clay is a slow time-consuming task and the candle lamp and lantern patterns must be cut through (excised) to allow the candlelight to filter outward. A variety of hand-mixed glazes are used, but iron and copper are used to give many items that "Old World" patina. The pottery is fired to earthenware quality.

The current product line includes oil lamps, square lantern, Celtic boxes, flagon (mug with carved dragon handle), Celtic woman (11-inch tea light holder), platters and more. Carved and incised designs include Celtic knots and crosses, flowing vines, and geometric lines. Ancient symbols for birds, dogs and dragons are used on some items. Because the process is so meticulous, only a limited number of MacGrogan pieces are produced each year.

The MacGrogans are members of the Arkansas Craft Guild and will participate in the Christmas Showcase at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on Dec. 7-9.