North Carolina Workshops and Events

  • Check back soon for upcoming events.

    • March - April 2026: Pottery for Beginners

      This 4-week workshop meets for 2 hours every week and focuses on basic pottery techniques.

    • May to June 2026: Pottery for Beginners

    • Donate: if you wish to contribute to our mission of bringing people together, you can make a tax-deductible donation here.

    • Help bridge communities: Are you an artist? Would you like to work with community members in Albemarle? Whether for a short-term, one-day workshop or a two-week residency, we would love to hear from you. Contact rhaque@proximity2humanity.org.

Community Pottery with Laura McLaughlin, June 2026

One of the first examples of our Art for Engagement program was a community pottery workshop led by Pittsburgh/Philadelphia ceramic artist Laura McLaughlin.

Rather than offering a traditional art class, the workshop invited community members of all ages and backgrounds to gather around a shared creative experience. Participants learned the centuries-old sgraffito technique, carving their own stories, memories, and interpretations of Albemarle into handcrafted ceramic tiles.

The project was about much more than pottery.

As participants worked side by side, conversations naturally emerged between people who had never met before. Neighbors shared stories about growing up in Stanly County, newcomers spoke about why they had chosen Albemarle as their home, and participants exchanged ideas, experiences, and perspectives while creating together. The artwork became a catalyst for connection.

Each tile represents an individual voice and perspective, but together they tell the story of a community.

We are currently working with local partners to install these community-created tiles as a permanent public art display on a wall across from Memorial Park in downtown Albemarle. The mural will serve as a lasting reminder that community is built one conversation, one relationship, and one shared experience at a time.

For us, this project reflects the very purpose of Art for Engagement. We use creativity not simply to produce beautiful artwork, but to create opportunities for people to meet, build relationships, and strengthen the social fabric of our community. We believe these moments of connection—small though they may seem—are the foundation of resilient, welcoming communities.