Vernon Owens is a native of Moore County, NC; his roots in pottery go back four to five generations. Vernon grew up working in the shop of M.L. Owens, his father, absorbing the style and shapes. In the late 1950's, at the age of fifteen, he went to work also for C.C. Cole. In 1960, John Mare, the new owner of Jugtown Pottery, hired Vernon as the sole Jugtown thrower. Vernon continued at Jugtown Pottery through the ownership of Country Roads, Inc., a nonprofit corporation whose mission was the preservation of hand crafts. In 1983 Vernon bought the pottery; he married potter Pam Lorette that same year.
Vernon Owens is a native of Moore County, NC; his roots in pottery go back four to five generations. Vernon grew up working in the shop of M.L. Owens, his father, absorbing the style and shapes. In the late 1950's, at the age of fifteen, he went to work also for C.C. Cole. In 1960, John Mare, the new owner of Jugtown Pottery, hired Vernon as the sole Jugtown thrower. Vernon continued at Jugtown Pottery through the ownership of Country Roads, Inc., a nonprofit corporation whose mission was the preservation of hand crafts. In 1983 Vernon bought the pottery; he married potter Pam Lorette that same year.