Pottery on the Square

For the eleventh consecutive year, Monmouth’s Public Square will host pottery enthusiasts for a pottery and stoneware swap meet and appraisal clinic. The 2016 Pottery on the Square is scheduled for Saturday, June 25th, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. This event draws people from around the state and from the neighboring states of Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. Prior years’ events average 35 swap meet participants in addition to numerous appraisal clinic participants. Anyone with vintage pottery is welcome to participate in the swap meet at no charge.   The event celebrates Monmouth’s historic tradition of creating quality stoneware and also provides a learning opportunity for the aspiring collector.

The pottery appraisal clinic will begin at 8:30am, where knowledgeable Illinois pottery collectors will be on hand to examine pieces of Illinois pottery brought by the public. Rare items have been seen at the appraiser’s booth and it is exciting to see what prized item might show up.

The pottery appraisal is a form similar to the popular TV show Antique Road Show. If you wish to sell your item, pottery collectors will be on hand looking for that unique piece. The public is welcome to bring vintage items the day of the event. Swap meet and appraisal clinic participants are not limited to Illinois pottery, but pottery items must be vintage.
In conjunction with the event the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce is offering to the public an opportunity to purchase a handcrafted limited-edition, bristol mustard pitcher with a Monmouth Pottery Company ^TM logo. The pitcher stands approximately 4 1/2 inches tall and 4 1/2 inches in diameter.   Place your order now for the pitchers that will be available the day of the event. They are priced at $27 and shipping charges vary based on quantity ordered.
For more information on the event or the commemorative Monmouth Pottery Company mustard pitcher contact the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce at 309-734-3181 or e-mail info@monmouthilchamber.com. An order form, commemorative photo, and 2015 event photos are available on the Pottery on The Square page on the chamber’s website www.monmouthilchamber.com.