Remembering Justin Allman

A legacy lighting the path for future plateau artists

By Kat Ford

A sculpture stands near the gazebo at The Village Green. The large white vase depicts an owl and rabbits among native florae. Visitors will find themselves enjoying the artist's appreciation of local wildlife, and they will be correct in understanding the heart of thepotter whose hand delicately carved away portions of the original form's leather-hardclay. To many on the plateau, it is a poignant tribute to a local champion for the visual arts. For some, including myself, it is a place to remember a friend.

I met Justin Allman in 2018 while managing The Bascom Shop; you can still watch the Artist Talk we filmed during his Greehey Atrium showcase in the archived videos of The Bascom’s Facebook page. During our ten-minute conversation, we touched on a topic that we would revisit often during our friendship- his carved lanterns and vases. Inspired by Appalachian wildlife and Korean pottery, he explored the concept of refined mountain-themed art in porcelain. Like many artists, Justin sought balance in creating ceramics that would sell quickly to pay the bills while evolving the concepts that defined his unique aesthetic. In a September 2020 Instagram post, Justin wrote, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my work. For a year or so, I’ve been thinking over and over what makes me different from other potters and artists. My answer has always been my carving. I’d only carve a few pieces here and there and then make a bunch of fast work. But this year, my carving work has caught up, and more people are buying it. So, I’ve decided that my carving is where I’m exploring from now on.”

Justin had a keen business sense, a skill set that does not always come easy to artists.

He was driven by a passion and vision to create professional opportunities and exposure for artists on the plateau. He was president of the Jackson County Art Council, founded Pots on the Green and formed De la Rocher, a local artistic collective to sell large-scale, exclusive work. Justin knew that exposure to the residents and visitors of the plateau might offer the type of recognition that could take professional artists decades to obtain. He was on a mission, not just for himself but for the region.

On November 4, 2021, Justin Chaundy Allman passed away from COVID-19 complications at the age of 44. In line with his passion and with thoughtful, loving consideration for posterity, his last wish was to bequeath The Village Green with an arts endowment to further his legacy of springboarding artists into success while elevating Cashiers as an artistic hub.

The sculpture is an enlarged replica of a porcelain vase. Justin’s mother, Judy Dixon, teamed with Wesley Wofford, Justin’s friend and an award-winning Cashiers sculptor specializing in monumental public installations. When discussing a memorial piece, they considered a display of Pots on the Green, a nod to the annual fine arts pottery show Justin began in 2018. Then Wesley shared his last conversation with Justin. While displaying at the Leaf Festival, Justin told Wesley he was considering moving his work to the public realm, and they brainstormed how to enlarge his ceramics for permanent display.

Inspired, Judy selected an original vase, and Wesley had it cyber-scanned, enlarged, 3D printed and cast in bronze. Every cut of the sculpture was made with Justin’s tool; every edge was smoothed by his hand. Justin’s finished vases were white, so Wesley instructed a powder coater to custom match the glaze of the original piece.

It is the kind of attention to detail and authenticity that a master craftsman like Wesley considers when honoring a friend’s body of work.

Justin Allman was a kind and thoughtful leader, a visionary and a talented creative. He cared about nature, community, art and artists. If you would like to learn more about the man behind the sculpture, Scroll through his Instagram account @Teplicuss, a word fusing the names of the Greek gods of fire and creation, or read his June 2020 article, Carving Dreams Out of Clay on theplateaumag.com. You can also speak to one of his many friends.

As his friend, if you asked me, I would tell you that he was intelligent and a great conversationalist; our talks ranged from mythology to business, philanthropy to antiques. He often wore clay- stained overalls and would joke that wearing them made people take him more seriously as an artist. I would tell you that I last saw Justin during a carving demonstration at the 2021 Cashiers Designer Showhouse; I was co-chairing that year. I meant to purchase one of his new lanterns but lost track of time; I thought I would see him again. I would likely get teary-eyed and say I should have stopped; I should have bought every lantern on his table. If you are an artist, I would encourage you to honor his memory by spending every available moment making what you love. If you know an artist, I would implore you to buy their work, comment on their social media, and let them talk your ear off about their vision. You never know when you won’t have another chance.

Additional donations to further the endowment’s fund for initiatives that create opportunities for regional artists can be given in Justin’s memory by sending a check to: The Village Green with a memo line Allman Endowment for The Arts, The Village GreenPO Box 2201, Cashiers, NC 28717, www.villagegreencashiersnc.com