Caroleen Sanders

Caroleen Sanders was born on the Catawba Reservation in 1944. Caroleen is known for the fine burnish on her pots. She frequently uses traditional animal motifs in her work. She is a traditional potter who is also willing to innovate.

She grew up watching other potters work, especially her mother, Verdie Harris Sanders. Caroleen began working with clay seriously in the middle 1970s. She was influenced to take up the craft by the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project’s annual festival. She received acclaim for her innovative busts of Chief Sam Blue and Margaret Brown. Caroleen learned her craft from master potters such as Nola Campbell and Earl Robbins.