Mr. Reenock teaches art & culture through ugly jugs

Mr. Reenock’s ceramic class is currently undertaking and interesting project: Ugly Face Jugs. Ugly Face Jugs have the same basic shape as the average jug. However, Ugly Jugs have extra clay that gets added onto it and molded into the shape and design of an ugly or even scary looking face. There are several histories to accompany these interesting looking jugs. One of the stories behind the jugs is that people in Appalachia would keep their moonshine in them. The main purpose was to prevent children from drinking the contents of the container. Another one of the stories is geared toward a specific

type of these jugs, the devil jug. Devil jugs are ugly face jugs with the addition of devil horns. It is said that they originated in the slave communities. After someone died devil jugs were placed on their grave. If the jug broke sometime during the first year, it was said that they had been wrestling with the devil at the time of death. These are just a few of the many fascinating stories behind these odd looking jugs.