Last week I had the pleasure of attending the annual staff and student exhibition at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. Located on Jefferson Avenue across from Waterworks Park, close to historic Indian Village neighborhood, the building and the Pottery are a National Historic Landmark.
Founded in 1903 by Mary Chase Perry Stratton, Pewabic Pottery’s first home was a stable on Alfred Street in Detroit. Four years later, it moved to the current Tudor Revival-style facility on Jefferson. Under Stratton’s direction, the Pottery produced nationally-renowned vessels, tiles and architectural ornamentation for both public and private institutions and facilities.
Stratton was a founding member of the Detroit Arts & Crafts Society, and later a trustee of what is currently the Detroit Institute of Arts. She started the ceramics department at the University of Michigan and taught at Wayne State University, receiving honorary degrees from both. She also was awarded the Charles Fergus Binns Medal, the nation’s highest award in ceramics.
Today, the Pottery is owned and operated by the private non-profit Pewabic Society, which develops and administers numerous education, exhibition, museum and design/fabrication programs. The Pottery is also renowned for the unique glazes used on the pieces produced there. Over 70,000 people visit the facility annually.
Works from Pewabic Pottery can be seen all around the country. The Nebraska Capitol, the Science building at Rice University in Houston, the Herald Square installation at New York’s Metro Transit Authority and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. are just a few examples. In Detroit, numerous churches, schools and commercial buildings – the Guardian Building, Metropolitan Airport’s McNamara Terminal, Comerica Park, the People Mover stations, the Detroit Public Library, etc. – have significant installations from the Pottery, as well as countless private residences in the metropolitan area.
In addition to the numerous classes held year-around, there are many events, exhibits and tours available, as well as in-house consultants who provide services to architects and interior designers. The Museum Store features a wide range of interesting pieces that can be seen, and purchased, on-site. Prices are extremely reasonable.
As an interesting side note, Jack Butler, president of BG Media and longtime Iconix friend and associate, won the Best of Show award for the annual staff and student exhibit currently on display. Jack has been a student at Pewabic for over a year, and seems to have seriously caught the mudslinging bug. His winning piece, Twin Towers, is shown here. Congratulations, Jack.
A visit to the Pottery is definitely worthwhile, as it’s a great example of the renowned Detroit arts community. Check out the website for hours and more info: www.pewabic.com
lizaanne 07/27/2010
I love Pewabic Pottery – it is SO Detroit!! There are an amazing number of residential and business, and even church examples of where this beautiful pottery has been used. Here is a forum discussion of some great old locations where pottery can be found in the city: http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?t=6069&highlight=pewabic
Sandra 07/27/2010
I love this place… My first time there was in the late 70’s. I have a few pieces of art from Pewabic. Next time that I’m in MI, I will head over for a burst of beauty.
So glad to hear and see that it’s still a landmark of Detroit.