This summer Pewabic Pottery (Pewabic) will feature “Simply by Hand: Architectural Ceramics From Mary Stratton To Now” showcasing the work of contemporary ceramic artists from the United States and Europe along with a new work by staff designers. The exhibit kicks off with an opening reception Friday, July 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and runs through Oct. 14.
The show will feature drawings, sample boards, models and photographs for tile murals, and may also include small tile compositions, tiles produced for singular commissions or speculatively and vessel work. Visitors will also learn a little about the long history of architectural ceramics.
“We are pleased to showcase such a diverse group of ceramic artists and their work at Pewabic,” said Barbara Sido, executive director of Pewabic Pottery. “The Simply by Hand exhibition will display the contemporary aspect of Pewabic’s ongoing architectural tile work.”
Simply by Hand showcases the work of Christine Jetten, from the Netherlands, who developed the glaze used on the architectural tiles of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. The ceramic expertise of Royal Oak native Laurie Eisenhardt, who designed a mural for Henry Ford Hospital, will also be showcased.
Artists featured also include Susan Tunick, a founder of the Friends of Terracotta in New York; Karen Koblitz, who has shown her work internationally, and who teaches in California; Diana Pancioli, who teaches in Michigan and got her start making tile murals while at Pewabic; Lubna Chowdhary whose murals can be seen throughout the United Kingdom, and Jason Green who teaches and whose architecturally inspired sculptures would not exist without the history of architectural ceramics.
In addition, Pewabic design staffer Mario Lopez will premiere a two-paneled work created expressly for the exhibition.
The exhibit is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and is free and open to the public.
Pewabic Pottery is a non-profit arts and cultural organization and National Historic Landmark which is dedicated to engaging people of all ages in learning experiences with contemporary ceramic art and artists while preserving its historic legacy.
Pewabic is a historic working pottery which is open to the public year round and offers classes, workshops and tours to children and adults. Pewabic creates giftware, pottery and architectural tile, showcases more than 80 ceramic artists in its galleries, and operates a museum store that features pottery and gift tile made on-site. Visitors are welcome, free of charge, Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Pewabic Pottery call (313) 626-2000 or visit www.pewabic.org. Pewabic Pottery is located at 10125 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit across the street from Waterworks Park.
