Pewabic Pottery Explained

Pewabic Pottery
Nrhp Type:nhl
Location:10125 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Coordinates:42.3614°N -82.9817°W
Built:1908
Architect:William B. Stratton; Baldwin, Frank D.
Architecture:Tudor Revival, Kentish Inn
Area:less than one acre
Designated Nrhp Type:December 4, 1991[1]
Added:September 3, 1971
Refnum:71000430
Designated Other1:Michigan
Designated Other1 Date:December 11, 1970

Pewabic Pottery is a ceramic studio and school in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1903, the studio is known for its iridescent glazes, some of which grace notable buildings such as the Shedd Aquarium and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The pottery continues in operation today, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.

Origin and history

The pottery was founded in 1903 by the artist and teacher Mary Chase Perry Stratton and Horace James Caulkins, her business partner.[2] Caulkins was considered a high-heat and kiln specialist, and developed the "Revelation kiln". Mary Perry Stratton was "the artistic and marketing force."[3] The collaboration of the two and their blend of art and technology gave the pottery its distinctive qualities as Detroit's contribution to the International Arts and Crafts movement and exemplified the American Craftsman Style.[4]

The word Pewabic is derived from the Ojibwa (or Chippewa) word "wabic", which means metal, or "bewabic", which means iron or steel, and specifically referring to the "Pewabic" Upper Peninsula copper mine where Ms. Stratton walked with her father. The company is well known for the unusual iridescent glaze covering the pottery and tiles created in a manner outlined by the International Arts and Crafts movement.[5] [6]

In 1991, Pewabic Pottery was designated as a National Historic Landmark (see also List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan). As Michigan's only historic pottery, the center continues to operate in a 1907 Tudor Revival building as a non-profit educational institution. They offer classes in ceramics, hold exhibitions, sell pottery made in house, showcase and sell artists from across the United States, and offer design and fabrication services for public and private buildings.

Museum and galleries

The museum's exhibits focus on the company's role in the history of Detroit, the Arts and Crafts movement in America and the development of ceramic art in the country. The galleries also showcase new works by modern ceramic artists.

Famous works

Pewabic Pottery produces many kinds of hand made decorative objects. They are part of the collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and the Freer Gallery of Art.[7] [8] [9]

Under Mary Stratton's artistic leadership, Pewabic Pottery employees created lamps, vessels, and architectural tiles. Architectural pieces have been a staple in Pewabic's history. They were known for their iridescent (like an oil slick with an incredible translucent quality and a phantasmagoric depth of color) glazes. Architectural tiles were used in churches, concert halls, fountains, libraries, museums, schools and public buildings. The studio's work graces numerous edifices throughout Michigan and the rest of the United States. Noteworthy examples include Herzstein Hall at Rice University in Houston, Texas,[10] [11] and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Illinois.[7] Detailed maps of public installations in the Detroit Metropolitan Area and the U.S.A. are available.[12] See Architectural tile infra.

Particularly notable was the company's work at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., consisting of arches outlined with iridescent Pewabic tile, huge ceramic medallions set in the ceiling, and fourteen Stations of the Cross for the crypt.[9]

Pewabic's design team continues to create ornate tile conceptions for public and private buildings. Contemporary installations include Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Medical Center Children's Hospital, five Detroit People Mover stations, Third Man Records (Detroit), stations for the Q-Line, and the Herald Square in New York City.

Architectural tile

Pewabic tile was (and continues to be) in great demand in Detroit and the southeastern Michigan area for the use in buildings and it can be found in many of the area's finest structures.[13] These include:

See also

References

Notes

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pewabic Pottery. 2008-06-27. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121006235343/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1110&ResourceType=Building. 2012-10-06.
  2. Web site: National Park Service designation of Pewabic Pottery as National Historic Landmark.
  3. Web site: Historian chronicles historic pottery..
  4. Web site: Brunk, Thomas W., Ph.D., Curator on Pewabic Pottery history and exhibit at Marshall Fredericks Museum.. 2007-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20100530213642/http://www.marshallfredericks.com/?m=200708. 2010-05-30. dead.
  5. Web site: Painting With Fire: Pewabic Vessels in the Margaret Watson Parker Collection (University of Michigan Art Museum).. 2007-11-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20070713141859/http://www.si.umich.edu/chico/Pewabic/cover.html. 2007-07-13. dead.
  6. Web site: Child's history of Pewabic Pottery and Mary Stratton--Michigan Historical Museum..
  7. Web site: Craft in America, Mary Chase Perry Stratton.. https://web.archive.org/web/20071019223024/http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_clay/story_245.php. dead. October 19, 2007.
  8. Web site: ExchangeSearch: artist:"Pewabic Pottery". 2020-12-09. exchange.umma.umich.edu.
  9. Web site: Nolan. Jenny. Pewabic tile, Detroit's art treasure. Detroit News. 2000-02-12.
  10. Web site: Commentary on Pewabic Pottery..
  11. Web site: The Perils of Planning...Or Not.. 2015-05-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20120725134737/http://www.aia.org/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab088099.pdf. 2012-07-25. dead.
  12. Web site: See, maps and detailed lists of U.S. and Detroit metropolitan area architectural installations of Pewabic Pottery, Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20071111125159/http://pewabic.com/tile-installations.htm. 2007-11-11. dead.
  13. Web site: Maps and detailed lists of U.S. and Detroit metropolitan area architectural installations of Pewabic Pottery, Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20071111125159/http://pewabic.com/tile-installations.htm. 2007-11-11. dead.
  14. Web site: Map and list of Detroit cultural center installations. 2007-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000400/http://pewabic.com/map_culturalcenter.htm. 2007-11-12. dead.
  15. Web site: City of Detroit Planning and Development Department on Charles Lang Freer house.. 2010-05-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20110718062022/http://www.detroitmi.gov/historic/districts/freer_hse.pdf. 2011-07-18. dead.
  16. Web site: Map and list of Cranbrook area installations. 2007-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000355/http://pewabic.com/map_cranbrook.htm. 2007-11-12. dead.
  17. Web site: Map and list of People Mover architectural installations. 2007-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000414/http://pewabic.com/map_peoplemover.htm. 2007-11-12. dead.
  18. Web site: Picture of People Mover Station, Pewabic Pottery home page. 2007-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211223706/http://pewabic.com/tile-murals.htm. 2007-12-11. dead.
  19. Book: The Healing Work of Art: From the Collection of Detroit Receiving Hospital . 2007 . 9-780979-881800.
  20. Web site: English Inn history page.
  21. Web site: Solanus Casey Center home page..
  22. Web site: Picture of Solanus Casey installation, Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211223706/http://pewabic.com/tile-murals.htm. 2007-12-11. dead.
  23. Web site: Harper House description.
  24. Web site: Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center.
  25. Web site: Picture Maude Priest School, Pewabic Pottery home page. 2007-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211223706/http://pewabic.com/tile-murals.htm. 2007-12-11. dead.
  26. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_mhm_pewabic-tiles_03-10-2004_92006_7.pdf See
  27. Web site: Historian chronicles story of Pewabic Pottery..
  28. Web site: List and map of Detroit Metro area installations. 2007-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000405/http://pewabic.com/map_detroit.htm. 2007-11-12. dead.
  29. Web site: Picture, Oakland Family Services donor wall, Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20070918220332/http://www.pewabic.com/donor-walls.htm. 2007-09-18. dead.
  30. Web site: List and maps of Detroit metro installations. 2007-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000405/http://pewabic.com/map_detroit.htm. 2007-11-12. dead.
  31. Web site: Picture, David Adamany Library installation Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211223706/http://pewabic.com/tile-murals.htm. 2007-12-11. dead.
  32. Web site: Picture, wall murat at Merrill Palmer Institute, Pewabic Pottery home page.. 2007-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20070918220332/http://www.pewabic.com/donor-walls.htm. 2007-09-18. dead.
  33. Web site: Product page for Exhibition Catalogue.
  34. Web site: Brunk, Thomas W., Ph.D., Curator on Pewabic Pottery history and exhibit at Marshall Fredericks Museum.. 2018-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20120215150110/http://www.marshallfredericks.com/?m=200708%2F. 2012-02-15. dead.

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