Pewabic: A Century of Michigan’s Art Pottery
October 22 – December 16, 2005

Over 140 examples of historic Pewabic pottery, drawn from public and private collections in Michigan, provide a unique look at Pewabic’s significant place in the Arts and Crafts movement in America. Pewabic was known in the first half of the 20th century for its experimental glazes as the striking examples in the exhibition will reveal. Most of the examples have never before been on public view. The show highlights founder Mary Chase Stratton Perry’s start as a china painter and the early years of production under the name “Revelation Pottery.” Small experimental pots show her innovative approach to glaze chemistry as she responded to Charles Lang Freer’s challenge to reproduce the glazes of ancient Babylonian and Chinese ceramics. The examples in the exhibition are evidence that Pewabic was a small art pottery where each pot was unique. Their tile work installation in homes, offices, churches, public buildings and schools was the only large scale work done by the pottery, represented in the show in photographs. In the 1930s, Pewabic became involved with the Works Progress Administration projects, and during WWII, they turned to small-scale commercial production to keep the struggling pottery alive.

As Michigan State University celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary, this exhibition will pay tribute to MSU’s artistic legacy and connection with Pewabic. From 1965 through 1981, Pewabic was part of MSU and run as an outreach arm of the university. MSU’s involvement enabled Pewabic to save its historic building and continue operating until the Pewabic Society was formed and ownership was passed to it in 1981. In the accompanying exhibition catalogue, Thomas Brunk, guest curator, recounts the MSU/Pewabic connection. An audio tour for adults is available free of charge in the galleries. An “Art Beat” 30 minute program featuring Pewabic will be on continual view, courtesy of Detroit Public Television.

This exhibition is made possible with support from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs; and MSU College of Arts & Letters.

Download a free Pewabic Kids Guide or pick one up when you visit the musuem. This colorful guide will help you and your child explore the Pewabic exhibit and learn about Pewabic Pottery with fun, kid-friendly activities. (For kids in Kindergarten through 4th grades.)

A free audio tour guide is available for this exhibition for adults.

Pewabic: A Century of Michigan's Art Pottery
Exhibition catalogue, 28 pages (8 page color insert plus color cover)
Editor: Suan J. Bandes
Authors: April Kingsley and Thomas W. Brunk
2005
ISBN #978-1-879147-17-1
Price: $20.00 (Friends price $4.50)