Upcoming Events for Art Pottery Enthusiasts

Upcoming Events for Art Pottery Enthusiasts

Part of the art pottery experience is attending various shows and events throughout the year.  You always end up finding that one art pottery piece that completes your collection or maybe meet someone who shares your passion for McCoy cookie jars; and no one walks away from any of these shows without gaining a lot of valuable information.  With that thought in mind, here are a few upcoming events slated for Summer 2010 throughout the country.

If you’re going to be in the Philadelphia, PA area anytime during April, be sure to visit the “Potters Council 2010 Exhibition: FILL-adelphia”.  For more information, visit ceramicsartsdaily.org/potters-council.

One of the biggest art pottery events of the year will be the American Art Pottery Association Convention, Show and Auction held April 21-25 in Cleveland, Ohio. You can find out more at aapa.info.

On May 8, the Annual Cowan Pottery Symposium is being held in Rocky River, OH.  Visit cowanpottery.org or rrpl.org for more information on this upcoming symposium.

Right in the heart of American art pottery country, The Zanesville Museum of Art will show an exhibition of Ohio ceramics beginning May 8 and will run through August 7.  The event, “Deco” is a must see if you’re in the area over the summer.

Columbia, SC is home to the “Innovation and Change: Great Ceramics from the Ceramic Research Center, Arizona State University Collection” traveling exhibition slated for May 27 through September 5.  It’s being held at the Columbia Museum of Art and more information can be found at columbiamuseum.org.

Are you a fan of stoneware?  Check out the Brandywine River Museum’s exhibition of “Crocks, Jugs, and Jars: Decorated American Stoneware” between May 29 and July 18 in Chadds Ford, PA.

The North Dakota Pottery Collectors Society in Grand Forks, ND is hosting a convention June 11, 12 and 13 titled “Celebrating 100 Years of U.N.D.”.  If you’re interested, visit ndpcs.org.

“The Scarab Vase  - Celebrating 100 Years” is an exhibition that can be seen at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY between June 12 and August 29.  Everson.org has all the details.

Finally, another Zanesville, OH event, “Pottery Lovers Reunion” can be seen beginning July 8 and July 11.  This is another must-see for pottery lovers everywhere.  Visit potterylovers.org for the specifics.

Have anything else to contribute to the list?  Drop us a line and we’ll do our best to get it posted.  Finally, don't forget to visit our site for all the latest additions and browse our bargain bin, too

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Just Art Pottery New Arrivals

Visiting the Just Art Pottery new arrivals page is like the anticipation of unwrapping an unexpected gift. You can’t wait to see what awaits you.  You never know for sure what it is, but you’re never disappointed.  Whether you’re a casual art pottery collector or avidly seek new and hard to find American art pottery, there’s something for everyone.  Here are a few of the latest additions:

Clyde Burt Mid-Century Modern Pottery Vase – This is a rare ribbed vase with a black design element that at first sight appears to be random.  The glaze and deep brick color is superb and the vase it self is flawless with no seams, damage or repair.  It stands 6 ½” high and measures 5 ¼” in  width.  The artist, Clyde Burt, who was born in Melrose, Ohio in 1922, has work displayed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  His trademark design elements include the fine black abstract lines against solid colors. 

There are also two incredible Fulper Pottery pieces, including a Fulper Pottery Cats Eye Flambe  Fishing Man Statue.  The browns and deep blues are remarkable under the glossy finish.  Notice the attention to detail, especially in the fisherman’s hand and legs.  This is the perfect centerpiece for a mantle or as the star in a curio cabinet.  It’s in excellent condition and while it’s a larger piece, it also is only 4” deep.  Its size comes in its height and width, measuring 12 ½” and 11 ¼” respectively.

The second Fulper Pottery piece also showcases a fisherman.  It too is large and is green, specifically, “cucumber green”.  A small restoration effort was made to correct a small chip.  It’s considered minor and is the only damage.  Another piece that only measures 4” in depth, it’s still considered a large piece. Note the lighter blue that plays off the black and green.  It comes together to define a truly lovely art pottery piece.

As always, these are not all-inclusive; there are many other new arrivals that you have to see to appreciate.  There is a well rounded inventory that includes Grueby Pottery and a few Hull Pottery vases

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Weller Pottery Matt Green

Weller Pottery Matt Green

Matt Green, when used in context with Weller Pottery company, is not a name, but rather, a production of a particular glaze dated around 1905.  Historians say it’s one of the more interesting glazes of Weller Pottery and that it came closer to matching in quality to Grueby Pottery than any other pottery company during that time.  For those who collect the Weller Pottery matt green pieces, they know they are rarely marked and have what’s referred to as “highly stylized” features.  Still, many have trouble identifying these pieces.  That’s a shame since it’s possible that beautiful pieces have been overlooked because a collector wasn’t sure if it was a true Weller piece.  Interestingly, the bottoms of most of the pottery pieces finished in this glaze have a blue-green  appearance.  This is indicative that you’re in the presence of a true Weller Pottery piece.  And the values are impressive, too.

An undated matt green jardinière, with applied leaf handles, floriform feet and embossed lilies can bring in an impressive amount, close to a thousand dollars at times and the jardinières with Greek key patterns are considered extremely collectible as well. Another attractive reason to consider collecting the Weller Pottery matt green line is its versatility. Vases of varying sizes and shapes, planters, lamp bases and umbrella stands are just a few of the offerings.  The originality in the designs is remarkable.  One vase, complete with banded handles, is unlike anything else you’re likely to find. It stands 12” high and the “bands” on the two handles resemble vents.  They’re horizontal and extend only to the expanse of the handles.  It’s a very unique look – and it definitely adds monetary value to the vase. 

The fact is, there are many beautiful pieces in this glaze line. Weller Pottery definitely has its place in the American art pottery sector and for those who’ve yet to discover it or recognize it for what it offers is in for a real treat once they’re able to really take a closer look.  Do yourself a favor – start with the mat green line.  See all of the Weller Pottery collections at Just Art Pottery.

Roseville Pottery Facts

I’m always amazed at how many incredible facts and stories are a part of the Roseville Pottery legacy.  These important bits of information come together to define one of the most revered American pottery companies.  I’m sure even the most knowledgeable experts still discover interesting and little known particulars of information from time to time.  After doing research this week, I was able to find several interesting details, most of these coming from a renowned Roseville Pottery expert, Mark Bassett.  Some you may already know, but hopefully, you’ll discover a few facts you weren’t already aware of.

Did You Know…

·         The factory’s failure in the mid-1950s was due to the Raymor collection?  This is interesting considering it’s a favorite among contemporary collectors.  The primary colors found in this collection are avocado (a primary color for anything in the 1950s…remember your Mom or Grandmother’s avocado kitchen appliances?), dark brown and white.  You’ll find desk accessories, vases and other shapes in this Roseville collection.

·         Some avid Roseville Pottery collectors have searched for thirty-plus years for a single piece to complete a collection?  This is testament to the passion many have for this American art pottery company.

·         At one point in the early 1900s, Roseville Pottery found itself in competition with Weller Pottery for the talents of two brothers, Frederick and Harry Rhead?

·         Before undertaking the inception of Roseville Art Pottery in 1892, George F. Young worked as a school teacher, a Singer sewing machine salesman and stoneware salesman?  Six years after opening, the company was relocated to what was once a stoneware plant in Zanesville, Ohio.

·         In 1947, the pottery maker introduced a new alpha-numeric system for its identification  method? The system was a failure and the company reversed to its previous methods.

It’s those little pieces of information that come together and define a company.  Whether you’re a long-time collector or have recently discovered Roseville Pottery, odds are, there will likely always be some little known fact you that pops up and catches you by surprise. 

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Creating Indoor Fountains

Three Bowl Fountain

What worked?
• The top bowl had the perfect spout shapes on the sides from which to pour into the other bowls.
• Placing a long foot on the bottom of the bowls, rather than trying to come up from the bottom of the next lower bowl proved useful for glazing purposes.
• The straight up-and-down design with the continuous line from feet to bowl provided easy placement of the tubing for least exposure.

What didn’t
• I didn’t think hard enough about where the pump would be going—hence the huge pile of rocks in the bottom bowl to cover it up. I’m not sure that the river rocks completely match the style, carving, and coloring of the bowls. Next time, I would have either made the foot of the bowl above large enough to accommodate the pump, or made and glazed smaller stylized pieces of clay to replace the river rocks.
• The middle bowl does not have any clear channel for the water in which to run, so it tends to pour and splatter from everywhere. Next time, I would try to design it with definite spouts on the edges.
• I would have liked the bottom bowl to be larger. This would give more space to hold water in the bottom, and might look a little more balanced. In order to give the fountain enough water to supply all of the bowls, more water must be added as soon as it is turned on and the original water is sucked up the tube.

Gourd Fountain

What worked?
• The simplistic design and minimal components of this fountain made it much easier to put together and much less fuss to work with.
• The glaze coloring (a green celadon) and the rounded form work well with the smooth river rocks.
• When I created the top component, I left a large hole in the bottom. This hole allows quick and easy access to the pump and the tubing. The form just sits slightly on top of the pump itself, supported by the river rocks.

What didn’t• The hole around the top of the gourd was very difficult to position with rocks in such a way that they didn’t fall down the tubing, or simply through the form. I finally worked through this problem by gluing some larger rocks around the tube, and then gluing smaller ones on top of it. It was especially difficult to make the rocks work because I couldn’t immediately test how they affected the flow without destroying my glue job.
• The thick black cord seems disproportionate with the rest of the fountain. In the future, I would look around more to find a pump with a two-prong cord instead of this massive three-prong one.

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