American Ceramics 1884-1972
February 25-September 3, 2006

SAN DIEGO—As one of a series of projects celebrating SDMA's 80th anniversary, American Ceramics 1884-1972 showcases rarely seen works from the Museum's significant collection of American ceramics—shaped by founding director Reginald Poland and the generosity of many important donors-as well as loans from public and private collections in the region. American Ceramics demonstrates the depth of the Museum's holdings in this area with outstanding examples from a number of key firms associated with the American Art Pottery movement, such as Rookwood, Newcomb, Grueby, and Van Briggle, as well as from the eccentric Biloxi potter, George E. Ohr.

During Poland's 25 years as director the Museum acquired many significant pieces from the Arts & Crafts movement and well-known studio potters spanning the years 1884-1972. Due to the director's interest in contemporary ceramics, works by Southern California studio potters began entering the collection in 1933. Among the early acquisitions from this era are pieces by Glen Lukens, Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Laura Andreson, and Beatrice Wood. Soon after meeting the Natzlers, Poland invited them to the Museum for their first solo exhibition, and SDMA became the first museum to acquire their works for a permanent collection. Poland also served as a juror for national and regional shows and brought a number of exhibitions in this field to San Diego.

The Pewabic Pottery of Detroit, Michigan, is represented by an important group of six vases that came to the Museum in 1941 as a gift from Mary Chase Perry Stratton, who had been the driving force behind the firm. In a letter to Poland at the time of the donation, Stratton noted, "the pieces sent to you have been made at different periods during the past 25 years and put away as 'top notchers,' to be installed someday in distinguished places."

The exhibition's special focus on local products includes the Torrey Pines Tile—a Laird Plumleigh creation inspired by the local Torrey pine tree. Several rare examples from the Valentien Pottery, which operated for only three short years in San Diego, illustrate the collaboration between Albert R. Valentien and his wife, Anna Marie Bookprinter Valentien. Both had previously been employed by the renowned Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati. Although Albert passed away before the Museum opened in 1926, Anna Marie was an enthusiastic supporter of its mission. Three Rookwood vases in the early section of the exhibition came to the Museum as a bequest from her estate. Additionally, fine works from the Markham Pottery and the California China Products Company of National City are included as well.

Museum Information
San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 122107
San Diego, CA 92112-2107
General Information: (619) 232-7931/ Facsimile: (619) 232-9367
Web site: www.sdmart.org

The historic San Diego Museum of Art provides a rich and diverse cultural experience for more than 400,000 annual visitors. Located in the heart of beautiful Balboa Park, the Museum's nationally renowned collections include Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings, and 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures. In addition, the Museum regularly features major exhibitions of art from around the world, as well as an extensive year-round schedule of supporting cultural and educational programs.

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