PHOTO BY EEBERGER
arts&life
exhibits
Life In Clay
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Pewabic unveils a new tile
studio — plus, its annual
holiday show.
60
December 6 • 2018
jn
Tile to bring a connection to the Tree of Life.
“We determined to give it the signa-
ture look of the oak,” explains Sylvia, who
researched lettering to make sure the proper
forms were included. “I felt honored to be
able to bring this significant addition to our
devotional collection.”
The Frost glaze was planned to enhance
many of Pewabic’s new and one-of-a-kind
ceramics. It features an ethereal blue sheen
with a glistening surface crackle. While the
tone suggests a peaceful winter season, it will
carry through the rest of the year.
Among the pieces being offered glazed in
Frost are bud vases, mugs, bowls and lamps.
The popular Leaf and Berries Tiles also are
available for the season along with other con-
PHOTO BY EEBERGER
M
ary Chase Perry Stratton helped
to usher the Arts and Crafts
Movement into Detroit.
In 1903, Stratton co-founded, with Horace
Caulkins, what would become Pewabic
Pottery — and three years later she became
a founding member of the Detroit Society of
Arts and Crafts. After years of experimenta-
tion, Stratton discovered an iridescent glaze
that put Pewabic on the map as one of the
most innovative potteries of its time.
Stratton’s legacy is still proudly upheld: At
this year’s Pewabic Holiday Showcase, a new
glaze — Frost — will be introduced. Among
the many objects available for purchase at this
showcase are two ceramic works of Judaica.
A mezuzah and a Star of David tile were
made in the new Maxine and Stuart Frankel
Pewabic Tile Studio, an addition completed
this year as the first production expansion of
the National Historic Landmark since 1912.
“The Star of David tile is a classic. It can
hang from the wall; we also sell stands that
can hold it on tables or desks,” says Steve
McBride, Pewabic executive director.
“The traditional mezuzah has a honey
glaze, and it has been a classic for 10 or 15
years,” McBride says. “There’s a little space in
the back for the scroll. We haven’t shown the
mezuzah, which also comes in green tones,
for a while, but we brought it back this year.”
Genevieve Sylvia, Pewabic senior designer,
set forth to make a true mezuzah that she felt
was representative of Pewabic. Sylvia selected
a detail from the pottery center’s Oak Leaves
TOP: Classic Vases in Frost and a Snowdrop in Vellum.
MIDDLE: Genevieve Sylvia’s design for the new mezu-
zah. BOTTOM: Pewabic Iridescent Detroit Trivet.