Art Pottery of the 20th Century

How did a pastime for young women transform into a flourishing industry in the 20th century? Find out how a number of innovative potters established regional enterprises, creating new technologies and styles as the national market for art pottery developed and grew.  

Expressing individual taste and personality, art pottery encompasses many different styles, from Victorian and Arts and Crafts to Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. While changing tastes and economic pressures affected production, the creative spirit of art pottery lives on today through the work of ceramic artists making singular artworks rather than functional pieces for daily use. Both art pottery and studio ceramics show us how American taste evolved from Victorian to modern in less than a century. Find inspiration for your own home from the artists and entrepreneurs who shaped these movements.