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The National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center located near Zanesville, Ohio, is not only a place to see some of the best art pottery in the world, but also a learning lab for Hocking College students earning their Certificate in Decorative Ceramic Arts. Students have the opportunity to work with regional potteries and ceramic artists.
At the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center, you have the chance to see antique pottery, brick collections, changing exhibits of ceramic art, and demonstrations by resident artists. Avid pottery collectors are also encouraged to check out the gift shop for unique finds.
A Brief History of the Pottery Heritage of Our Region
The people of the Woodland Indian cultures (from 800 B.C.E.) were the first people in South East Ohio to make pottery for storing and cooking food. Known to archeologists as the Adena, Hopewell and Late Woodland cultures, each group developed its own distinct pot shapes and decorations. European settlers later colonized the area and established small backyard potteries, known as “Bluebird Potteries.” The potteries operated out of small sheds and thus their openings were an annual spring event, just like the return of the bluebirds. With the onset of the industrial revolution, pottery manufacturers became mechanized. Mass production of slip cast wares became common. The Art Pottery movement (1880-1940's) began as a response to the standardization of mass production. Many fine, collectible, individually made Art Pottery pieces were created until about 1950 when the industry again returned to production of large volume commercial pottery. The collection of the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center contains many fine examples of Art Pottery and other pieces that date from the 1880's to the present. Today, the region is still home to many excellent pottery manufacturers, producing high quality wares for discriminating buyers. Many fine artists, ceramic sculptors and potters also choose to live in the area and create their art works. The region is known as a global center for the production of pottery and ceramic arts.
Home of the Hocking College Decorative Arts Program
Designed to revive the craft of Art Pottery, the Hocking College Decorative Ceramic Arts program (insert link for program) is a unique blend of courses including offerings in slip casting, glaze and firing technologies, introduction to the potter's wheel, mold making, and design and decoration techniques. The program can lead to a certificate in Decorative Ceramic Arts or be applied to an Associate Degree in Industrial Ceramic Technology.
For more information about the National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center call 740-697-7021 or visit http://www.ceramiccenter.org.
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