Ceramics / Scripps College

I went on a field trip to Scripps College, Claremont to see their amazing collection of post-war American ceramics. With me were Eric Huff and Tom McMillin (yes the ceramicist)! Kirk Delman, the Collections Manager and Interim Director at the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College gave us the tour.

Tom (left) is a legend in California ceramics and added so much to the experience. Not only did he know many of the artist in the collection, his technical knowledge of glazes and ceramics was a great insight to have. Kirk has been at Scripps for 37 years so he knows the collection better than anyone else. He also knew many of the artists personally and shared some great stories about them. This was a major craft geek experience for me and Eric.

The bulk of the Scripps ceramic collection came from Fred Marer. He was a math teacher at LA City College, so far from a rich guy. He built an amazing collection that began in 1954 when he went to an exhibition at Otis. He amassed about 1500 pieces, with an emphasis on post-war California studio ceramics and the Otis group in particular. There are mind-blowing pieces by Peter Voulkos, John Mason, Ken Price, Ron Nagle, Michael Frimkess, Billy Al Bengston, and Henry Takemoto. Marer purchased most of the works directly from the artists so it a very personal collection. Longtime Scripps ceramics professor Paul Soldner convinced Marer to donate the collection to Scripps.

Now in its 77th year, the Scripps College Ceramic Annual has been an important part of modern ceramics, particularly in California.

In 2019, I went to the 75th Scripps College Ceramic Annual. I never actually posted the photos so this is a good time to do that. Seeing them on display and then seeing them behind the scenes has been really special.

This is where that 1956 Peter Voulkos lives.

An amazing Henry Takemoto.

And here it is when exhibited in 2019.

This is an early piece by Jun Kaneko in the foreground. I thought it was Takemoto at first.

Sculpture "Flag", 1960 by Takemoto, which can been seen poking out of the crate.

A few more Kanekos. Fred Marer and Jun were close friends...

Jun Kaneko with Mary Marer and then with Fred

In 1963 Kaneko arrives in Los Angeles, California, to study painting. He meets Fred and Mary Marer on his first day and stays at their house at 537 North Kenmore Avenue for the remainder of the summer and then for another three months while they are traveling in Europe. Kaneko reorganizes and builds shelves for their extensive ceramics collection. This is his first encounter with contemporary ceramic work, particularly by Californian artists such as Voulkos, Mason, Takemoto, Price, Bengston, Frimkes, Melchart, and Rothman. In his practical undertaking, he becomes excited about, and interested in, working with clay. Fred and Mary Marer, on their return to Los Angeles, continue to invite Kaneko to spend time with them at their home and at their friends’ studios. They also visit museums and go to see movies two or three times a week. Their friendship proceeds like this until 1972, when he moves to New Hampshire to teach.

Later in 1963, Kaneko works with clay for the first time at Scripps College. He is there for a week with Paul Soldner.

Source: Ree and Jun Kaneko Foundation

Platter (with portrait of the artist), 1974 by Jun Kaneko

More Kaneko

Takemoto all wrapped up

On display in 2019

First Kumu, 1959 by Henry Takemoto

I remember this one from the 2014 Best Kept Secret: The Scripps College Ceramic Collection exhibition at AMOCA.

A very early Voulkos, I believe from 1950.

Vase, 1975 by Peter Voulkos

Bullfight, 1957 by Voukos

Kirk told us a story about Millard Sheets complaining to Voulkos about Picasso only painting his plates and not actually making the ceramic portion. This is when they were both teaching at Otis. Voulkos didn't agree with Millard's criticism so he plastered the walls with Picasso posters.

More Voulkos

Eric with Picasso's Eye, 1958 by Voulkos.

Moontan (plate), 1957 by Billy Al Bengston

On the wall in 2019

Where's Cornelius?

Covered Jar, 1971 by Philip G. Cornelius

Magdalena Suarez Frimkess.

They also have quite a few by Michael Frimkess as well.

Jumpin' at the Moon Lodge, 1968 by Michael Frimkess

Perfume Bottle (Bottle with Stopper), 1960 by Ron Nagle

On display in 2019

F. M. Case, 1981 by Marilyn Levine, another Voulkos student.

How much do you want to bet the F.M. stands for Fred Marer?

It's Claremont, of course they have Harrison McIntosh.

It was good to see a few Joel Edwards pots in the collection. Although he was a Voulkos student, these were a recent acquisition and not part of Marer's collection.