Skip to main content
Michigan State University
Stories

Where to find Pewabic pottery across MSU’s campus

Across Michigan State University’s campus, you can see tiles from one of the oldest operating pottery studios in the country and one that is special to Michigan.

Pewabic and MSU have a long-standing relationship dating back 100 years. Today, you can catch Pewabic tiles and pottery in various places including on fireplaces in the MSU Union and its signature blue glaze on the Sculpture of “Children Reading and Fish Water Spout” at the north entrance of Williams Hall.

Pewabic has a strong dedication to education and passing down the art of pottery, according to its website. Co-founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton founded multiple ceramics education programs at colleges and universities.

Pewabic specializes in handcrafted pottery and tiles and has been operating since 1903 when founded by Stratton and Horace Caulkins in Detroit. Throughout the years, Pewabic has created various tiles to celebrate MSU, including ornaments and tiles with the Spartan helmet.

Below are some of the art pieces displayed and where you can find them across campus.

All photos by Derrick L. Turner.

Williams Hall north entrance — ‘Children Reading and Fish Waterspout’

A blue-glazed statue of three children kneeling and leaning against each other. The child in the middle holds an open book in her lap.
A large wall made out of stones, with a blue sculpture of three children sits on top. In the center of the wall is a stele with a blue facet. Behind the wall a large brick building with windows can be seen.

Pewabic’s signature K4 blue glaze was used on “Sculpture of Children Reading and Fish Waterspout,” which can be found at the Williams Hall north entrance. The sculpture was created by Clivia Calder Morrison in 1938.

Fireplace in Williams Hall

A large fireplace with large green tiles and smaller colorful tiles, is centered in a wooden paneled wall. The inside of the fireplace is lined with thing rectangular brown tiles.

This Great Depression-era Pewabic pottery artwork crowns the fireplaces in Williams Hall. The piece was commissioned by Flint Mosaic and Terrazzo Inc., sculpted by Cliva Calder Morrison and glazed by Mary Chase Stratton.

A number of small colorful tiles are arranged in the shape of a square. They are of various shapes and colors, arranged with a detailed tile in the center.

Closer inspection reveals a plethora of colorful glazes and lovingly crafted details on a corner tile.

Cowles House — Beaumont Tower mural

A colorful tile mosaic is displayed on a white wall. The mosaic shows a natural scene with wheat and a large tree in the background. In the foreground is a bell tower and above it a large sun with beams of yellow shooting out from the center.
A close-up of a tile mosaic. On some of the tiles are stalks of corn, others make up a green tree. The top of a bell tower is made up of white, brown, and green tiles.
A close-up of part of a mosaic. Green, blue, and brown tiles are arranged depicting roots of a tree growing into the earth. The brown tiles that make up the roots have texture and lines that are meant to look like tree bark.

A Pewabic tile mural depicting the sun shining brightly above Beaumont Tower is located in Cowles House. One of the oldest buildings on campus, the house is a site for important university receptions and social functions and is still the official presidential residence.

Kedzie Hall

The top of a brick building can be seen against the outline of a clear blue sky. The building is made up of red and brown bricks with designs on the outer corner edge of the highest point. Inlaid into the brick are cement crests with colorful tiles on the inside of the shield-shape.
A close up of a stone shield with colorful Pewabic tiles arranged in the center. The shield sits atop an open book, with etchings of lines, depicting writing.

A stone shield with Pewabic tile installed can be seen on Kedzie Hall.

By: Maggie Carstensen, originally published by MSUToday.

MORE STORIES

Three women stand together on a stage. The woman on the left wears a maroon blazer and trousers with a gold blouse. The woman in the center wears a cream-colored 19th-century period dress. The woman on the right wears a black floral blouse and black trousers. They are positioned in front of a blue projected backdrop.MSU Alum Sandra Seaton Reclaims History and Voice in World Premiere of ‘Sally: A Solo Play’
Wharton Center for Performing Arts celebrates the world premiere of Sally: A Solo Play, as both a creative milestone and a homecoming
A person in a long dress stands in a dim gallery space, interacting with a digital art installation. A ring light on a stand faces them, while large projections of the person's face cover the walls.Internationally renowned artists begin winter residencies at MSU
Carl Craig and Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm will develop projects linking creative work with scientific inquiry
A performer sits cross-legged at center stage with palms raised upward, illuminated by cool blue lighting and circular projections. Two dancers stand behind holding flowing blue fabric.From Seed to Stage: MSU Department of Theatre Production Draws Inspiration from Historic Beal Experiment
"Echoes from the Banks of the Red Cedar" translates scientific inquiry into live performance
We want to hear from you.
Share your Story