A Humble Legacy

Upon the centennial of the founding of Leach Pottery, the Craft in America Center is pleased to present an exhibition celebrating the cup as object and the impact of Bernard Leach on studio ceramics.

During the closure of the Craft in America Center, we invite you to explore our virtual exhibition, browse the digital catalog, and look through the image gallery below.

A Humble Legacy is an exhibition of approximately two dozen historic and contemporary cups made by a selection of artists affiliated with Leach Pottery and others who continue in its legacy. Master potters Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada established St. Ives Pottery (Leach Pottery) in Cornwall, England in 1920, and their impact on 20th century ceramics cannot be overstated. Leach’s conception of the artist-potter and his advocacy for studio pottery in England came at a time when industrially-produced ceramics were dominant. His role in communicating Eastern ceramic tradition to the West, had a ripple effect on the global history of contemporary studio ceramics. The utilitarian cups featured in this exhibition speak to Leach’s ideology and outlook. This international exhibition is organized in consultation with former Leach apprentice, Jeff Oestreich, who worked at the pottery from 1969-1971.

For questions and more information about this exhibition or to set-up a virtual walkthrough, please contact us at center @craftinamerica.org

Virtual Exhibition:

Click and drag, or use your arrow keys, to see a 360º view of the virtual space, including tags with object information and images.

Exhibition Catalog:

Craft Capsules Playlist:

Craft in America has paired these short videos of the artworks with audio testimonials of the artists’ statements. Click on the button in the top right to view the entire playlist.