APRIL 30 LECTURE 

A chance meeting in 1937 through the federal Works Progress Administration led Mary Goldsmith and Edwin Scheier to begin a seven-decade long partnership that would place them in the forefront of the American Studio Pottery Movement. Married within the year, the couple began studying Southern pottery tradition, opening their own studio in Glade Spring, Virginia. Almost immediately their pottery won acclaim. (Continued below)

The Piscataqua Decorative Arts Society’s 2013 season will commence on April 30 with the lecture given by Mel Bobick titled “Ed and Mary Scheier, New Hampshire Mid-Century Modern Potters”.  The program will be held at the Tyco Center in the Strawbery Banke Museum, starting at 5:30 pm, and will be receded by refreshments at 5.  The cost to the general public is $10.00, while members are free.  

 In 1940 David R. Campbell, director of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, was instrumental in recruiting the Scheiers to join the faculty of the University of New Hampshire at Durham, Ed as a ceramics teacher and Mary as an Artist-in-Residence. Working there until 1968, the Scheiers produced what are recognized as some of the finest pieces of American ceramics of the 20^th century. The lightness and elegance of Mary’s thrown forms combined with Ed’s glazes and fluid lines of decoration have earned their pottery a place in major museum collections across the country. 

Mel Bobick knew the Scheiers personally and lives in what was once their home, a house designed by David Campbell. He will share stories and insights into their work provide commentary on the documentary film ”Four Hands, One Heart” exploring the Scheiers career (Ken Browne Production & Currier Gallery of Art Film)

And present examples of the Scheier’s pottery. Mr. Bobick, a professor at the University of New Hampshire for over 47 years, taught the hugely popular Arts in Society course, which focused on the meaning and value of art to society. 

Strawbery Banke Museum is located at 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

The Piscataqua Decorative Arts Society is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote original historical research resulting in publication. The primary focus is on the greater Piscataqua region of New Hampshire and Maine with connecting links to Massachusetts and beyond. For more information, check the web site www.pdasociety.org