Pottery seminar at Black Mountain College in 1952
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During October 15–29, 1952, a pottery seminar was held at Black Mountain College near Asheville, North Carolina, USA.[1][2][3][4] This seminal event commingled Eastern and Western pottery traditions and philosophies, influencing the work of younger participants and the careers of later prominent potters. Its impact has been described as "a turning point in the modern ceramic movement".[5]
College faculty[6] Karen Karnes and David Weinrib co-organized and led the event.[5] Bauhaus-trained Marguerite Wildenhain traveled from her California studio at Pond Farm to be the keynote lecturer and demonstrator.[3] Other prominent participants were Bernard Leach, Shoji Hamada, and Soetsu Yanagi. Many younger, less established potters participated including Karl Martz, and Elizabeth Crawford (pottery teacher at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts).[1][2][3][7]
The October 1952 pottery seminar was followed by a summer pottery workshop in 1953, where the featured presenters were Peter Voulkos, Warren MacKenzie, and Daniel Rhodes.[8] One notable participant was M. C. Richards.
Despite her leadership role in these seminars, Karnes had neither title nor salary at Black Mountain College.[5][9][10] In America in the 1950s, contributions of wives were commonly taken for granted, while their husbands received the accolades and celebrity.[6][10][9]