Traveling Newcomb Pottery exhibit hits Miami Beach

Tulanians in South Florida will have their chance to see the latest installation of the Newcomb Pottery exhibition this summer. Opening this Friday (June 12) at Florida International University"s Wolfsonian Museum, Women, Art and Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise is the largest presentation of Newcomb arts and crafts in over 25 years.

The exhibition showcases a striking collection of Newcomb Pottery, metalwork, bookbinding and textiles with text that draws from new scholarship to explore the history of Newcomb Pottery and its importance as a social and artistic experiment.

One of the most significant American art potteries of the 20th century, Newcomb works are a graceful union of form and decoration inspired by flora and fauna of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Each piece is one of a kind — and collectively they create a distinctive Southern art form.

The Newcomb Alumnae Association, The Tulane Club of South Florida and James Stofan, vice president of alumni relations for Tulane University, will host a private wine and cheese reception during the public opening event at 6 p.m. on Friday. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

“Newcomb Pottery is such an important part of the history of Newcomb College and Tulane University. Each piece is an individual work of art but, collectively, they tell a unique story about people, place and art,” Stofan says.

The Wolfsonian is a museum, library and research center that uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design, to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, historical and technological changes that have transformed the world.

This exhibition will run June 12 through Aug. 30, and it is made possible by the generous support of Myrna Daniels, Michelle Diener, and the Jill and Avie Glazer family.

Aidan Smith is external affairs officer for the Newcomb College Institute.