Description
1970's Peter Deneen Studio Pottery Vase. 7.75" x 5.25" with no damage or wear of<br>any kind.<br><br>Peter Deneen began his lifelong journey with ceramics while studying pottery at<br>Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. During this period he also began attending<br>Marguerite Wildenhain’s Pond Farm School (located in northern California) in<br>1968. Peter went on to earn his M.A. from the University of Iowa in 1971.<br><br>Inspired By Art & History<br>During this time, Peter caught the inspirational fire of the Bauhaus movement of<br>Walter Gropius in Post World War I Germany. The main thrust of the Bauhaus “was<br>to create an environment which would nurture the bond between art, industry and<br>trade through education; to insure the cooperation of industry and artists in<br>the field of mass production.”<br><br>ESTABLISHING DENEEN POTTERY<br><br>In 1972, Peter and Mary Deneen established their first studio and showroom at<br>Park Square Court in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul. Here they began<br>producing hand thrown functional and decorative pottery and dinnerware.<br><br>“Form follows function,” was embedded within their work through the teachings<br>from Marguerite Wildenhain, recalling the Bauhaus lessons she learned from<br>Gerhard Marcks. It was during this time that Mary started to produce more<br>commemorative items and ceramic figures, while launching a “Bear Essentials”<br>line.<br><br>White Picture corner top leftWhite Picture corner top rightWhite Picture corner<br>bottom leftWhite Picture corner bottom rightEarly Days of Deneen Pottery<br>1974<br>PARK SQUARE COURT IN LOWERTOWN<br>•<br>“The Spin of a potter’s wheel brings prosperity, unfettered life-style.”<br>This was the title of the article that ran in a local St. Paul publication<br>around 1974. “Peter Deneen sits at his potter’s wheel, fingers fashioning<br>burnt-cinnamon clay into pots and plates, goblets and candle-holders, tall,<br>corked canisters and small spice bottles.”<br><br>At this time, the Deneens wanted to open retail outlets similar to Pottery Barn,<br>but make all of the products at their Lowertown studio. A favorite quote (of the<br>current office) staff has Peter saying. “We’ll never be more than a handful of<br>people. I’d never get larger than three stores,” says Peter.” “Don’t say<br>‘never,'” interjects Mary.” Wow, how the path has deviated from the plans made<br>in 1974!<br>isshelf
