#howard kottler

[soundgrammar]

Howard Kottler, Waiting for Master, 1986, earthenware, paint, simulated gold leaf, and applied decals, overall: 37 3⁄4 x 16 x 26 in. (95.9 x 40.6 x 66.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Howard Kottler Testamentary Trust, 1991.194.1A-C

[clevelandmuseumarchivist]

We’ve adopted a pet!

This adorable Cat, by Howard Kottler, won first prize for ceramic sculpture in the 1956 May Show. This little piece marked a watershed in the exhibition’s history. Up to this time, artists were encouraged to offer multiples of objects for sale. It was the museum’s way of supporting their work. Everyone wanted a Cat of their own, and at $5 it was affordable for many May Show attendees. However, after receiving nearly 200 orders, Kottler became so frustrated he smashed the mold. The museum determined that the exhibition should feature unique works of art and revamped the scope of the show. Cat was recently donated to the archives by a benefactor who also donated records of the Kokoon Arts Club and the Cleveland Society of Artists.

[elanormcinerney]

Howard Kottler | Set of Four Dinner Plates American Gothic, 1972 | at Seattle Art Museum

personal possession