Rocky River Public Library > Programs and events

For nearly 12 years the Cowan Pottery Museum at Rocky River Public Library has been privileged to enjoy the dedicated support of the Cowan Pottery Museum Associates (CPMA), an independent non-profit organization that is affiliated with the museum and library. The Associates’ website, www.cowanpottery.org, contains detailed information and photos concerning Cowan Pottery, the artists, and Cowan Pottery marks. This website also contains membership information, an online store, news about events, information about the CPMA scholarship program, and links to other art pottery sites. Over the years the CPMA has contributed numerous pieces to the museum and held fundraisers to assist in its support.

In addition, Rocky River Public Library‘s print and online sources contain a wealth of information about American art pottery (including Cowan), ceramics, collecting, and antiques. As Les Roberts’ famous detective, Milan Jacovich, learned in The Duke of Cleveland, Rocky River Public Library has a “state of the art collection of materials on ceramics and porcelain, the best in greater Cleveland
(p. 166)!” Please click on the following link to find a selected list of print and online sources.

VIKTOR SCHRECKENGOST, 6/26/1906 – 1/26/2008: COWAN POTTER AND “AMERICAN DA VINCI”

The art world lost an all-around genius, skilled artist in many media, inventor, industrial designer, and true gentleman when the beloved Viktor Schreckengost died this past January 26. This “American DaVinci” of course belongs to the world. But Viktor did spend a small part of his early career with the Cowan Pottery Studio, where he created his celebrated Jazz Bowl. He was the last surviving potter associated with the Cowan Pottery Studio. Viktor never forgot his early roots at the Studio, and he was present at the opening of the Cowan Pottery Museum in 1978. In addition, he attended most of the Cowan Pottery Symposia held at the library, including the 2007 Symposium last May. Viktor’s obituary appeared not only on the front page of the Plain Dealer, but also in the Associated Press, the New York Sun, the Washington Post, and USA Today. Click on the following link to read some of these published obituaries and tributes: http://www.viktorschreckengost.org/. Also, be sure to stop by the museum (on the main floor of Rocky River Public Library) and view the Jazz Bowl, whish is now surrounded by several other Schreckengost works. In addition, the table-top display case across from the public elevator on the first floor contains all of Viktor’s famous sport plaques. His whimsical pen and ink drawing, The Elephant, hangs nearby.

RETURN OF THE EGYPTIAN MAIDENS TILE MURAL

Thanks to funds raised by the Cowan Pottery Museum Associates’ recent benefit and the support of the library’s board of trustees, the restoration of the Egyptian Maidens tile mural has been completed and the piece was reinstalled at the library on February 20. Be sure to stop by and examine this stunning example of the work of Elsa Vick Shaw, who designed this mural for the Cowan Pottery Studio in 1930 (at the same time that she completed the mural paintings for the Grand Foyer of Severance Hall, home of The Cleveland Orchestra). Since only five copies were made of this tile mural, it is a rare piece.

The photo at right shows this exquisite mural on the day it was re-hung at Rocky
River Public Library. It is located on a wall close to the main entrance, near the circulation department’s book drop and across from the Cowan Pottery Museum’s introductory display case. Conservation treatment measures included replacement of missing pieces, in-painting, and creation of a new backing. The Egyptian Maidens now looks better than ever, and we are delighted to have this unique piece of Cowan back home and on public view! This restoration project was part of the Cowan Pottery Museum’s 30th anniversary celebration.

On Sunday afternoon, February 24, Rocky River Public Library was rocking with the sound of music, as Ernie Krivda and his Jazz Quartet delighted the audience (and perhaps the entire building) with two full sets of marvelous jazz. Cowan Pottery was a product of the Jazz Age, and its popularity also coincided with the opening of Rocky River Public Library in 1928. One of the museum’s signature pieces is Viktor Schreckengost’s Jazz Bowl. Viktor himself was a jazz saxophonist who performed with local bands. Thus it seemed appropriate to celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary with a concert of live jazz music, and a special Jazz Bowl birthday cake, as seen in the photos below.

COWAN POTTERY MUSEUM DISPLAYS

Two of the display cases in the Grand Reading Room feature exhibits on the works of R. Guy Cowan and Waylande D. Gregory. The other two cases contain exhibits on the seasonal colors of Cowan and the Cowan glaze known as Oriental Red. If you're looking for the famous Jazz Bowl by Viktor Schreckengost, it is located in the mirror case in the alcove off the Grand Reading Room, along with other cases that highlight the distinctive glazes of Cowan Pottery. In addition, one of the cases in the alcove shows fine examples of hand-decorated Cowan Pottery. An exhibit celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Cowan Pottery Museum may be found in one of the smaller display cases in the hallway between the Grand Reading Room and the Teen Room (near the Administration offices).

2008 COWAN POTTERY SYMPOSIUM

Saturday, May 10, 2008 is the date of our 18th annual symposium, which is open to the public and especially to all collectors, Cowan enthusiasts, and local history buffs. This all-day event will feature speakers and forums, continental breakfast, a catered lunch, annual meeting of the Cowan Pottery Museum Associates, and a dinner offsite. The only charge is to cover meals. There is no charge for attending programs only. The 2007 Symposium (held less than a month after the completion of the library's renovation) was attended by over 50 people, including the legendary Viktor Schreckengost. A photo below from the 2007 Symposium shows Rocky River Library Director John Lonsak welcoming the group. Plan on joining us this coming spring 2008, when we will have presentations on Cowan artist Frank Wilcox and on a year-long Cowan Pottery project (including a video) conducted by the gifted second/third grade class at Grant School in Lakewood, and a discussion of the restoration of the Egyptian Maidens! Click here to view the Symposium flyer. You may register for this event by printing the flyer and returning the bottom portion to the address noted.

Mark your calendars now for the upcoming Cowan Film Festival dates featuring classic Hollywood films:

All films are shown in the library’s air-conditioned auditorium, starting at 7:00 pm sharp, and feature fresh popcorn! See you at the movies.

The Cowan Pottery Museum at Rocky River Public Library is the largest publicly owned collection of Cowan Pottery in the world! It is located within the library at 1600 Hampton Rd., Rocky River, Ohio. This museum, with holdings of 1200 items, preserves and displays the ceramic works of R. Guy Cowan and fellow artists who strove to produce both art pottery and commercial wares. Cowan, himself a ceramics engineer, teacher, designer and artist, utilized the talents of such artists and designers as Alexander Blazys, Paul Bogatay, Waylande Gregory, Edris Eckhardt, Margaret Postgate, Thelma Frazier Winter, Frank Wilcox, Viktor Schreckengost, and others.

The Cowan Pottery Studio (also known as the Cleveland Pottery and Tile Company in its early days) existed from 1913 to 1917 in Lakewood, Ohio, and from 1920 to 1931 in Rocky River, Ohio. The studio produced unique art works as well as commercial items such as vases, bowls, bookends, candlesticks and lamps, all with unique and colorful glazes. Cowan Pottery’s outstanding ceramic sculptures were widely acclaimed and won local and national awards. By the end of the 1920s, the Cowan Pottery Studio produced 175,000 pieces annually that were sold in showrooms across the country including in Rocky River (on the eastern end of Lake Road).

The refurbished Cowan Pottery Museum came about as part of Rocky River Library’s 2006/07 renovation project. The Museum is now a cohesive, centrally located part of the library and may be found in the Grand Reading Room on the first floor. It includes dark oak display cases (four large cases and 11 smaller ones) that are brand new and feature dramatic lighting to enhance our unique and distinctive collection. The centerpiece of the collection, Viktor Schreckengost's "Jazz Bowl," is now beautifully displayed in a case with mirrors on three sides so that the viewer may examine the design of the entire bowl. Seven smaller cases line the passageway between the Browsing Room and the Teen Room. A display case in the library’s entrance lobby contains introductory material about the museum as well as several larger pieces from the collection. In addition, a large double display case is located on the library’s Lower Level near the public elevator. Behind the scenes, the museum also includes a storage room and a modest archive containing some of R. Guy Cowan’s work notes, correspondence, and manuscripts. At any given time, about 40% of the collection is on display. For further information or to schedule a tour, please contact the museum's curator, Carol Jacobs, at 440-333-7610, ext. 3763 or by email at c.jacobs@rrpl.org.

Cowan Alcove in Grand Reading Room, featuring
The Jazz Bowl by Viktor Schreckengost, April 2007

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