The Bauhaus, the most famous art school in history, began in Germany in 1919. Among its studio areas was ceramic art or pottery, where one of the first students was a smart, young French-born woman named Marguerite Friedlander (1896-1985), now known by her married name of Marguerite Wildenhain. In time, she was designated a Master Potter, married Bauhaus potter Franz Wildenhain, designed award-winning porcelain pieces, and, after her dismissal as a teacher for being Jewish, left Holland in advance of its invasion by the Nazis. She immigrated to the US, where she joined an artists' community called Pond Farm in the hills above the redwood trees in northern California. For much of her remaining life, she ran her own pottery school, taught hundreds of gifted students, and secured her reputation as one of the century's most influential teachers, craftspersons and artists. This monumental effort is astonishing in its richness. It was painstakingly brought about through the selfless contributions of dozens of international scholars, artists (many of whom were Marguerite Wildenhain's students), schools, museums and other institutions. Conceived of and compiled by Dean and Geraldine Schwarz (founders of South Bear School), this is a vivid, compelling account—both heartrending and amusing—not only of the life and work of an extraordinary artist and teacher, but also of the historical roots of the European concept of Handwerk; the role of pottery at the early Bauhaus; the establishment of Pond Farm by the Herr family; and the continuing, prospering legacy of the Bauhaus pottery tradition in such diverse places as (in Germany) Dornburg and Halle, and (in the US) Decorah, Iowa (South Bear), Fairbanks, Alaska (North Bear) and Spring Green, Wisconsin (Adamah). This is a phenomenal archive of more than 800 Bauhaus-related images, both historic and contemporary, interwoven with essays, memoirs, diaries, letters, interviews and other candid written texts (often first-person, eyewitness accounts), many of which are published here for the first time.
 
 
Marguerite Wildenhain and the Bauhaus: an eyewitness anthology More than ten years in the making, this massive 770-page, full-color anthology is comprised of texts and artworks by Marguerite Wildenhain, her family, former students, associates, art historians and other scholars. Help spread the word about this book. Forward this page to interested friends, or link it to your own blog or website. edited by Dean and Geraldine Schwarz Designed by Roy R. Behrens. Published by South Bear Press (in stock, shipping now). 11 x 8.5 in. 770 pages. 837 illustrations (402 bxw, 435 color). ISBN 978-0-9761381-2-9 (clothbound, $75). Library of Congress Number 2006902559.
 
This book can be ordered directly (by check or money order) from South Bear Press, 2248 South Bear Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101 USA. List price is $75 (clothbound), plus $10 per copy for shipping and handling (in the US) by USPS Media Mail. Iowa residents add 7% sales tax. For foreign order shipping costs or other questions, inquire at <dschwarz50@hotmail.com>.mailto:dschwarz50@hotmail.comshapeimage_8_link_0
A book about the life and work of a French-born Master Potter, trained at the Bauhaus, who became one of the century’s most influential teachers, craftspersons and artists Click here to see more pages from this book from American Craft Magazine: “Those wishing to reconstruct both the European milieu that shaped Wildenhain’s work and its fruition on American soil, will find an embarrassment of riches in [Marguerite Wildenhain and the Bauhaus]. “ —Beverly Sanders, Senior Editor from Ceramics Monthly: “This massive book provides an in-depth look at the life of potter Marguerite Wildenhain… [it] is a copious archive of resources, many of which are published here for the first time.” Praise for this astonishing book— This book has been chosen by the blog Design Observer as a Recommended Book of 2008. • About South Bear Press • Marguerite Wildenhain and the Bauhaus • Other Wildenhain books • Our Natural Treasure: Genevieve Kroshus • Packin’ Cats for the Arrr-meee • About South Bear School