The Corsaw Collection of Functional
American Ceramics was established in 1986, before there was
a Museum in Alfred. Roger Corsaw (AU '35) believed that such
a collection at his alma mater would serve as an inspiration
for the students and faculty at Alfred. It could be further
stated the collection has served as a catalyst for the formal
establishment of the International Museum of Ceramic Art at
Alfred.
Val
Cushing, American, b. 1931, soup tureen with 8 bowls, stoneware,
glazed. H:11" D"13-3/4" Museum Purchase, 1997.116.
Roger
Corsaw, American, b. 1913, lidded jar, ca. 1971. H:15" D:9"
Gift of the Artist, 1990.4.
While the Collection is all about function,
the guidelines establishing the Collection noted desirable pieces
acquired for the Collection would "emphasize creative solutions in
form, surface enrichment, unique glaze quality, and a mastery of craftsmanship
rather than strict function." Roger felt the need to establish a collection
of functional American ceramics because he believed "that the direction
ceramics was taking by many potters, was getting away from the functional
approach and gaining momentum."
The
Corsaw Collection is comprised of more than 250 pieces, a portion
donated by Roger Corsaw or the maker, or donated by others, and
a portion purchased by formal Committee specifically for this Collection.
A partial listing of the Corsaw Collection includes representative
pieces by ceramic artists such as Charles Fergus Binns, Charles
Harder, David Shaner, Robert Turner, Dan Rhodes, Val Cushing, Paul
Soldner, Ellen Shankin, Ken Ferguson, Harrison McIntosh, Mark Burns,
Howard Kottler, Bruce Winn, Karen Karnes, Vivika and Otto Heino,
and Hallcraft dinnerware designed by Eva Zeisel, to name just a
few. More than 75 pieces have been selected from the Collection
to be on display in the Museum during this special exhibition.
Bruce Winn, American, 20th
century, cup and saucer, 1992. H: 3-1/4" D:5-1/2" Museum Purchase,
1992.148.
