Pewabic Pottery and Motowi Tile Featured on Detroit Public TV's CRAFT IN AMERICA Tonight

At 8:00 P.M. tonight, Craft in America takes its cameras to Detroit, a city that was once the heartbeat of industrial America and today is being revitalized, in part, by artists who are building on the traditions established by previous generations of Detroit artisans.

This rebirth can be seen at Pewabic, founded in 1905, long honored for its museum quality ceramics with a unique iridescent glaze, and now one of only two active turn-of-the-century pottery studios in the country. CELEBRATION focuses on Pewabic's holiday contribution, the creation of its 12 Days of Christmas ornaments that not only decorate Christmas trees throughout the city, but also are sought after by families across the country. Pewabic's potters and artists are well aware of their importance to Detroit. Chris Mayse, kiln technician at the studio, says, "I think Detroit is currently at a turning point for young artists, much like Berlin was, where inexpensive space and materials breed new art which, with any luck, can revitalize this city."

Founded by innovative ceramist Mary Chase Perry Stratton and designated as a National Historic Landmark, Pewabic is a non-profit pottery and education center that celebrates artists of all ages and skill levels. It includes working pottery, museum, archive and exhibition programs. For more information, visit www.pewabic.org.

Later in the show, the holidays are met with abundant creative energy at Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor. Designer and owner Nawal Motawi collaborates with Yoshiko Yamamoto to create a special holiday tile. After learning her craft at Pewabic, Natal began producing tiles 23 years ago in a garage studio and today designs and fabricates her colorful signature raised-line tiles for national distribution in a state-of-the-art production facility. For more information, visit www.motawi.com.

It will definitely be a special night on Detroit Public TV as we introduce the nation to the great artistry and talent of Detroit. Don't miss it.