Join us for “University City Ceramics: A Fresh Look,” a six-part online lecture series!

Led by SMCF Executive Director Jonathan Clancy, Ph.D., this series explores Edward Gardner Lewis’ ambitious University City Ceramics project and the pioneering artists he brought together, including Taxile Doat, Adelaide Alsop Robineau, and Frederick Hurten Rhead. Though the project was short-lived, it became a remarkable moment in American ceramics history and helped shape the future of ceramics education.

Session Two: March 21, at 1:00 PM EDT via Zoom
The Supporting Cast: Diffloth, Labierre, and Kathryn Cherry

At University City a two-tier system was in place from day one which dictated the amount of time you were able to dedicate to your own work, versus that which was required for teaching. Emile Diffloth, Eugene Labarrière, and Kathryn Cherry were among the staff that devoted their time almost exclusively to teaching. For Diffloth and Labarierre, this fostered a deep sense of resentment that fanned the flames of jealousy towards Doat and Robineau in particular. So intense was their dislike that they left prior to the end of the first year. For her part, Kathryn Cherry seems to have been the most level-headed of the group. An enourmously talented China Painter, she survived the temperamental Frenchmen, the collapse of the Art Academy, and remained at University City until 1914.

This session will cover the careers of Diffloth and Cherry in particular–Labarierre is more elusive–to explore what brought them to University City, and why their talents were in demand. Tracing Diffloth’s time in Sevres with Optat Millet through his career at Boch Freres in La Louviere, Belgium shows glimpses of a remarkable talent for artistry and chemistry. Similarly, Cherry’s reputation prior to her arrival, and new revelations about her teaching and exhibitions show the degree to which she was the perfect pairing with Robineau.  Significant too were their careers after they departed as they reinforce the lessons drawn from their time in University City and underscore its importance.

A La Carte
Member Price: $30 / session
Non-Member Price: $35 / session

Full Course
Member Price: All 6 sessions for $150 (one session free)
Non-Member Price: All 6 sessions for $210

Registration is required. Once registered and paid, you will receive an email prior to each session with a link to join.

Do you have a scheduling conflict for the live session? You can still enjoy the program. Register and we’ll send you the recording! All paid attendees will be emailed a private link to the session recording when it is available, typically 6-7 days after the live program.

Missed us? You can also register retroactively. If you register for a session that has passed, you’ll receive access to the recording when it is ready.

Haven’t tried a session yet? Each session is planned as a “stand-alone” lecture, so you can take them all or attend the topics that interest you most.