I have to confess that even with all my traveling
around the area, I never actually had been to Pomona.
I thought I had been, but my knowledge was limited to
the bit of Pomona that lies along the 10 Freeway just
to the south of the Fairplex. But there is more! Lots
more!
I was rather surprised on visiting downtown Pomona to
find that there is a fine city there.
The reason for my visit was to look at the American Museum
of Ceramic Art, which is right in the downtown area. "It's
become something of an artists' community around here,"
said Christy Johnson, the director of the museum. When
asked about the age of her particular building she told
me, "It goes back to 1927."
It has a colorful history, too. It used to be a livery
stable, then a car showroom, a restaurant, a pool hall
and a storage place for a pawn shop. Today it houses a
large collection of ceramic art, and running through January
9, 2010, the place is packed with art from one particular
potter, Harrison McIntosh.
I asked Johnson what the true definition of ceramics is,
and I was glad to hear her answer. "It's anything
made of clay," she said. "It can be earthenware,
china, porcelain, but it has to be fired."
Well, AMOCA, as it is known, has lots of all types on
show and a lot more in storage. "We have mostly art
here on display, but we have shown tiles and even dinnerware,"
she added. "We even plan a show devoted to industrial
uses of ceramics, such as factory-produced items."
One thing she told me is that ceramics are even used as
armor for the military.
As for the work of McIntosh, it is extensive. Shining
glass cabinets show work that he has produced in his long
career. His first piece, a small female bust in earthenware,
greets you as you enter the museum - it was done in 1938.
Although he no longer produces his pieces - he is aged
95 - his collection is very varied and even includes some
Japanese pottery that he created during his time working
with a manufacturer of china in Japan.
His shapes are mostly round and asking to be held, but
of course, they are behind glass most of the time. Lots
of information is posted along the walls for those seeking
more information about this interesting art.
McIntosh came to California in the time of the Depression
and it must have been a shock to his family to hear he
wanted at that time to make a living in the art world.
But he persevered and has been hugely successful.
He is one of several artists who have made their home
in the Claremont and Pomona area, and at the time they
began the California style of art was unique - totally
apart from the art being produced on the East Coast.
McIntosh's wife, Marguerite, was instrumental in founding
the Claremont Museum of Art, which houses a very wide-ranging
collection of modern art.
McIntosh was also best friends with the recently deceased
Sam Maloof, who specialized in wood carving of the very
highest standard.
As traffic tears along the twin freeways of the 60 and
the 10, people no doubt are completely unaware of the
center of art that resides between these two thoroughfares.
A stop into AMOCA will give a visitor not only a unique
glimpse of the beautiful art of ceramics but also a look
at the extensive art history of the area.
As I came out of the museum and walked around, it made
me think that there was a lot more here to discover and
enjoy. To use a much overworked expression: "I'll
be back!"
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART
Where: 340 S. Garey Ave., Pomona
Call: 909-865-31446
Web site: ceramicmusuem.org
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