Red Wing citizens are preparing to paint a wing on the grain elevators facing the Mississippi River. Help select the perfect wing:

CLICK TO VOTE!

Be sure to click for image number ONE to get the Red Wing Pottery wing on the grain elevator.

Tatankamani, the man that the white explorers called Chief Red Wing, was a prominent military leader in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. One of his village sites became the city called Red Wing.
1. Red Wing Pottery Red Wing’s location on the Mississippi River made it an important grain town. As a result of the grain industry’s success, Red Wing was ideally located for the pottery industry to grow. Red Wing Pottery, stamped with a wing, was the largest of its kind in the United States in the early 1900s. 2. Red Wing Shoe Company Red Wing Shoe Co., today an international brand, also uses a red wing logo. Two manufacturing facilities and the Red Wing Shoe Museum remain in Red Wing. Since its beginning in 1905, Red Wing Shoe Co. has been known for making “work shoes for working people.” Local boots continue to be worn by people involved in farming, ranching, logging, mining, blacksmithing, railroading and construction. 3. Red Wing Construction During one of Red Wing Construction Co.’s renovation projects, owner Jeff Frost found the old Red Wing Flour Mill logo and trademarked it for his company. One of the oldest red wing logos in existence, this one dates back to the 1800s. Source: Red Wing REpublican Eagle 2 May 2012

Eva’s Memorial Weekend

Saturday, June 2nd 2012
First Unitarian Church
Brooklyn Heights, NY

12 Noon

Saturday, June 2, the Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 noon at the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn Heights, followed by a coffee reception in the church to which all are invited.  For directions to the church go to Eva Memorial Service.pdf    Eva’s grandchildren will be greeting guests at the doors of the church, and as you sign the guest book, ask in what part of the church members of the Eva Zeisel forum are seating themselves, so that we may greet each other.  
On Saturday evening there will be a no-host dinner at 8:30 at a small local restaurant called Savann.  It features Turkish cuisine, and is located on Amsterdam Avenue between 79^th and 80^th on the west side of the street.  Meals are about $25, including a glass of wine and tip. Some of Eva’s family members will be there, and it will be a good time to continue the day’s conversations and socializing.  Reservations must be made, so be sure to check your rsvp on the listing below.

On Sunday, the 3^rd there will be a casual and optional drop-in with light refreshments at the apartment where Eva lived for many years, at 600 West 115^th Street, Apt. 72, from noon until late afternoon.   This will be a relaxed time to see where Eva lived, and for further schmoozing, but be aware that the apartment has been cleared out for future subletting, and that none of Eva’s designs will be on display.  There will be people in place to admit you to the building and the apartment.  To get to Eva’s home take the #1 subway to the 116^th Street station.  Stay at the back of the subway and get out at the 115^th Street exit.  Also, the Broadway bus #104 goes to 115^th St.  The phone number of the apartment is 212-864-0341.

On Monday, the 4^th Pirco Wolfframm will conduct docent tours of Eva’s country home, beginning at 1:00, to which members of the Eva Zeisel forum are invited.    Jeannie warns that the house is in a state of extreme disorder, as Eva’s possessions are still in boxes stacked here and there, and the living room has been given over to photography for the book.   However, Eva’s designs are still on display in the studio area of the house, and Pirco will be able to take us to the workroom and storage areas, where many of Eva’s prototypes are still being uncovered.  Because of the overcrowding, tours will be for four people at a time, and preference will be given to out-of-town guests.  If there are too many reservations for the tours, those living in the NY area can make arrangements to see the house at another time.  Cameras welcome, of course.  The tours will start rather promptly at 1:00, and will last about half an hour for each group.  Jeannie will have coffee and light refreshments available for those waiting for their tour.  To reach the country house by car, go up the Westside Highway, cross the George Washington Bridge, bear right on to Palisades Parkway North, then go to exit 12.  From there, take an immediate left and then an immediate right.  You will be on Route 45.  In half a minute you will see The Orchards.  Turn right onto South Mountain Road and go two miles to No. 455.  The driveway is on the left.  There really is no practical public transportation to the house, so carpooling is suggested.  If you will be driving and are willing to take passengers, or if you will need transportation,  please let me know at the email address below, and I’ll send along a list of drivers and passengers so that you can contact each other to make arrangements.

BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR PLANNING, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RSVP FOR EACH OF THE EVENTS THAT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.  PLEASE EMAIL JEANNIE AT jeanrichards1@me.com SO THAT SHE WILL HAVE A HEAD COUNT FOR EACH EVENT – EVEN THE MEMORIAL SERVICE ON SATURDAY.   Let her know if you will be at:
*the Memorial Service
*the no-host restaurant dinner on Saturday night
*the drop-in at Eva’s apartment on Sunday afternoon
*the country-house tour on Monday at 1:00

Our best regards,

Pat and Gene

©Eva Zeisel forum

Local Potter Richard Spiller to Demonstrate at Red Wing Collectors Society Convention July 12-14

Red Wing, MN – The Red Wing Collectors Society is pleased to announce that Richard Spiller has accepted an invitation to demonstrate his pottery craft at the 2012 RWCS Convention.

It has been the long-standing tradition of the RWCS Convention to invite a potter or pottery company to demonstrate their craft during the Annual Convention in Red Wing, MN.  Ephraim Pottery, of Lake Mills, Wis. has actively participated in the event for the past five years, but had a schedule conflict for the 2012 Convention.

RWCS Executive Director Stacy Wegner heard about Spiller’s Gas Kiln Firing class being held at the Anderson Center at Tower View in Red Wing. Wegner contacted the Anderson Center inviting Spiller or another potter in residence to attend the Convention, and Spiller accepted.

“We appreciate the commitment of Ephraim Pottery sharing their knowledge and craft with our members and we look forward to having Spiller at the 2012 Convention,” Wegner said.

A resident of rural Wisconsin, Spiller was educated at Western Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. An Emeritus Professor of Art at Eastern Carolina University, Spiller has been a practicing potter and ceramic artist for nearly 50 years. His expertise included kiln building with firing experience from corn cob raku to Tozan Noboigama and firing to cone 10 reduction.

The Red Wing Collectors Society Convention is slated for July 12-14, 2012 at Red Wing High School in Red Wing. The RWCS expects to have more than 1,000 of its members attend the event, which will celebrate the club’s 35^th anniversary.

2012 Convention Schedule

2012 Convention Page

Convention – About the Event

RED WING – In November 2011 the Red Wing Collectors Society’s storage unit was found burglarized and more than 100 pieces of Red Wing blank dinnerware were taken. Thanks to the perseverance of RWCS Executive Director, Stacy Wegner, and help from the Red Wing Police Department, more than 100 pieces were return to the RWCS in December 2011.

The blank plates are used for the annual “Paint your Plate” event in which more than 100 kids get the opportunity to paint on a real Red Wing plate at the RWCS Annual Convention in Red Wing, MN. The KidsView program was started in 1999, offering free education and activities sharing Red Wing, MN pottery history.

Long time RWCS and Elk’s member Steve Vagasky (left) coordinated donation of over 200 pieces of Red Wing Pottery restaurant from the Red Wing Elk’s Club to the RWCS. The donation was given by Exulted Leader Stephanie Riegelman (right) to RWCS executive director Stacy Wegner (center).

When long-time Red Wing Elks member and RWCS member Steve Vagasky heard of the burglary, he remembered seeing some old pottery dinnerware in storage at the Elks that was no longer being used and thought the Society’s kids program would be the perfect home for these items. Vagasky contacted both organizations and arranged the donation.

“I was so excited to notify Sue Jones Tagliapietra and her co-chair Aarika Floyd about the donation.” Wegner said. 

“This generous donation by the Red Wing Elks Club will guarantee that we will be able to continue the KidsView ‘Paint Your Plate’ Program for years to come,” said Tagliapietra.

Like other Elks Lodges across the country, the Red Wing Elks Lodge’s mission is to support the needs of children and veterans. In addition to assisting with projects like this, the Red Wing Elks Lodge helps improve the lives of youth in our area through programs like their scholarships, dictionary project for 3rd graders, hoop shoot, soccer shoot, drug awareness literature, children’s holiday parties, Christmas family project, Christmas food baskets, sending 17 deserving kids to for a week-long camp each summer and much, much more.

The RWCS Convention will be held in Red Wing, MN this summer from July 12-14 and will celebrate the club’s 35^th Anniversary. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org. You can also find the RWCS on Facebook or follow the club on Twitter @RWPottery.

“Learn the Art of Gas Kiln Firing”

Anderson Center Weekend Retreat with Richard Spiller

April 7, 8 & 14, 2012

Saturday, April 7
10 a.m. – Orientation, glaze, load and start firing
6 p.m. – Potluck dinner, lecture and discussion

Sunday, April 8
5 a.m. – Continue firing to 2,350°F

Saturday, April 14
10 a.m. – Unbrick and unload kiln

Overnight guests: $135-$180
Day students: $100

Richard Spiller has been a practicing potter and ceramic artist for nearly 50 years. His expertise includes kiln building with firing experience from corn cob raku to a Tozan Noborigama and firing to cone 10 reduction. 

For more information and registration, please contact the Anderson Center: 651-388-2009 or info@andersoncenter.org or more information on their website.

PDF Download

Plans are in place…. The details are being worked out….The 35th Anniversary Celebration is guaranteed be a fun-filled weekend for everyone. If you haven’t been to Convention in awhile, grab a friend and come to Red Wing in July.

Thursday 2012 Anniversary Special Events

8:00 – 9:30 am – Membership breakfast with Charter Member program

10:30 am Convention Keynote OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Hannes Kuehen, former modeler/designer at Red Wing Pottery from 1956 – 1957

Noon – 35th Anniversary Balloon Release – honoring departed members
Noon – 2:00 pm – “Celebrating our History… 35th years later: Now Playing in the High School Commons Area” A lunch & Learn Session featuring: RWCS Member Ron Linde’s interview with famed Red Wing designer Charles Murphy and the 2000 Convention Keynote Session featuring Town & Country designer Eva Ziesel.

2:30 pm – Shared Interest Groups – Come to the Courtyard Cafe’ and share your favorite piece, talk with members who share your collecting interest area, swap stories, share information. There will be groups for stoneware, dinnerware, and art pottery.

FRIDAY 2012 Anniversary Special Events:

8:30 am Time Capsule Burial – Stop at the North Star Monument located at 1811 Old West Main St. in Red Wing to see this event.

At Red Wing High School:
11:00 – 1:30 35th Anniversary Luncheon “Pig Pickin Birthday Party”
12:00 – 1:00 35th Anniversary Cake Cutting, Sponsored by Hanish Bakery

Crock Fest – Friday night, Central Park
5:00 – 9:00 pm Red Wing Central Park

Full Convention Schedule

We’re planning activities that will bring you an exciting new RWCS Convention experience. Let’s kick off the fun with the FREE Welcome Breakfast on Thursday, July 12, in the Red Wing High School Commons. Be sure to RSVP on your Convention registration form so we know that you’re coming. There will be music and a ceremony honoring RWCS Charter Members. What a great way to reconnect with your Red Wing family!

ATTENTION MEMBERS!

The 2012 Convention will mark the 35th Anniversary of the Red Wing Collectors Society July 12-14 in Red Wing, MN.

Online Registration is now open!  – NO FEES THIS YEAR TO REGISTER ONLINE!

The RWCS Membership Committee is asking each member to fill out 3 short survey questions during online registration. So please take a few moments to answer them for each current member of your household.

The 35th Anniversary Committee is inviting you to two FREE events at the 2012 Convention and we are asking you to tell us how many members in your household will attend these two events via your registration.

Thursday, July 12, 8:00am – 35th Celebration Welcome Breakfast honoring Charter members at High School FREE to registered RWCS Members

Friday, July 13, 5:00pm – Crock Fest – A Celebration of Red Wing pottery for the whole family. Food vendors, music and fun for everyone.

More Celebration activities are in the works so keep checking the website, reading your newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Information on the RWCS Website Events Page includes:

Schedule of Events

• Housing Information
• Auction Submission Form – Deadline May 15th
• Sellers Table Contracts – Deadline May 15th only $45 EACH
• Display Form – Enter your display to win a special commemorative

Keep checking the website for updates and more information as Convention draws closer: education sessions, Kids View, Special Events.

Don’t forget! Register before April 1st and be in the drawing for ONE of the eighteen 2012 Special Commemoratives.

Take Action Today and SAVE!

1. Online: www.RedWingCollectors.org (No FEE to register online)
2. Phone: 800-977-7927 (Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST)
3. Mail: PO BOX 50, Red Wing, MN, 55066 (download form)
4. Fax: 651-388-4042 (download form)

Red Wing Collectors Converge on Des Moines for

7. Although damaged, this 3 gallon Elephant Ear churn still sold for $250 thanks to its upside down “Union Stoneware Co.” oval. Popular among collectors because the oval was incorrectly applied, these oddities are more often found on pieces decorated with the red wing.

DES MOINES – More than 300 Red Wing stoneware and pottery collectors got their winter fix by attending the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) MidWinter GetTogether from Feb. 10-12 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Des Moines, Ia.

Many attendees sold Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms, arriving as early as Wednesday, Feb. 8 to buy and sell stoneware and pottery, but the event officially kicked off with a reception on the evening of Friday, Feb. 10. The theme of this year’s event was a “1920s Red Wing Speakeasy”, and many members participated by dressing in their best gangster and flapper garb.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dave Hallstrom, president of the RWCS Foundation, who discussed the exciting steps the Foundation is taking to purchase a new space for the Red Wing Pottery Museum. The Foundation is purchasing half of the Pottery Place Annex building located in Red Wing’s historic pottery district, with the Red Wing Area Seniors organization purchasing and occupying the other half. The groups are hoping to close on the property this spring; the Foundation hopes to move the museum into the new space later this year.

Also sharing in the keynote presentation was the RWCS 35^th Anniversary Committee, which announced a new slate of activities for this year’s Convention. Scheduled for July 12-14 in Red Wing, Minn., the 35^th Anniversary Convention will attract thousands of collectors to Red Wing for a week of educational meetings, auctions, buying, selling and fun for the whole family. A new event called “Crockfest” will headline this year’s Convention. Slated for 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 13 in Red Wing’s Central Park, the large gathering of RWCS members and local residents will include food, local artists, live music, kids’ activities and live pottery demonstrations. For more information about the RWCS 35^th Anniversary Convention, visit www.redwingcollectors.org or call 800-977-7927.

Several educational sessions followed the keynote address, including Red Wing Dinnerware mysteries and reproductions presented by Larry Roschen and Terry Moe, digging in the Red Wing Pottery Dump by Steve Showers, and digging for stoneware and bottles in old outhouse sites by Mark Wiseman.

More than a dozen kids attended the event with their parents, and they enjoyed participating in the KidsView “Pottery of the Roaring 20s” themed educational activities.

The always popular Saturday Show & Sale was followed by an independently sponsored auction, which was once again conducted by Richard and Todd Houghton of Houghton’s Auction Services of Red Wing, Minn. This year’s auction featured a wide variety of pieces for every collector’s taste, including stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery.

5. Hard to find complete with lid, this Red Wing carousel cookie jar sold for $375.

Two of the top stoneware pieces included a grayline cookie jar and a 5 gallon salt glaze leaf crock front-stamped “Red Wing Stoneware Co.” – each sold for $400. A Bob White water cooler and a “King of Tarts” cookie jar each sold for $425, and a dinnerware test glaze plate brought $260.

The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 in Red Wing, Minn. and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery. There are more than 4,000 members worldwide. The Red Wing Potteries had diverse pottery lines that included stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery. Annual membership costs only $25 and includes six full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year.

Make your plans to attend the 35^th Anniversary Convent

ion in Red Wing this summer from July 12-14. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org. You can also find the RWCS on Facebook or follow the club on Twitter @RWPottery.

3. Auction attendees had the opportunity to buy an instant collection of different-colored ashtrays made to commemorate President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s visit to Red Wing in 1960 to dedicate the Hiawatha Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. Sold individually, the green, blue, yellow, purple and red ashtrays sold for a bargain – only $140 combined.2. This 5 gallon leaf crock front-stamped “Red Wing Stoneware Company” was a good buy at $400.