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• Retrospection ~ Retrospection celebrates mid-20th century modern ceramic design and focuses on the details of American production dinnerware--its design, manufacture, and collecting. Although primarily interested in "good design", Retrospection is open for the discussion of all modern 20th century ceramics--from the kitsch to obscure studio pieces. Retrospection may peripherally concern itself with the non-ceramic designs of dinnerware and studio designers. Mid-century modern themes, fashion, and living are topics of frequent discussion. The history of tableware is another area of occassional focus.
• Eva Zeisel Designs Discussion Group ~ Eva Zeisel (1906- ), is one of America's greatest ceramic & industrial designers. Zeisel creates designs that are wonderously innovative and timeless. While her ceramic designs are ergonomic and functional, they often can be playful and even comedic. Each creation is a masterful work of art that interacts with the world around it. It is as if Zeisel breathes life into her forms. When others spoke of "form and function," Zeisel went beyond that to put the "for whom" back into "form" and the "fun" back into "function." This discussion group is interested in everything related to the life & work of Eva Zeisel.
• Royal China ~ This discussion group is for collectors of Royal China (Sebring, Ohio), and is not limited to Currier & Ives patterns. Royal China literally produced hundreds, if not thousands, of unique and interesting patterns on many different shapes. Enjoy the passion of collecting Royal China and discuss many of the new finds & information that is about to reemerge.
• Russel Wright ~ If you haven't heard of Russel & Mary Wright, you've been living under a rock and definitely not Dragon Rock, the Wright's land overlooking the Hudson River. Russel & Mary Wright popularized mid-century modern design in America. This group discusses all of Wright's creations including furniture, spun aluminum, dinnerware, and other home accessories.
• Vernonware ~ Not strictly limited to modern design, this group is focused on collecting pottery and ware produced by Vernon Kilns (Vernon, California) from the 1930's until 1958. Vernon Kilns succeeded the Poxon Pottery. Vernon Kilns produced many wonderful mid-century modern dinnerware patterns. When the company closed its doors in 1958, Metlox Pottery acquired the rights to produce a number of patterns and shapes previously made by Vernon.
• GMCB: Franciscan and Gladding McBean Collectors ~ A very active group discussion on the pottery and artware made by Gladding McBean. Gladding McBean produced everything from sewer pipe to tiles, artware to dinnerware. Perhaps their most famous line of mid-century modern dinnerware, popularized in the 1950s, was Franciscan Starburst.
