Art Education Professor Kathleen Keys recently published an extended exhibition review article titled “Unearthed: The NEHMA Ceramics Collection & The Woman Behind It” in the Australian journal Ceramics: Art + Perception. Keys’ summary of the exhibition follows:
Unearthed: The NEHMA Ceramics Collection & The Woman Behind It celebrated the legacy of Nora Eccles Harrison, a pioneering figure in ceramic arts, and showcased 292 works from the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art’s extensive collection of 1,500 ceramic pieces. The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art is an accredited academic art museum focused on modern and contemporary art at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Spanning August 30, 2022, to April 22, 2024, the exhibition highlighted Nora’s role as a patron, collector and advocate for ceramic arts in the American West. Through a chronological exploration of ceramics from pre-20th century Native American pottery to contemporary works, the exhibition traced the evolution of ceramic traditions and innovations while contextualizing the interconnectedness of artists, educators, and cultural influences.
Nora’s impact on ceramics extended beyond her collection, as she and her husband endowed the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art with 400 works and funding to support exhibitions, acquisitions, and scholarships. Unearthed illustrated her dedication through works by influential artists like Maria Martinez, Viola Frey, and Marguerite Wildenhain while addressing the cultural and educational lineage within ceramics. Curated by Katie Lee-Koven and Billie Sessions, the exhibition re-envisioned ceramics history, spotlighting women educators and Native American artists, and delving into the transition from production pottery to studio ceramics and the rise of postmodernist influences.
The exhibition culminated in a reflection on contemporary ceramics’ embrace of global ideas, experimental forms, and social commentary, as seen in pieces by artists like Patti Warashina and Malcolm Mobutu Smith. Unearthed not only honored Nora’s enduring legacy but also underscored the vital role of ceramics in art history and cultural dialogue. The exhibition lives on through a 360-degree virtual tour and an extensive catalog, ensuring Nora’s contributions and the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art’s remarkable collection remain accessible to future generations.