New England splint basket, $29,900.

The Ceramic Art of George Ohr in California

OAKLAND CALIF. – From September 7 to October 22 the Mills College Art Museum will present the first California exhibition of the work of George E. Ohr (1857-1918).

Ohr is considered by many to be America’s greatest ceramic artist of the Arts and Crafts era. The 35 objects included represent the entire range of Ohr’s production, from grand ceremonial pieces made for international expositions to novelty rdf_Descriptions intended for tourists as vacation souvenirs of Biloxi, Miss.

On Sunday, September 24, the museum will hold a panel discussion on Ohr by four experts who know his work well. Garth Clark and Eugene Hecht are authors of the monograph on Ohr entitle The Mad Potter of Biloxi; Martin Shack, a special consultant on the book, is one of the earliest and most enthusiastic collectors of Ohr’s work; Ron Nagle is a well-known contemporary ceramic sculptor. The panel members will speak informally on Ohr’s life and work with audience participation and questions welcome.

The museum is at 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm and Sunday 12 to 4 pm. Information, 510/430-2164.