Schwenk Pottery

If you live in the Okanagan Valley, and you love pottery, then you know all about Jay Cryderman. His work shows up often, and many people own pieces that were received as wedding gifts or Mother's Day presents. So why don't we see Schwenk pottery in the same way? After all, they lived and worked at the base of Munson Mountain!

In 1954, orchardists and spouses, Adolf and Louise Schwenk faced financial hardship when a late-winter cold snap devastated their cherry crop for the year. Searching for a new source of income, Louise attended a pottery class taught by influential travelling instructor Reg Dixon, who spent his summers driving throughout British Columbia with a kiln and a wheel in the back of his station wagon, offering lessons wherever there was interest. 

Louise proved to be a natural potter and quickly developed a passion for the medium. The following year, Louise and Adolf - who was already an accomplished painter - attended the Vancouver School of Art together. 

Returning to their little log cabin at the base of Munson Mountain near Penticton, they established a pottery using local clay. Their partnership was a natural one: Louise threw the forms while Adolf applied his artistic talents to the mixing of glazes and decoration. Together they quickly built a successful studio practice, producing distinctive work that was exhibited all across Canada. There received praise, recognition and many awards. 

In 1966, the couple was awarded a Senior Fellowship Award by the Canada Council for a year of study in Europe. Tragically, while visiting the Leach Pottery in Devon, England, Louise died suddenly, bringing their promising collaboration to an abrupt end. She was only 66. Although their pottery career lasted only a decade, the Schwenks produced an impressive body of work that remains highly regarded today. One cannot help but wonder how their art might have evolved had they been able to complete their European studies.

So there it is, wildly talented, but without Louise, Adolph had lost his spark. He tried to carry on with the help of another local potter, Francis Hatfield of Naramata, but Adolf died a mere two years after Louise at age 72.

All works by the Schwenks were produced between 1956 and 1966 and so they are somewhat less available than their contemporaries, and as a result highly collectible. 

Louise Schwenk (1900-1966)
Adolf Schwenk (1896-1968)

*Note: The little log cabin where the Schwenks lived and produced their pottery at the base of Munson Mountain is still standing, and today is rented out as a rustic B&B. An article featuring the Schwenks is framed and hanging on the wall.

The set of mugs in the 4th Meridian June auction are not in perfect condition, although only one of the  pieces has significant chips around the rim. However, they do represent the resilience of a couple of orchardists who threw themselves into a new career in their late 50's and excelled at it.