A Roycroft Renaissance Artisan
Artist Biography
Portrait by Laura Wilder
Mary Philpott, the Designer, is honored to be a member of the Roycrofters At Large Association based in East Aurora New York. For more information about the Roycrofters, please visit www.Ralaweb.com and the wonderful world of Roycroft visit www.Roycrofter.com
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Distinction at the University of Guelph, focusing on Art History and Archeology. This sound foundation naturally led to an interest in clay, and in pottery specifically.
Mary studied at the School of Crafts and
Design and Sheridan College, and went on to a three year Residency at the
Harbourfront Craft Studios in Toronto. After the residency, where Mary developed
her pottery table ware line called Wandering Fire Pottery, a studio was created
in the West End of Toronto. There Mary taught classes and made her own work for
seven years.
The studio moved to Stratford Ontario in 2005, and is located in the Railway Station, a historic Arts and Crafts Prairie style building; a suitable environment for the type of work being created.
The Focus of Wandering Fire Pottery has moved in the last five years towards Tile, and has now expanded and added to its company name Verdant Tile Co. The studio now offers Custom design for fireplaces, hearths, kitchens and bathrooms as well as Limited Production Art Tile and Vessels.
Custom commissions have been for public patrons: the Royal Oak Women’s Association in Royal Oak Michigan commissioned and installed an Oak Tree tile mural for the lintel above the door of their new building in 2004. As well as the City Hall of Grosse Pointe, Michigan: custom Tree Tile Mural in Copper Frame for the Office of Town Hall.
Many private patrons have commissioned tile fireplaces and murals with the imagery of the Chasing Hound and Hares, running oak and acorns, pinecones and needles borders, Narrative and mythological imagery and Art Nouveau Imagery of Sunflowers and Poppies, and Tree of Life Murals.
The tiles are also shown at Art Exhibitions in Canada and the United States. The tiles have won awards at Tile Exhibitions in Minnesota, Toronto and Michigan. At this past years Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition we won Best in Media: Ceramics 2006.
Newest Book available at
www.Amazon.com
You can find Mary's tiles and vessels in various books and magazines published in Canada and through the United States.
All work on this site is protected under Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws, and is the sole property of Verdant Tile Co./Wandering Fire Pottery & Tile Works ©2002-2008. Any reproduction must have written consent by the Author.
Tile Catalogue Vessels Exhibitions Schedule Galleries & Showrooms Ordering Information Contact, Hours & Location
Wholesale Information Artist Biography Links
Hand Carved Art Tiles & Vessels Made in the Spirit and Philosophy of the
Arts & Crafts Movement.