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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK...
by catherine bailey and robin petravic
We were recently invited to visit Bartlesville, Oklahoma. While you may never have heard of it, our experience of the town reminded us how much of our own country is overlooked and under-explored.
It's a town of about 30,000, originally developed as the headquarters of Philips Petroleum and, eventually, The Price Tower Arts Center. In 1956 Frank Lloyd Wright built the Price Tower — a cantilevered skyscraper (19 floors) inspired by a lone tree in the forest. The multi-use, tall, slim, richly detailed structure was designed to combine business offices, retail and apartments. This now National Historic Landmark not only changed the horizon of the Oklahoma landscape, but also the world of architecture — serving local, regional and global audiences as an art complex dedicated to art, architecture and design.
The really amazing part is that seven of the Tower's floors function as an inn. We were lucky enough to stay a few nights and we were amazed at how the architecture informs the living experience and vice versa. There is purpose and expression to the forms Frank Lloyd Wright created — they make themselves known to you as you live in and experience the space. In addition to the Price Tower, Bartlesville is also home to many Bruce Goff buildings — have a look at our tour of his architecture.
Equally as interesting is the tower's Arts Center. The current exhibit, which was the purpose of our visit, is "Setting the Table: Designs in Mid-Century Dinnerware". Heath Ceramics is in good company, with the likes of Russel Wright (1905-1976), Eva Zeisel (b. 1906) as well as Oklahoma local Frankoma Pottery and many more. The content of the exhibition illustrates the importance of the era's material culture and design history — our photos of the exhibit.
The other highlight of our trip was a visit to the home of the Frank Sisters. The Frank Sisters (Joniece and Donna) are the daughters of John Frank the founder of Frankoma Pottery (the elder sister Joniece ran the pottery after her father's death). They graciously invited us to see their home during our visit to Bartlesville.
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It's a fantastic example of Bruce Goff's organic architecture, as well as a true collaboration of craft and design between the Franks and Bruce Goff. The entrance is framed with ceramic and glass panels, glazed bricks, custom textured and shaped tile for the fireplace and the floor — all crafted by the Frank family in their factory. Today the sisters have filled the house with a living history of Framkoma pottery, as well as other ceramics and art that they love. This was such a cultural and visual treat we couldn't stop taking pictures.
Book your trip, it's worth the visit and not hard to get to at all — just a 40 minute drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma. More of our photos of the Price Tower.
OPEN STUDIO & VINTAGE SALE
Save the date — our May Open Studio, Vintage Sale & Silent Auction will be held May 2-4. Join us for tours, tile making, bbq and 15% off everything in our Factory Store. Note: Friday is for those who want the discount without the festivities. More information...
SEASONAL COLLECTION
Our Limited Edition Summer pieces are now available online. We have old favorites, along with new glaze techniques in a combination of Cocoa, Fawn & Bright Yellow glazes. And of course, there's the picnic bag, but you already know about that.
FACTORY STORE SPECIAL
Chez Panisse plates and bowls are 20% off the seconds price through the month of April. Discount applies to seconds and in-store purchases only. Come and get 'em.
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