Recently, Newman welcomed the second visual arts exhibition of the school year onto our campus – The Newcomb pottery collection. The pieces on display were created under the Newcomb Enterprise— a program established in 1895 as the United States’ first degree-granting women’s coordinate college.[1] For the next 45 years, the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College supported the Newcomb Enterprise by offering artistic programs ranging from metalwork to jewelry to pottery for women.[2]

Of the works produced, the pottery created under the Newcomb Enterprise quickly became sought-after among collectors across the nation, with many pieces now globally recognized for their historical significance. The vases, teapots, and bowls on display in our gallery display native wildlife and flora of the region, a key feature that led to the works’ recognition among the pottery community.[3]

During the Enterprise’s 45 years, nearly 90 women created the pottery, embroidery, and metal-based works on display at the Newcomb Art Museum at Tulane.[4] Additionally, Newman students inspired by the Newcomb Enterprise will display several of their own pieces in the Newcomb Art Museum during November.[5]

Among the most expensive pieces ever sold include a vase created in 1904 by Marie de Hoa LeBlanc, sold for $169,200 in 2009.[6] At only 13 inches tall, the sale of the piece called great attention from the global Arts and Crafts collector community.[7] When determining the value of these works, early pots in excellent condition with a high degree of detail and glazing are considered more valuable than those in poor condition, of a smaller size, and with less detail.

The pieces currently on display within Newman’s gallery are on loan from the collection of Randy Haynie family, to whom all of us at Newman would like to issue a special thank you.

[1] As cited from the Newman gallery’s description of the pieces and their history

[2] As cited from the Newman gallery

[3] As cited from the Newman gallery

[4] As cited from the Newman gallery

[5] As cited from the Newman gallery

[6] http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2009/07/post_26.html

[7] http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2009/07/post_26.html