Be sure to stop by the CSPM and take a look at our new Spotlight on the Collections case in the main lobby. We’re currently highlighting three pieces of stunning Van Briggle Pottery generously donated by Gary Conover. An avid collector, Gary’s outstanding Van Briggle collection spans a wide range of designs, colors, and eras with pieces dating from the early 1900s to the early 2000s. When asked about his passion for collecting, Gary kindly shared the following:
“My inspiration for starting a Van Briggle Pottery collection began at my grandmother’s home. She displayed 4 pieces, old pots from the 1920’s. I admired the matte turquoise blue and mulberry glazes of the Art Nouveau vases. She reminded me that they were created in Colorado Springs by Artus and Anne Van Briggle and their talented craftsman. She did not tell me about the beautiful but tragic love story between these two artistic pioneers. Fifty years later I would learn the story of Artus’s battle with tuberculosis and Anne’s undying will to keep their legacy going.
My first pieces came as gifts, and I began occasionally shopping at the 21st Street roundhouse location of the retail store and production facility. The days were over when tour buses would stop to see how the famous pottery was crafted, but there was always an abundance of Van Briggle in a rainbow of colors. One time a salesperson happened to be thumbing through a book showing page after page of wonderful VB pottery in shapes and colors that I did not know existed. I went home and searched for Van Briggle on an online auction. I was hooked.
My collection grew to be quite large, some rare and valuable others more modest but all cherished. Those 4 vases that my grandmother displayed? My mom was clearing out her house upon her death and she wrote asking f I wanted them. I told her no room for art pottery. If I had only known that many years later, I would become an avid collector. Off they went to Goodwill! I hope they are bringing joy their new collectors.”
Over the past few years, Gary has kindly donated 13 pieces of his prized collection to the museum, allowing us to fill in significant gaps in our world-renowned collection of over 700 objects. For example, Design #145 featuring six crocuses and Design #176 of Spiderwort, both 1904 creations, were previously not represented in our collection. The third piece currently featured in the Spotlight on Collections exhibit, Design #776 of stylized leaves, is an earlier example with a different glaze than a similar bowl in our collection.
As a result, we are both thrilled and extremely grateful for Gary Conover’s generosity. His donation allows us to expand our representation and interpretation of the Van Briggle Pottery story. In the years ahead, we are looking forward to reimagining the Van Briggle Gallery yet again —telling new stories, featuring new collectors and benefactors, and inspiring a new generation of museum visitors to admire and appreciate Van Briggle Pottery.
Leah Davis Witherow, Curator of History
719.385.5649 | Leah.Witherow@coloradosprings.gov