Since 2022, two Penn State Abington art faculty have been teaching a collaborative tile making course at the Moravian Pottery and TileWorks, a working history museum in Doylestown. The classes blend art and history by immersing students in the process and philosophy forged by noted designer and tilemaker Henry Mercer. 

Taught by Chris Bonner, associate teaching professor of art, and Yvonne Love, associate professor and chair of the art program, the course is a “down and dirty” hands-on exploration of the history and the production process of artistic tiles. Students develop two major projects, creating their own tile and a mosaic. 

Thirty Abington students have participated in this high-impact, immersive learning experience as of May 2024. The process is enhanced through storytelling, lectures, and through experiential skill building, true to the nature of the Arts and Crafts Movement.    

They explore what, how and why Mercer created the historic site, and they are encouraged to interpret it with a contemporary view of remembrance. 

Since the course was initiated, three students have received Student Engagement Grants from the university to participate in internships, one spoke at Penn State’s Summer Engagement Expo, three gained part-time jobs and internships, and 10 were included in an exhibition of tiles and artifacts from the Tileworks at Abington’s art gallery.

Expanding on the multiyear tilemaking course partnership, Katia McGuirk, the executive director of the TileWorks, proposed a new initiative. Funded by a Commonwealth Campus Undergraduate Community Engaged Research Award.

Abington students are researching and constructing a brick bottle kiln to enhance historical accuracy in tile making. With access to a 1903 brick auger, the bricks the students are building will be added to the museum’s display and showcased at the annual spring tile festival. 

Read more about the ‘Down and Dirty’ collaboration with Moravian Pottery and TileWorks on Penn State Abington’s website.

Unlock Your Creativity: Penn State Abington Students Master Ceramic Tile Making at Historic Museum!