Preserving Pewabic for Generations to Come
As good stewards, one of our greatest responsibilities is caring for Pewabic’s historic campus so that it can continue to serve artists, students, visitors, and our community for generations to come. This month, that stewardship will take an important step forward.
Beginning Monday, September 14, 2026, Pewabic’s historic studio building will undergo essential renovations to its iconic terracotta roof. The project is expected to continue through November, with completion anticipated near the end of the month.
Throughout the renovation, Pewabic plans to remain open to the public during regular hours. Scaffolding and other protective measures will be installed around the building to help ensure the safety of visitors, staff, students, and artists while work is underway overhead. We will provide updates on our website and social media if unforeseen circumstances arise that require us to close or limit hours.
While a roof replacement may not be the most creative part of Pewabic’s work, maintaining the building that houses that work is essential to our mission. The roof restoration is the first in a sequence of critical infrastructure improvements planned for other working spaces across the campus.
“Our National Historic Landmark building is one of our greatest assets and a centerpiece of the visitor experience, and maintaining and restoring it is an important part of being good stewards of Pewabic’s legacy. This project will help ensure that the Pottery continues to serve our community for generations to come.”
– Executive Director, Jim Leija
Photo of the National Historic Landmark Pottery roof by EE Berger Photo
A Building With a History of Making
Pewabic’s historic studio was constructed in 1907 by renowned Detroit architect William Buck Stratton. More than a century later, it remains a place of active ceramic production, artistic experimentation, and education.
That continuity is part of what makes Pewabic unique. The studio was designed as a working pottery, and it continues to function as one today. Artists make ceramics here. Students learn here. Visitors come through the doors to experience Pewabic’s history and contemporary work. The building itself is part of the story.
“One of the remarkable things about Pewabic is that our historic building is still being used for the purpose it was designed for in 1907. Maintaining that continuity is an important part of preserving Pewabic's history and ensuring it remains a meaningful part of our community for generations to come.”
- Education Director and Archivist, Annie Dennis
Preserving a historic building isn't simply about maintaining its appearance. It means making thoughtful investments in the infrastructure that keeps the building a safe, active, and accessible place for the people who use it every day.
Pewabic Pottery facade by EE Berger Photo
Responsible Stewardship Takes a Community
Keeping a historic, working pottery operating for more than a century takes more than terracotta tiles, creativity, and clay. It takes a community. Thanks to the generous support of our members, donors, foundations, visitors, beloved students, and friends, Pewabic has been able to undertake numerous improvements to our historic campus in recent years.
These projects include the recent painting of our recognizable chimney by artists Kelly Golden and Sadie Heisler, repairs to our 1912 clay mixer, the addition of architectural tile installations in two bathrooms within the historic building, and the replacement of our largest production kiln, led by Production Supervisor Brett Gray.
Each project serves a different purpose, but together they help ensure that Pewabic can continue doing what it has done for generations: making, teaching, gathering, and connecting people through the art of ceramics. The upcoming roof restoration is another investment in that future.
The final stages of chimney painting by Kelly Golden and Sadie Heisler
What to Expect
We know that construction can change the experience of visiting a historic site, and we appreciate your patience as this important work gets underway.
Our goal is to keep Pewabic open throughout the roof replacement season, with regular public hours continuing as scheduled. You may notice scaffolding around portions of the historic studio building and changes to how you enter or move around the campus while work is in progress.
We'll continue to share updates as the project unfolds, including important visitor information and glimpses behind the scenes through Pewabic News and our social media channels. Most importantly, we hope you'll continue to visit us.
Every ceramic experience and tour taken, every piece of pottery purchased, every exhibition visited, every membership renewed, and every donation made helps support the ongoing care of this extraordinary place.
Help Us Preserve Pewabic
Preserving Pewabic is an ongoing responsibility—one we are proud to share with our community. If you would like to support the historic studio roof restoration and future infrastructure projects, your contribution can help us continue caring for Pewabic for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of the community that makes this work possible. We look forward to keeping you updated as the project progresses.
