HOWARD PIERCE - Pair of Doves

HOWARD PIERCE - Pair of Doves

Howard Pierce is the founder and artistic creator of a unique Southern California ceramics studio. Today his studio overlooks the town of Joshua Tree, California where Howard continues to produce original designs that have become his trademark for over 45 years.

Born in Chicago, Howard began his artistic training at the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Illinois. He moved to Claremont, California in 1934, where he continued his education at Pomona College. He began producing ceramics in the late 1940’s. Pierce set up a home/studio on Sixth Stree near where Claremont Boulevard is now, he moved to Joshua Tree in 1968 to continue ceramic design and production. Many of Howard’s pieces are now collectors items and Howard is prominent in many books on American Ceramics.

Howard personally handles all aspects of the ceramics—from original sculpture modeling, making of the molds, formulating the clay body and glazes, to the production and firing of the pieces. Each piece an original, hand-crafted American product. Howard continues to focus on porcelain, a high quality ceramic process which includes a single firing at 2150°F.

Since 1968 Howard has created a few larger concrete statues for permanent installations. Many of these creations surround his Joshua Tree home and others are located at public sites through out the high desert. Up to 12 feet high, these pieces hold prominent places in the community.