'Down and dirty' collaboration enhances Abington students' art practice

ABINGTON, Pa. — 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 Bucks County. 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. 

The video embedded below highlights the experiences of the students enrolled in the Spring 2023 course. 

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.

A new collaboration 

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. 

The tile making course and brick project underscore Abington’s and the University's land grant commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. They provides immersive educational experiences, fosters interdisciplinary research, and amplifies the University’s impact on the local community.  

The brick project promises substantial benefits for both students and the wider community. For students: 

• The project offers invaluable hands-on learning experiences through experiments with clay and developing brick molds, enhancing their understanding of material properties and manufacturing processes.  

• Archival research cultivates research skills and provides insights into historical contexts related to brick making, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities. 

• Integrating sustainable techniques not only raises environmental awareness but also equips students with practical, relevant skills. 

• It expands educational opportunities, allowing students to delve deeper into ceramics and brick making. 

For the community:  

• The project preserves cultural practices through historical equipment, contributing to a sense of pride and connection to local heritage.  

• Contributions to museum displays and potential educational outreach activities serve to educate and engage community members, enriching their understanding of their own cultural identity and history. 

The tile making and brick collaborations both are the result of longtime professional relationship between Bonner, Love and McGuirk.

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.