Maija Grotell?s work developed from low-fired figurative pots to simplified geometric forms in stoneware and porcelain.Her work displays a keen awareness of the natural world. She became a master of simple, thrown pots finishedusing brushed-on, colored slips, glazes and carved surfaces.
Grotell received her initial professional education in Finland at the School of Industrial Art where she studied painting, design and sculpture. After completing this education, she worked for six years with the artist-potter, Alfred William Finch.
In 1927 she immigrated to the United States and began her ceramics studies in a summer-school class taught by Charles Fergus Binns at Alfred University. She settled in New York City, taught at the Henry Street Craft School and independently did research in glazes and Art Deco patterns.
In 1938 Grotell joined Cranbrook as head of the Ceramics Department and, by the time of her retirement in 1966, is credited with reestablishing Cranbrook as a premier clay education program. Among her students were Richard DeVore, Toshiko Takaezu, John Glick and Jeff Schlanger.
Other works by Grotell
Grotell in other collections
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Last updated: April 22, 2026
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