Terra cotta pieces are a specialty of Gladding McBean.
Founded in 1875, the factory supplies clay building items such as roof tile, piazza floor tile and pottery, but is primarily famed for its terra cotta facades which adorn many architectural landmarks such as the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles; the Warner’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.; and Sacramento City Hall.
“They did the terra cotta architectural art on buildings all over the world,” says Library Gallery director Phil Hitchcock.
The display will include drawings and renderings of early building work, photos of craftsmen at work, molds and castings and items from the company’s “bone yard” where spare pieces of some works are kept. The free exhibit runs March 18 through June 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. A reception will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 18.
Pieces from the “bone yard” will be auctioned, and the proceeds will support the education of a homeless youth who was part of last year’s “Children of the Wind” photo exhibit about homeless young people.
For more information, call the gallery at (916) 278-4189. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.