The Catalina Island Museum is featuring a tribute to the beautiful, functional, and colorful pottery and decorative tile manufactured exclusively on Catalina Island with the 9th Annual Catalina Pottery and Tile Extravaganza.   The extravaganza includes a special exhibition in the museum's galleries showcasing an extensive display of works made by the Catalina Clay Products division of the Santa Catalina Island Company between 1927 and 1937.   Admission to the special exhibition is included in the Museum's general admission fee.

In only a decade, Catalina Clay Products produced a variety of ceramic ware and decorative tile that achieved a national distribution and reputation.  Today, the pottery and tile is a highly prized collectible, as well as an important part of the Island's history.  Throughout the month of September, the Museum's collection of distinctive Catalina pottery and tile will be featured throughout the galleries, along with many unique and rare pieces from private collections.   The Museum will host a special Members and Collectors Reception on Saturday, September 15th at 6:00pm featuring a private viewing of the Museum's exhibition, wine, hors d'hoeuvres, a special pottery demonstration by artists, Eric & Rose Franco and a book signing by historian and author Carole Coates.  And, don't miss your chance to purchase this year's commemorative reproduction of the Catalina Clay Products beautiful Galleon plate; there are a limited number of plates available in the Museum Store and they are going fast!

Special tile walking tours are also available on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.   Each hour long tour includes a brief introduction to the history of local tile manufacturing, and offers visitors the chance to view many of the wonderful historic and reproduction tile installations throughout downtown Avalon.  Reservations are highly recommended.  Tickets for the tile walking tours are $10 for adults and $8 for children under 16, and include admission to the Museum.

For more information about the Pottery and Tile Extravaganza, or to make reservations for the tile walking tour, call (310) 510-2414 or visit our website.

For more information visit www.CatalinaMuseum.org