Curator for teapots is selected

Mary Douglas has accepted the position of curator of the newly formed Gloria and Sonny Kamm Teapot Foundation.

Located in Sparta, the foundation will be the home of the Kamm’s world-class collection of teapots and tea sets. The strength of the Kamm’s collection is teapots created by contemporary artists, architects and designers, said a news release from organizers. The collection also includes a significant component of antique teapots from every culture beginning in the early 1700’s and a wide variety of novelty and production teapots, the release said.

Douglas will assume responsibilities in January to assemble and catalog the 7,500-plus item collection in preparation for its display at a new museum to be the permanent home of the Kamm Teapot Collection. That museum will be built on a tract of land in Sparta on N.C. 18. Douglas will produce exhibitions and publications about the collection, and assist with forming the educational components of the teapot museum. Gloria and Sonny Kamm commented, “Both of us and our teapots are especially delighted that Mary will bring her knowledge, experience, capabilities and enthusiasm to the collection and the Sparta Teapot Museum.”

Douglas, a North Carolinian, brings a wealth of experience to the position, the release said. She has worked in the museum field for the past seven years, most recently as curator of collections and exhibition at the Southern Highland Craft Guild in Asheville. The 75-year-old guild operates the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center, which includes three exhibition galleries, a craft collection, research library and archives. Previously, Douglas was curator at the new Mint Museum of Craft + Design in Charlotte from 1997 to 2001. She has produced over 50 exhibitions that include Craft Traditions: the Southern Highland Craft Guild Collection, Crafting Identity (McColl Center), Design at Work: the Process Behind Products, Selections from the Allan Chasanoff Ceramic Collection and Harvey K. Littleton Reflections 1946-1994.

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