“I was appalled by the lack of information about American studio and ceramic artists. In the UK in 2006, I could walk into any thrift shop, pick up an item, hold it in my hand, and find out who made it. In the US, I found so many pieces at auction marked “anonymous,” or “mid-century, while the artists were still alive and working. I needed to change that.”

The Marks Project’s goal from the start was to create, develop and maintain a searchable online database that was indefinitely expandable. It fulfills its original encyclopedic purpose by gathering information on the careers, works and marks of American studio potters, ceramic artists, and artists working in clay from the mid-20th century onward. Each artist is documented by a unique webpage: TMP’s Artist Page. Each page, once established, is a living document and can be enhanced as new data, images, and marks become available.

To provide a primary research platform to assist scholars, collectors and creators in the identification and understanding of American studio potters, ceramic artists and artists working in clay. To celebrate and document their impact on American art history and culture, by documenting their careers, their processes and their identifying marks and/or signatures.

We, the staff and leadership of The Marks Project (TMP), are dedicated to creating paths that lead to a more inclusive, accessible and diverse organization. We must not only diversify our team, (staff, Board of Directors and Advisory Board), but also amplify the voices of Black people, Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ people, women, people with disabilities and broaden the scope of thought and perspectives within our organization and programs.

Communities across the country continue to experience inequality and lack of recognition and understanding as the nation confronts hundreds of years of sustained injustices due to systemic racism, gender inequality and disability discrimination. We aspire to center and raise up the voices of these marginalized and disenfranchised communities and represent the plurality of our society.