Peggy Beck Evans, Peggy Paver Beck

1903 Born

1987Died Palm Beach, Florida

EDUCATION

—Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

—University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

ca 1932 Three-Year Certificate, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

1937 Summer School, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1937-ca 1970 Studio Potter (dates indicate an active period when Evans' was exhibiting her work)

—1944 Night Faculty, Scholl of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Late 1930s-1940s Shared studio work with Hazel and Vin Hannell, Chesterton and Furnessville, Indiana

1947 Member, Chicago Potters Guild

1951-ca 1970s Ceramics Teacher, Avon Old Farms School, Avon, Connecticut

BIOGRAPHY

Peggy Beck Evans (née Paver) is primarily known for wheel-thrown, functional wares using her own formulas of high-fire red and white stoneware clays and multi-color glazes. Evans' work is characterized by a variety of colors and textures.

Occasionally Evans made limited production runs produced in molds or over forms. Her limited production wares have elements of hand-finished work. Late in her career, Evans designed commission tiles and some sculptural objects.

Evans also made one-of-a-kind commission tablewares designed for specific clients. These production wares included double candle holders that could be combined create a variety of different arrangements; "pod dishes" designed for candy and condiments; "handies" little dishes that fit the hand; square bowls; tumblers; cigarette boxes and teacup and saucer sets. The saucers of the teacup sets are elongated to hold hors-d'oeuvres.

Evans organized the first ceramics course at Indiana University in 1949. She also taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for seven years (dates unknown).

In 1951, Evans moved to Connecticut where she taught Ceramics at the Avon Old Farms Boys School and adult education evening classes. Throughout this time, she continued independent commission work, designing for architects and interior decorators.

In 1963, Evans traveled through Europe for three months. Driving through 14 countries including Scandinavia, Italy, and Yugoslavia. Accompanied by her husband, Richard Evans, also on the faculty at Avon Old Farms School, the couple visited craft organizations, museums and, studios. Evans incorporated new ideas from this trip into her ceramics classes and into her own work.

In the 1970s, Evans retired to Palm Beach, Florida after a nearly 50-year career teaching and making ceramics. In 1967 she concisely described herself in the Hartford Courant, "I am a potter."

(This biography was compiled with the assistance of Eric Litke, Museum Assistant, American Decorative Arts, Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT. Litke brought Evans to TMP’s attention and provided not only the primary source material used in this biography but also the images used to create this Artist’s Page. Correspondence with Litke dated January 2018.)