Exhibition Archive
Past Exhibitions
from the International Museum of Dinnerware Design
A Special Exhibition at
The Museum on Main Street
500 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
April 8 – August 26, 2023
Entomophagous Dining (Eating Insects)
Fifth Biennial National Juried Exhibition
presented by
The International Museum of Dinnerware Design
An exhibition featuring artists and designers exploring how dining on insects (entomophagy) may be in our future, if not in our present.
View the Entomophagous Dining On-Line Catalogue
This exhibition is a partnership between IMoDD and the Washtenaw County Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street. Juried prizes were sponsored by “Jiffy Mixes” of Chelsea Milling Company. Juried by Mary Jo Bole.
Image: Janel Jacobson, Peeper & Mayfly, carved porcelain box, celadon glaze, Diam: 4.5”, 1992, IMoDD 2022.146, Museum Purchase.
Dining on Modernism
A special exhibition at
Palm Springs Modernism Show
February 17-20, 2023
Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs CA
Presented as part of MODERNISM WEEK 2023
Dish Night at the Movies
January 7 – February 24, 2023
A special exhibition at the Michigan Theater, 603 Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Link to Dish Night at the Movies page
Travel Dining
September 7 – December 3, 2022
University of Michigan Taubman Health Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The pandemic has reminded us, perhaps more than ever before, about how special travel is – exploring new places, meeting new people, and that includes dining with others during these adventures. This special exhibition explores travel dining by airplane, train, steam ship, carferry, and even space ship. Visitors may become nostalgic for the now defunct airlines Pan Am Airlines when they view dinnerware, menus, and even a vintage toy airplane. What was it like to have tea on the Queen Mary while reclining on a deck chair? Remember the dining cars on the Streamliner trains? Re-imagine enjoying the journey with your family on the carferry across Lake Michigan while aboard the S.S. Badger. Visualize Captain Picard having tea on the Star Ship Enterprise…
A Perfect Pairing of Cookbooks and Dinnerware
June 30 – September 29, 2022
Audubon Room, Hatcher Graduate Library, University of Michigan
co-curated by Archivist Juli McLoone and Margaret Carney
Come see what’s cooking when historical cookbooks from the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive at the University of Michigan Library are perfectly paired with delicious dinnerware selections from IMoDD. A dozen selections from each stellar collection have been paired by University of Michigan archivist Juli McLoone and IMoDD curator Margaret Carney, for a feast for your eyes.
Colorful California Dinnerware
A Special Exhibition at
Gifts of Art Gallery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan
Taubman Health Center North 3D Gallery
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48109
September 7 – December 3, 2021, 8 am – 8 pm
[Link] to Colorful California Dinnerware page
Exhibition Dates: April 10 – August 28, 2021
Location: Museum on Main Street
part of the Washtenaw County Historical Society
500 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
and Online [link to the on-line exhibition catalogue]
Sculptural Dinnerware
A Special Exhibition presented by
The International Museum of Dinnerware Design at
Gifts of Art Gallery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan
Taubman Health Center South Lobby
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48109
March 16 – August 28, 2020, 8 am – 8 pm
med.umich.edu/goa/exhibits.htm | 734.936.ARTS (2787)
[Link] to Sculptural Dinnerware page
Defining Cups & Saucers
A special exhibition presented by the International Museum of Dinnerware Design
at Albion College, Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, Munro Gallery
805 East Cass Street, Albion, Michigan 49224
January 13 – February 8, 2020
Mon – Thurs 9-9, Fri 9-5, Sat 10-2, Closed Jan 20
[Link to On-Line Catalogue]
The exhibit will be accompanied by
a lecture by IMoDD Director Margaret Carney
Ann Arbor Public Library, Malletts Creek Branch
3090 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Sunday January 19, 2020: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
This event is in partnership with the Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor (CHAA).
[Link]
Dinnerware + Design + Decoration
October 31 – November 3, 2019
SOFA Chicago 2019 Navy Pier, Chicago
Dinnerware + Design + Decoration is a special exhibition of masterpieces selected from the IMoDD permanent collection that exemplify a diverse range of form and surface decorating techniques in addition to good design. These masterpieces of the tabletop genre were created by contemporary artists Jeff Oestreich, Warren MacKenzie, S.C. Rolf, Vivika & Otto Heino, Kate Maury, Tara Barnes-Stumpf, Paul Donnelly, Lea Zoltowski, and Herbert Sanders, along with leading designers for industry, Eva Zeisel, Josiah Wedgwood, Frederick Carder, Glidden Parker and Fong Chow, Piero Fornasetti, among others.
Identifying the featured sculptural embellishments, carving, faceting, sprig decorating, decals, hand-painting, incising, and various glazing techniques such as wax resist and crystalline glazes, will be the pleasure of the viewer. Decorations can add another dimension to the work, complementing and enriching (or in some cases, competing with) the basic form. Eva Zeisel’s 1950s white, undecorated Hallcraft teapot will be juxtaposed with another seven identical yet decal-decorated teapots. Viewers can decide whether the maxim, “When in doubt, buy white,” is their mantra, or whether ornate decorations influence their selection.
Link to SOFA Chicago 2019 Special Exhibits Page.
Butter
Third Biennial National Juried Exhibition
presented by the International Museum of Dinnerware Design
An invitational and juried exhibition of butter dishes, butter-themed sculpture and related butter items by contemporary artists, as well as vintage and historical objects, all displayed in an atmosphere celebrating all that delicious butter adds to our lives.
Exhibition dates: April 6 – August 25, 2019
Opening reception Saturday April 6, 2019, 1-4 p.m. Artists Awards and Gallery Talk, 2 p.m.
Location: Museum on Main Street
part of the Washtenaw County Historical Society
500 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Exhibition and awards sponsored, in part, by Ellen Wilt, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, Trader Joe’s of Ann Arbor and the International Museum of Dinnerware Design. Juried by Anne Meszko.
Invited Artists:
Undine Brod, Bill Brouillard, Nancy Bulkley, Mary Louise Carter, Michael Connelly, Paul Donnelly, Paul Eshelman, Léopold Foulem, Frank Martin, Polly Ann Martin, Kate Maury, Colleen McCall, David McDonald, Dganit Moreno, Judith Salomon, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Linda Sikora, Debbie Thompson, Kate Tremel.
Juried Artists:
Alice Abrams, Posey Bacopoulos, Tara Barnes-Stumpf, Michael Bishop, Irina Bondarenko, Darcy Bowden, Barbara Harding Brown, Stefanie Burdick, Elizabeth Coleman, Matthew Dercole, Becca Dilldine, Sarah Dockter, Adrienne Eliades, Julianne Harvey, Mandy Henebry, Craig Hinshaw, Urban Jupena, Cara Jean McCarthy, Charlotte Lindley Martin, Jodie Masterman, Sue O’Connor, KyoungHwa Oh, Helen Otterson, Jerri Puerner, S.C. Rolf, Peter Saenger, Kathryn Schroeder, Jo-Ann Siedlecki-Vento, Maribeth Sonsara, Claire Gabrielsen Teagan, Clovy Tsuchiya, Margo West, Christopher Whittington, Robin Wilt, Logan Woodle and Mieke Zuiderweg.
Tabletop Stories
A partnership exhibition presented by the International Museum of Dinnerware Design and the Ann Arbor District Library
Exhibition Dates: December 3, 2018 to January 26, 2019
Hours: Mon. 10am – 9 pm, Tues. – Fri. 9 am – 9 pm, Sat. 9 am – 6 pm, Sun. 12 pm – 6 pm
Location: Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch, Lower Level, 343 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
This exhibition pairs memorable stories published as books, operas, and perhaps a restaurant menu, with the notable dinnerware that followed. Visitors may recognize at least one teapot in the form of Sherlock Holmes; plates, bowls, cups and saucers with Rockwell Kent illustrations from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick; and charming dishes celebrating children’s favorite book characters such as Babar and Peter Rabbit. The exhibit explores the ubiquitous Blue Willow china pattern, marketed by the British as being derived from a Chinese legend. One may also be captivated by depictions of Charles Dickens’ characters from David Copperfield and Martin Chuzzlewit. There are simply too many stories and dishes to list, but think about the Donner Party, One Thousand and One Nights,The Story of Ping, Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera Yeoman of the Guard, and more surprises. Come for the books, stay for the dinnerware. Come for the dishes, stay for the books.
Unapologetic Dinnerware: a brief history of disposable dinnerware
When considering dining in 2018, there is not anything more timely than examining how the current state of single use dinnerware impacts our lives and our environment. In India alone, billions of plastic utensils are discarded annually. This special exhibition traces the history of disposable or single use dinnerware from ancient Mesopotamia to the present. Material culture artifacts of an intentionally “disposable” nature from diverse cultures and time periods, as well as prototypes from contemporary designers in India, Japan, Jordan, Portugal, Germany and the United States will be featured. Think American TV dinners, Chinese take out, edible cutlery from India, Japanese disposable trainware, plates made of fallen leaves from Indonesia, biodegradable coffee kits from Portugal, beer six-pack rings that may be consumed by marine life, and more.
LINK to Unapologetic Dinnerware exhibition page
Link to University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology Newsletter to learn more about the ancient Mesopotamian bevel-rimmed bowls in this exhibit.
Dining In Dining Out
There were fifteen reasons to visit the International Museum of Dinnerware Design’s special 3-day-only exhibition, Dining In Dining Out. It was a true celebration of dining experiences guaranteed to make the viewer smile. Fifteen dining vignettes were presented free to the public April 13-15, in the beautiful Mid-Century Modern events space, part of the Stone Chalet at 1917 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor. The free public reception was Friday evening 5:30-7:30 p.m. Each minimalist vignette was a reminder to the viewer of a memorable dining experience.
LINK to Dining In Dining Out page.
Timeless Dinnerware Design
at SOFA Chicago 2017, Navy Pier, November 2-5 2017
LINK to Online Catalogue
Dining In Dining Out
at the Stone Chalet in Ann Arbor, April 15-17, 2018
There were fifteen reasons to visit the International Museum of Dinnerware Design’s special 3-day-only exhibition, Dining In Dining Out. It was a true celebration of dining experiences guaranteed to make the viewer smile. Fifteen dining vignettes were presented free to the public April 13-15, 2018 in the beautiful Mid-Century Modern events space, part of the Stone Chalet at 1917 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor. The free public reception was Friday evening 5:30-7:30 p.m. Each minimalist vignette was intended to remind the viewer of a memorable dining experience.
LINK to Dining In Dining Out Page
Timeless Dinnerware Design
at SOFA Chicago 2017, Navy Pier, November 2-5 2017
Timeless Dinnerware Design is special exhibition by the International Museum of Dinnerware Design for SOFA Chicago 2017, focusing on dinnerware created since the 1930s; each object or set, a masterpiece in dinnerware design that has proven to be lasting, classical and eternal and exudes timelessness in its presentation – work that captures our imagination whether it is futuristic, nostalgic, or of the moment. Curated from the permanent collection, the exhibition is a sample visual exploration of dinnerware designed duringthe last 100 years. Some were intended to adorn our fine tabletops for all eternity, and others were created to be less permanent, despite attracting qualities and design success and accolades galore.
LINK to Timeless Dinnerware Design Page
Barware
at Morgan & York, 1928 Packard, Ann Arbor, Michigan
September 11 – October 14, 2017
The International Museum of Dinnerware Design’s specialBarware exhibition at Morgan & York, a fine wine and specialty foods establishment in Ann Arbor, offers a perfect opportunity to see a sampling of well-designed objects from its permanent collection intended to be used in making or serving cocktails, beer, or sake. Each has an element of beauty, and often there is an additional element of celebration and fun. These barware objects for special occasions remind one instantly of the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s in the United States, Europe and Asia. All are made from glass, ceramic, metal and/or plastic/bakelite.
Dining Mid-Century
at the Stone Chalet in Ann Arbor, Michigan
May 12 – 14, 2017
Dining Mid-Century is a very temporary 3-days-only pop-up exhibition which captures the flavor and essence of dining in the 1950s and 1960s, including furniture, dishes, glassware, flatware by leading mid-century designers and an occasional tableau of special dining moments possibly involving ants, a TV, and more.
LINK to Dining Mid-Century Page
a la carte: from the studio to the table
The Student Center Building at Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan
January 9 – February 18, 2017
The special exhibition a la carte: from the studio to the table, features 15 ceramic artists, including (alphabetically) Fong Chow, Val Cushing, Paul Eshelman, Gerry Eskin, Julia Galloway, Steven Godfrey, Ursula Hargens, Brigitte Lang, Clay Leonard, Beth Lo, Pete Scherzer, Jon Singer, Chris Staley, Irma Starr, and Marie Woo. Their work varies from the sublime to fun and/or whimsical. Each artist has created a utilitarian masterpiece that will be used and cherished for generations to come. In this case, these pieces have been acquired, catalogued, and photographed and will be appreciated as one enduring aspect of the permanent collection of the Dinnerware Museum.
LINK to a la carte Page
Cake
The Museum on Main Street, 500 N Main St., Ann Arbor, Michigan
April 9 to September 4, 2016
Sponsored in part by “JIFFY” Mixes of Chelsea Milling Co., Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, Plum Market, and Trader Joe’s of Ann Arbor.
When one thinks about cake, a celebration comes to mind. The Ann Arbor-based Dinnerware Museum, the only museum in the world devoted to all-things for the table, in partnership with the Washtenaw County Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street, presents Cake, a celebration of cake and all its related tableware – featuring an invitational and juried exhibition of cake stands and cake sculpture, created by contemporary artists working in ceramic, glass, and plastic (think Legos), as well as vintage cake stands, all displayed amidst sweet and delicious details about the history of cake, cake idioms, and related utensils and paraphernalia. Expect some cake sculpture, too. And, yes, there will be cake!
Thirst Quenchers
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch, Lower Level, 343 South 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
January 19 – February 25, 2016
The concept of an exhibition celebrating the notion of quenching one’s thirst, includes but goes beyond the usual kinds of drinking vessels one utilizes on a daily basis. Quenching one’s thirst involves special memories because it literally means to drink until one is satisfied. While it may involve the same act over and over again — pouring a drink of water, juice, hot cocoa, beer, Kool-aid, lemonade, milk, coffee, tea, a cocktail, sake, liqueur, or some other beverage, it is the desire to satisfy one’s thirst that is so memorable. And it is made even more memorable based on the circumstances and the types of dinnerware involved. The utensils could be ceramic, metal, plastic, glass, paper, or wood. And in one’s memory the pouring vessel and the receptacle are probably both beautiful and a distinctive shape.
LINK to Thirst Quenchers Page
The Dinnerware Museum:
a Place at the Table
A Gifts of Art Invitational Exhibition
University of Michigan Health System Gifts of Art Gallery – Cancer Center Elevator Alcove, Level 2, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
www.med.umich.edu/goa
January 7 to December 2015
The title of this special exhibition, part of the Gifts of Art project at the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, is also indicative of the proposal the Dinnerware Museum is making to the Ann Arbor community as well as the world community, in general – requesting a “place at the table” comprised of the foodie, cultural, educational, entertainment, and museum audiences that are interested in supporting the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to the subject of dinnerware.
Delicious Dishes
Riverside Arts Center, 76 North Huron St.,Ypsilanti, MI 48197
August 6-29, 2015
Sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market Ann Arbor and Trader Joe’s Ann Arbor.
Delicious Dishes was just like it sounds – a beautiful, colorful and tempting display of dishes that are delicious, with or without accompanying food. Works exhibited were created of ceramic, glass, plastic, wood, and metal and originated in the U.S., England, France, Germany, Portugal, Japan, and China, between 960 A.D. and the present. Diverse was the key descriptive element. There were walls of plates! The rare prototype photosensitive glass plate with the fern pattern designed by Ted Reyda at Corning, allowed the host or hostess to change their dinnerware every time he or she changed the tablecloth. Just imagine “new” dishes by just changing the table surface beneath the plate!
Time for Dinner
Collaborative Exhibit/Sale
Handmade Dinnerware and Table Linens with selections from The Dinnerware Museum
Textiles – Ceramics – Art Tiles – Jewelry – Found Art
Front Porch Textiles Studio, 1219 Traver St, Ann Arbor, MI
May 8 – 9, 2015
TEA
A special exhibition at Zingerman’s Coffee Company, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor and ZingTrain, 3728 Plaza Drive, Ste. 5, Ann Arbor
January 26 – April 10, 2015
The Art of High Chair Fine Dining
at the Ladies Literary Club, 218 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan
September 2 – 29, 2014
[Link] to The Art of High Chair Fine Dining page
Coffee
A special exhibition at Zingerman’s Coffee Company
3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor 734-929-6060
June 22 – August 23, 2014
The Dinnerware Museum: Three Courses
at the Museum on Main Street
500 N Main St
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dec 6, 2013 – May 12, 2014
Open Saturday and Sunday 12 – 4 pm and by appointment
Opening reception, Friday, December 6 at 5 pm
The Dinnerware Museum: Whetting Your Appetite
at SOFA Chicago 2013, Navy Pier
Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2013
Inaugural Exhibition: Unforgettable Dinnerware
at the Ladies Literary Club, 218 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan
April 27 – May 17, 2013
While the title Unforgettable Dinnerware may seem self-explanatory, a brief rationalization is provided. Something that is unforgettable is also memorable. Special meals and dining experiences are inextricably woven among ones favorite memories. This inaugural exhibition of the Dinnerware Museum is a celebration of these windows into our cultures, customs, and traditions.