The FAC houses an impressive amount of Van Briggle pottery, and the last time we had a full-scale exhibition was in 1975! You can view a small glimpse of the collection in the hallway leading to the security corridor. A challenge for a Van Briggle collector is identifying the validity of the pieces, as Van Briggle signage (found on the underside of the pots) is inconsistent through the years of production.
Here’s a glimpse into Van Briggle history via PPLD’s Photograph Archives:
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| Artus Van Briggle, founder of Van Briggle Pottery. Artus moved to Colorado Springs from Ohio due to his worsening tuberculosis condition. |
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| A Van Briggle Master Potter, Ambrose Schlegel, works at the wheel. Schlegel worked there from 1902-31. |
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| Postcard featuring the Van Briggle Pottery, located on Uintah St. This building opened in 1908 to commemorate Artus’ death, which occurred 4 years earlier. Colorado College has owned this building since 1968. The freeway was even re-routed just for the sake of this building! |
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| Artus’ wife, Anne Van Briggle, who collaborated on designs and helped create pottery. Artus died at age 35, and Anne re-married and sold the Van Briggle company and moved to Denver to pursue painting. |
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| A detail of the Van Briggle pottery building. It is now a historical landmark, noted for its special ceramic-laced facade. |
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| Men tending to the furnace in the Van Briggle Potter building.
  Samples of Van Briggle pottery from the FAC’s Permanent Collection |