Often referred to as “The Mother of American Ceramics,” Majia Grotell (1899-1973) has been an influential ceramic artist and educator. Inspired by her Finnish upbringing, Grotell created works that broke down barriers being a single woman in her time, receiving several awards that include the Diploma di Colabrador at the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1929 and being the first woman to receive a prize at the Ceramic Nationals.