Van Briggle Art Pottery Display at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

“From Paris to the Plains: The Artistry of Artus & Anne Van Briggle”

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon, Colorado Springs

The Van Briggle display was reopened with a special reception on March 23, 2012

The main display rooms upstairs in the Colo. Spgs. Pioneers Museum has been rearranged, and highlighting early pottery and paintings by Artus & Anne Van Briggle. Artus studied in Paris while working for Rookwood Pottery. Anne was also studying in Paris; they met and became engaged in 1895.

During this time Artus learned he had contracted tuberculosis, and after returning to the United States and Rookwood Pottery, decided it was in the best interest of his health to relocate to the climate of Colorado Springs in 1899. Anne later relocated to Colorado Springs and took a position teaching art in the local high school.

Artus and Anne were married in Colorado Springs on June 12, 1902. Artus died in their home on July 4, 1904. Anne continued to work at the pottery until 1912. During the period of 1900-1912, there were approximately 900+ designs recorded, with the majority by Artus and Anne, and a lesser amount by other designers.