Cena Caterine Painter of Heavenly Places
Shaws Cove estate, Laguna Beach, CA, Original Catalina Tile photo by Tom Lamb
Alas, the Chewing Gum King passed away in 1932. And it was about this same time that the company started mixing white clay from the mainland (or “overtown,” as Catalina’s residents thought of it) with the island clay. As beautiful as they may have been when fired, and despite what the Los Angeles Times thought about their “flintlike hardness,” the pieces made entirely from Catalina’s red clay chipped easily. White clay had actually been discovered on the island in 1929, and, as D.M. had observed at the time, “the enamel takes very much better on the white than the red.” The beginning of the end for Catalina Tile and Catalina Pottery came in 1937. That year Catalina Clay Products sold its molds and trademarks to an overtown company, Gladding, McBean, which continued to turn out Catalina Pottery until 1942. But the new company chose not to lease the plant at Pebbly Beach, citing the high cost of transporting materials. The molds and the name went through a few more vicissitudes, but of course the physical—and vital— connection to the “island of romance” had been lost. Silver Canyon Pottery is located on scenic Catalina Island. Robin is widely known for her work restoring the tiles of downtown Avalon. Silver Canyon Tile specializes in the distinctive “cuenca” style of tile and has replaced 40% of downtown Avalon in restoration efforts. Her most recent endeavor has been to bring the history and fun of tile making to the visitors to the island via her popular studio tours. For more information visit Silvercanyonpottery.com.
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The Shaws Cove estate sits in a prime Laguna Beach oceanfront location. Originally constructed for the J. Roy Smith ranching family in 1928, this classically designed Mediterranean Revival beach-front home has been meticulously restored. From it’s prominent oceanfront location to the property’s rich architectural and owner history, 989 Cliff Drive is a unique opportunity. For more information about the Shaws Cove estate, featured with original Catalina Tile in this article, visit ShawsCoveEstate.com or contact colisting agents Hanz Radlein at hanz@radlein.com or Michael Johnson at michaeljohnson100@gmail.com.