Maija Grotell: The Pioneer of American Studio Pottery Maija (Majlis) Grotell (August 19, 1899 — December 6, 1973) was an influential Finnish-American ceramic artist and educator. She is often described as the “Mother of American Ceramics,” a title earned through her tireless advocacy for studio pottery and her transformative role in establishing it as a respected artistic discipline within the United States. Born in Helsinki, Finland, Grotell’s early life was marked by a passion for art instilled by her father, who encouraged her to pursue painting and sculpture alongside design studies. Sh…