Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Destination for Unique Art & Craft Creations
For over five decades, our business has been dedicated to curating exceptional one-of-a-kind works by contemporary American artists. Founded in 1968 by Andy and Julia, our journey began as a pottery class at Studio 1 City Recreation Center in Oakland, CA, which quickly evolved into a passion for ceramics. Andy's mastery of ceramics led to the establishment of the Mills College Ceramic Guild and teaching opportunities, culminating in the opening of our first gallery in the Oakland Hills. Our unique approach combined functional pottery with artistic expression, using the name 'Pot-Pourri Arts & Crafts Gllry' to reflect both our ceramic focus and eclectic mix of offerings. Over the years, we expanded our inventory to include blown glass, wood turnings, jewelry, and diverse art forms while maintaining our commitment to artist community development. After three relocations within the same shopping center, we secured a 5,000-square-foot space that became Northern California's largest art collection.Julia's corporate expertise enhanced our jewelry and stationery departments after her 1991 retirement, while our sons Chris and Max expanded operations to Burlingame in 1996 and revitalized the Oakland location in 2003. Despite closing our Oakland store in 2019, we demonstrated resilience by reopening in Berkeley, CA, in February 2020, continuing our family legacy. Our 1995 Outstanding Business Award from Alameda County recognized our contributions as Northern California's premier small retail art destination. Today, we maintain our original mission of promoting ceramic art while offering an ever-evolving collection of unique handmade creations. Our Berkeley location at 2108 Vine Street continues to provide customers with an unparalleled shopping experience featuring both local and national artisans.
Services
Artisan Pottery
Handcrafted Jewelry
Blown Glass
Wooden Creations
Metal Artworks
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of expertise in curating contemporary American art
- Our family-run business maintains original ceramic art focus since 1968
- We feature diverse mediums beyond pottery including glass, wood, and metal
- Our Berkeley location continues Northern California's largest art collection
- We combine generational knowledge with fresh perspectives from third-generation management
What people say
Unique inventory
Knowledgeable staff
Exceptional experience
Artistic atmosphere
Family legacy
Services
Artisan Pottery
We specialize in functional and decorative pottery created by contemporary American artists. Our collection features wheel-thrown and hand-built pieces with unique glazes and textures. Each item combines practical use with artistic expression, showcasing traditional techniques updated with modern aesthetics.
Handcrafted Jewelry
Our curated jewelry selection features one-of-a-kind pieces from national artisans. We offer metalwork, beadwork, and mixed-media designs using precious and semi-precious materials. Each creation balances wearable functionality with gallery-quality artistry across various styles and price points.
Blown Glass
We showcase studio glass artists specializing in both functional and decorative pieces. Our collection includes vases, sculptures, and lighting featuring intricate patterns and vibrant colors. Each item demonstrates masterful control of molten glass through traditional and contemporary techniques.
Wooden Creations
Our wooden art collection features hand-turned bowls, sculptures, and functional items from domestic and international artists. We offer diverse wood species finished to highlight natural grain patterns. Each piece combines woodworking skill with artistic vision for both decorative and practical applications.
Metal Artworks
We curate metal art ranging from wall hangings to kinetic sculptures. Our collection includes blacksmithed items, welded constructions, and precision-cut designs. Artists employ various metals with different finishes to create pieces that withstand outdoor elements while maintaining artistic integrity.
People
Andy
Founder
Andy established Pot-Pourri Arts & Crafts Gllry in 1968 after discovering ceramics at Oakland's Studio 1. He mastered pottery techniques, taught classes, and co-founded the Mills College Ceramic Guild before opening the gallery. His vision created Northern California's premier art destination.
Julia
Co-Founder
Julia co-founded Pot-Pourri Arts & Crafts Gllry with Andy after their shared pottery class experience. She expanded the jewelry and stationery departments following her 1991 corporate retirement. Her design sensibilities helped shape the store's eclectic inventory while maintaining its artistic integrity.
Max
Location Manager
Max joined the family business in 2003, managing the Oakland location before relocating to Berkeley. He brought fresh perspectives while honoring traditional values. His leadership ensured the business's survival through challenging transitions while maintaining its artistic mission.
Questions
What makes Pot-Pourri Arts & Crafts Gllry different from other art galleries?
We specialize in functional art with a focus on ceramics, offering both decorative and usable pieces from contemporary American artists.
Do you feature local artists in your collection?
Yes, we showcase Northern California artists alongside national creators across all our mediums.
What are your current Berkeley location hours?
We're open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Is Pot-Pourri Arts & Crafts Gllry a family-owned business?
Yes, we've been family-operated since 1968 with third-generation involvement in management.
What happened to the Oakland location?
We closed Oakland in 2019 but reopened in Berkeley in February 2020, continuing our legacy.
Do you offer art classes or workshops?
While we don't currently offer classes, our original founders taught pottery and established local ceramic guilds.
