Biography

Don Reitz was an influential American ceramic artist, born on November 7, 1929, and passed away on March 19, 2014. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to the revival of salt glaze pottery in the United States. Reitz taught ceramic art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1962 to 1988, where he played a pivotal role in reintroducing the salt glaze technique, a method that involves introducing salt into the kiln during firing, which was traditionally practiced in European ceramic schools. Reitz's career was marked by both innovation and resilience. After a serious car accident in 1982, he created a series of works known as the Sara Period, which reflected his personal journey of recovery. Despite facing numerous health challenges later in life, including a heart attack in 2007, Reitz continued to produce art with the assistance of studio helpers. His works are held in high esteem and are part of the collections at prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Ceramic Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Reitz's legacy endures through his innovative techniques and the expressive, tactile quality of his ceramics, making his work highly sought after by collectors.