A Familiar Face Joins Toomey & Co and A Virtual Visit to Pewabic Pottery

by Kate Nixon

 

 

Toomey & Co. Auctioneers of Oak Park, Illinois is excited to announce the addition of Riley Humler to its team of auction specialists.

Humler is joining Toomey & Co. as head of its Ceramics Department. Humler has over 30 years experience in the auction business, beginning with Cincinnati Art Galleries and then as founder of Humler & Nolan, a premier Cincinnati auction house specializing in American and European ceramics.

Humler brings extensive knowledge of ceramics and his outstanding, established reputation. He is Vice President of the American Art Pottery Association and appears as an appraiser on the PBS program Antiques Roadshow In 1991, he curated and sold the Glover Collection, considered the most important sale of Rookwood pottery to date.

“I am thrilled to be joining Toomey & Co. as its ceramics specialist,” said Humler. “I look forward to connecting with old and new clients and friends and offering my support and advice. For 30 years, I have been focused on scholarship in the art pottery world, employing integrity and honesty, and I know I have found the right new home where I can continue doing so.”

Earlier this year in June, Humler & Nolan held their last of their Rookwood Auctions after 30 years of business, thanking their supporters for their business, loyalty and friendship. Humler will be staying in Cincinnati, maintain his local office and helping expand Toomey & Co.’s reach in that historic region. This past June, Humler had indicated his intention for a return to the auction world before holding his last Rookwood auction with Humler & Riley. “I will always be chasing pottery and paintings as it is and who knows, I may materialize in another location down the road,” says Humler. “I have made many friends over the years who share my interest in Rookwood and art and they are the real treasures of my business.”

John Toomey, President of Toomey & Co., stated, “We have been looking for a recognized expert in ceramics and are thrilled to get one of the most respected in the field. We look forward to having Riley, with his knowledge and energy, join our growing company and further expand our ceramics department. Riley is truly one of the very best at his trade — he will have the opportunity to share his expertise with our clients while continuing to work with his former clients. We look forward to having him on our team.”

Riley Humler may be reached directly at [email protected].

Pewabic Pottery Trip Goes Virtual with Farms Afield

 

Virtual Farms Afield: Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, Michigan

Sat., Dec. 5, 2020 at 4:00 PM EST via Zoom

Free to Stickley Museum Members with RSVP

 

For the next Member Exclusive virtual trip, the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is headed to Detroit, home of Pewabic Pottery and museum members can come along for the virtual ride for free.

Inspired by our current series “The Restorative Power of Craft,” Pewabic Pottery, which has been in continuous operation since its founding in 1903 by Mary Chase Perry Stratton, will be the focus of the next Farms Afield on December 5th. The past, present and future of Pewabic will be explored with Executive Director Steve McBride, who will take attendees inside this National Historic Landmark, including a stop at the newly opened Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation Pewabic Tile Studio. Join McBride for a discussion about the mission of this contemporary nonprofit pottery, which is dedicated to honoring the innovative vision of its founder and to enriching the human spirit through clay.

Sign up for the free museum member event by clicking HERE.

You can sign up for membership to the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms by clicking HERE.