In Ann Arbor,
Motawi Tileworks produces a dizzying range of tile, for both architectural installations and as collectible art. Styles range from Arts & Crafts to Mid-century Modern, with many special collections, and new work continually added. As a newly minted art-school graduate from the University of Michigan, Nawal Motawi took her restless spirit and interest in the applied arts to Detroit to learn tile-making at the venerable Pewabic Pottery. Two years later, in 1992, she was back in
Ann Arbor, making tiles in a garage studio; at first, she sold them out of a booth at the local farmer’s market.
Motawi Tileworks’ process is simple, but handcraftsmanship shows in every step. Tile designs are first etched into plaster molds. Clay is then die-pressed into the mold, and the pressed tiles are removed and trimmed. After an initial bisque firing, singlecolor tiles are hand-dipped in glaze, then returned to the kiln for a final firing. Tiles with multiple colors are hand-glazed using the cuenca (later called tube-lining) technique, where glazes are carefully added to the “basins” created by thin, raised lines in the clay.
“We make products that people love and will pay for,” says Nawal Motawi, owner and lead designer. “We demonstrate that a human-centered workplace can be very successful.” Indeed: The company she founded has since purchased its clay supplier, Rovin Ceramics, and opened Motawi Downtown in the Ann Arbor Art Center. The firm employs over 30 people, and the collection is far-ranging.