Glidden Parker

Glidden McLellan Parker Jr. (1913–1980) was an American artist and designer who is best known for his work in ceramics and stained glass. He established Glidden Pottery in Alfred, New York and later was chief designer for Glass Art Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Early life Glidden McLellan Parker Jr. was born in Phillips, Maine. He studied literature at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine with the intention of becoming a writer and received a BA in 1935. After furthering his studies in Vienna for a year he returned to Maine to write a novel that was never published. He became interested in ceramics and attended the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in Alfred, New York as a special graduate student from 1937 to 1939 studying under Katherine Nelson, Marion Fosdick and Don Schreckengost.

Professional career In 1940, Parker established Glidden Pottery in Alfred, New York. Parker sold his stoneware dinnerware to department stores in New York City. At its peak, Glidden Pottery had fifty-five employees and produced 150,000 pieces per year. Gliddenware was featured in magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, and House Beautiful. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz owned a complete set of Gliddenware, and pieces can be seen in some episodes of the television series I Love Lucy. Inexpensive imported dinnerware negatively impacted sales of Glidden Pottery and the company closed in 1957. Good Design, November 21, 1950 – January 28, 1951, Museum of Modern Art

Selected collections Alfred Ceramic Art Museum Cooper-Hewett Everson Museum

Selected stained glass installations CP Federal City Square, Jackson, Michigan Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, Arizona Episcopal Diocese of California, Saint Anselm's Episcopal Church, Lafayette, California