Today we’d like to introduce you to Katia McGuirk.
Katia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the Executive Director of the TileWorks of Bucks County in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In April 2021, I formed a nonprofit organization to assume operations of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the purpose-built tile factory of America’s Arts and Crafts tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, established in 1898.
The 1912 Spanish Colonial Mission–style building is a National Historic Landmark and operates today as a working history museum and both a contemporary and historic tilery. Through objects, demonstrations, preservation, education, and tourism, we interpret the material culture, ceramic traditions, stories, and practices of the past, offering visitors a personal encounter with history through clay.
Since 2011, I have also served as a director of the Tile Heritage Foundation, a mission-based organization dedicated to documenting the American tile industry from 1897 to the present, preserving ceramic surfaces, and sustaining the craft.
I have worked professionally with clay for 45 years, with 55 years of personal engagement with the medium. I continue to lead, teach, build, inspire, design, and make with clay. If there were ever a true “tile nerd,” I suppose I’ve earned the badge.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As much as we like to joke about being alchemists, we still haven’t figured out how to turn clay into gold. The process is incredibly labor-intensive. From digging clay out of the ground to the final fired piece, each work is touched by human hands nine or ten times and goes through six to ten different processes along the way.
Because we’re deeply committed to paying our employees a living wage, that work is inherently expensive. It’s not something you can automate or speed up without losing what makes it meaningful. The value is in the craftsmanship, the time, and the human touch behind every piece.
At the same time, we’ve realized that while we have a strong name, reputation, and recognizable style, the work has historically been undersold. There wasn’t much marketing before, so part of our challenge now is building that infrastructure-creating a strong website, investing in outreach, and telling our story in a way that matches the quality of the work.
So in many ways, we’re balancing two realities: honoring a very hands-on, labor-intensive craft while also building the modern marketing tools that help people understand its true value.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Moravian Pottery and TileWorks is a national historic landmark, working history museum, and historic pottery. From 1898 to present, we are America’s Tile Maker. Through research, education and practice we are preserving the stories, philosophy & practices of Henry Chapman Mercer. The unity of the universal elements of earth, air, water and fire are embedded in our ceramic tile. We work with our whole being to shape local wild clay into artistic tiles and Mercer inspired products. With the dignity of labor, simplicity of tools, honesty of materials, and reverence for the past, we are imagining a more storied future.
We operate a museum and gift shop open to the public, where visitors can experience the history and craft of tilemaking firsthand. At TileWorks, we continue the tradition of making and selling handcrafted tiles for architectural installations across the country, suitable for floors, walls, fireplaces, backsplashes, and patios.
Throughout the year, we host a variety of events that bring the community together. Our annual TileFest will take place May 16–17 this year, celebrating tile, craft, and creativity. We also present outdoor concerts on the lawn throughout the year, as well as intimate indoor performances and shows.
TileWorks is also a wedding and event venue, offering a unique historic setting for celebrations and gatherings. Over Labor Day weekend, we host a lively Renaissance Faire that has become a beloved tradition-and truly not to be missed.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Philadelphia, I even have a house right in Fishtown! This city is booming with DIY creatives and really interesting artists, I love it. My least favorite part about our city is finding parking in Fishtown. The streets are very narrow and small and people get very territorial over “their” spot.
Pricing:
- Adult tour- $17
- Student tour-$10
- Senior tour-$13
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetileworks.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetileworks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTileWorksofBucksCounty
