A long, long time ago, in the early 1900s, Medalta was a bustling factory where cookie jars (amongst many other wares) were made. These jars found their way into homes across the country, filled with the comforting aroma of home-baked cookies. It was a magical era, one that still lingers in the collective memory.

Now, a century later, artist Elaine Zimmer revisits, reviews, redirects, and condenses the classical urn form of the Medalta cookie jar. Her reimagined creations are small, intimate porcelain jars that fit in the palm of your hand. These new forms are playful, toy-like, and echo the original Medalta cookie jars, resonating with the nostalgia of the past. Alongside Zimmer’s contemporary pieces, the show will also feature original Medalta cookie jars from our collection, offering a unique juxtaposition between the historic and the contemporary.

Zimmer’s jars tell a story; they are keepsakes. These reimagined cookie jars become treasures, their surfaces treated in the manner of naïve or folk art. Each jar is decorated with intent, a collaboration of materials, and a collection of memories. They are covered with pictures, words, stories, old-fashioned sayings, and recurring motifs from Elaine's artistic practice.

Join us to celebrate the legacy and modern reinterpretation of the Medalta cookie jar. Meet the artist, Elaine Zimmer, and explore her delightful creations that bridge the past and present with charm and creativity.