newjerseynewsroom.com

BY CAROL ABAYA

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Shortly before Valentine's Day 2009, Sharon Lee Parker decided to save
dozens of jobs in New Jersey and, at the same time, the renowned Boehm
Porcelain Studio in Trenton.

Boehm, known to make the finest American porcelain art sculpture, was to close its doors, and these jobs were to go overseas to China.

Parker, a long-time Boehm collector, walked into the studio that
fateful day and was greeted with tears by Maria Ristaino, gallery manager.

"They're shutting us down," Ms. Ristaino said. "They have already laid off
all but four of us."

Parker replied, "No way!"

Passionate about keeping jobs in the U.S., Parker said "We have to put the skids on jobs going overseas. Too many companies shut down manufacturing here and go to China. Boehm is the last bastion of high quality art sculpture in the US. Quality products deserve to stay here. These magnificent hand-made sculptures are a symbol of the US and are forever an American legacy. Boehm flowers and animals never die."

Using her own money, Parker moved quickly. A month later, in March 2009, Parker took over Boehm. There are now 16 full-time employees and eight part-timers. Over the years, more than 400 different flowers, birds, and other wildlife pieces have been designed. Every piece is painstakingly made by hand by artists — people Parker considers family rather than employees.

Her enthusiasm and high- energy personality have brought new creativity to Boehm. Twelve completely new pieces and a new line of sculptures have been added. Citing the last 20 months as a rebirth of a great American tradition, Parker said, "We have turned the studio in a positive direction."

A series of small baby animals has been created so young people learn
to appreciate fine art at a young age. They make marvelous baby gifts and sell for $100 and up. Christmas ornaments feature canine companions and birds and can be made to order. "Forever After" is a new line that celebrates weddings — from sculptures for the top of the cake to wedding party gifts.

"Instead of putting the top of the wedding cake in the freezer," Parker said, "these magnificent pieces can sit on a living room table."
In 2011, new wine stoppers will be available, and the colorful lamps — long a Boehm specialty — will be reintroduced.

Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, the artisan studio was founded in 1950 by sculptor Edward Boehm and his wife Helen. The studio — still located on Princess Diana Way, in Trenton — has long been recognized as one of the world's foremost porcelain makers. More than 130 of the world's famous museums and galleries display Boehm pieces, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hermitage, the Smithsonian, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Tokyo National Museum, the Israel Museum and many more.

A four-foot high Tree of Life sits in the rotunda of New Jersey's State Capitol. The state's birds and flowers adorn the tree. Kings, queens, princes, princesses, heads of state and celebrities have received presents from the Boehm family, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, Mikhail Gorbachev and every U.S. president since Dwight Eisenhower.

Boehm's dedication to wildlife continues today. The Parkers donate 25% of the retail sale of wildlife sculptures directly to organizations on the gulf coast.

"The work of restoring the birds and animals in their natural habitswill continue for years," said Mrs. Parker. Pieces in Saving Our Wildlife collection begin at $275.

Pictures can be seen on Boehm's website boehmporcelain.com.