The Catawba County Historical Association will unveiled their latest exhibition to the public, “Smooth, Stylish, and Swank: The Mid-Century Designs of Hyalyn Porcelain,” Sunday, May 16, 2010. The exhibit is housed in the lower level of the Hickory History Center, adjacent to the Harper House, at 310 N. Center Street in downtown Hickory. Admission is free.

Hyalyn Porcelain was founded by Les and Frances Moody and began production in Hickory in 1947, continuing through 1973. Hyalyn commissioned several major modernist design icons of the 1950s and 60s, including Herb Cohen, Georges Briard, Eva Ziesel, and Michael Lax, to create highly collectible and stylish product lines. Hyalyn is also well-known for their utilitarian ceramics, such as vases for garden clubs, lamp bases, ashtrays, and dinnerware. The exhibit displays a wide variety of their products as well as original drawings and design notes.

The exhibit will be open to the public until August of 2011.