Motawi Tileworks

For over 20 years, the artisans at Motawi Tileworks have hand-crafted art tile in their Ann Arbor, Michigan, studio. These distinctive tiles are known for their rich glazes and uniquely American designs, inspired by nature, art and architecture. Nawal Motawi, founder of Motawi Tileworks, was first exposed to the tile of the Arts & Crafts Movement at Pewabic Pottery, which she visited during her first college ceramics class. “My professor had just completed a gigantic tile mural created with Pewabic Pottery, which he took us all to see,” says Nawal, “and I immediately began to fantasize about someday making tilework like that!” In 1992 she set out on her own, starting what soon became Motawi Tileworks. Motawi tile designs are a blend of art from the turn of the century and Nawal’s own design sensibility. The designs are brought to life by a tile-making process that is a journey in itself. Improving the pressing, glazing and mold-making techniques is a bit of an obsession in the studio. The artful tile—the outcome of this shared obsession—is evidence that Nawal and her artisan team are at the top of their craft. Motawi tiles are distributed through approximately 30 upscale tile showrooms and over 400 galleries, gift stores and museum shops across North America. Customers can also purchase tiles or receive project design assistance on motawi.com or in Motawi's Ann Arbor studio.