Loja Saarinen
The weaver and entrepreneur who helped define what Cranbrook became.
This artist's work is shown through the museum and artist links on this page while it remains under copyright or awaits a permission-cleared image.
Born Louise Gesellius in Finland, Saarinen came to Michigan in 1923 with her husband, the architect Eliel Saarinen. She founded Studio Loja Saarinen in 1928 and became director of the weaving shops at Cranbrook in 1930, retiring as department head in 1942.
The studio produced rugs, tapestries, curtains and fabrics for Cranbrook's buildings and for outside clients. Frank Lloyd Wright commissioned rugs and upholstery from it for Edgar Kaufmann's office in Pittsburgh.
Cranbrook describes her as more than a weaver: an entrepreneur, designer and landscape gardener whose work extended to the gardens at Saarinen House and the Triton Pools.