About The Kalodners 

Marge and Phil were lifelong Philadelphia residents. Marge grew up in Upper Darby and studied at Immaculata College before getting married and settled in Bucks County. She started an interior design business which would become her career for over 60 years. 

Phil grew up in Cheltenham. After attending Amherst College, Phil graduated from Harvard Law School followed by an extraordinary career in both law and politics. Highlights include negotiating on behalf of the Flyers and Eagles sports teams, hosting John F Kennedy during a visit here, and running for Governor of PA.

Marge and Phil met in the late 70s and started collecting ceramics out of necessity; neither took dishes, bowls or cups from their previous marriages. Since they were starting from scratch, they decided to fill their house with beautiful ceramics. From that modest beginning, they set off on a 45-year journey together, collecting clay objects, meeting new and established artists, and supporting both artists and institutions through volunteer work, acquisitions, donations and sponsorships.

Marge's sense of beauty was used to curate a neglected 18 th century house in Gladwyne into a masterpiece of color and design. Phil's passion for the arts supported those efforts. The collection grew to over 900 objects in their house, including objects from luminaries such as Betty Woodman, Ken Price, Ron Nagle, Viola Frey, Richard Devore, and Daisy Youngblood. Included in the collection were several hand-written thank-you notes from Philip Eglin, Shannon Goff, Betty Woodman, and Beth Cavener, a nod to their deep commitment to the craft. They often hosted groups, opened their home to visiting ceramics students and professors, and graciously loaned many objects to museums and galleries around the world. They were together 24/7, feeding off each other's curiosity, generosity and determination to create a more beautiful world for
friends and family.

Phil passed away in 2024, Marge in 2025. They will be remembered forever for their unwavering support of the arts, justice and family.