Motawi Tileworks — Handcrafted Ceramic Tiles at PINCH

Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Motawi Tileworks makes handcrafted ceramic art tiles. More than 30 years ago, Owner and Artistic Director Nawal Motawi began creating historically inspired tile in her garage and selling them at her local farmers market. Demand for her work grew, and in 1992 Motawi Tileworks was established. Today, Motawi specialize in Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Midcentury Modern aesthetics. In addition to its own unique designs, Motawi Tileworks is also licensed to produce tiles based on the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Charley Harper. 

Each tile is made by hand. A little about Motawi’s making process: tile designs are etched into plaster molds. Clay is pressed into the mold, trimmed and bisque-fired in the kiln. Each tile is then glazed by hand and returned to the kiln for a final firing. With the intricate art tiles, Motawi glazers employ the centuries-old Cuenca technique, carefully filling glazes into the “basins” created by thin, raised lines in the clay.

Perfect as decorative wall art, backsplash accents, or unique gifts, these artisan ceramic tiles bring color, texture, and warmth to any space. Whether you’re creating a focal point over the fireplace or collecting small art tiles for your home, Motawi tiles offer the perfect blend of design, durability, and handmade beauty.