From 1913 to 2026 : The Building's Story
This timeline shows the resilience of our beloved art factory over a 125-year period. From Panama Pottery to Panama Art Factory: Panama's walls have stories to tell, holding tales of clay formations, entrepreneurship, and rebirth.
1912
In 1912, Swedish immigrants Viktor Axelsson, Jacob Nilsson, and Anders Andersson established a pottery factory. In 1913, they constructed a kiln and began large-scale operations.
1914
In 1914, the partners debated on the name of the pottery business and decided that with the opening of the Panama Canal the name should incorporate the word "Panama” to achieve quick brand recognition
1920
By the 1920s, the business was employing between 15 and 20 people, using local clay and having its items sold at Sacramento’s Weinstock, Lubin and Company, even having some of its creations exported as far away as Asia.
1929
During the Great Depression, Panama Pottery struggled until a large order from a Hollywood film studio saved the business. During this era, the factory also served as a social gathering spot for the local Swedish community in Sacramento. Read more
1937
In 1937 tragedy struck, when a large fire destroyed most of the factory. Panama employees continued their work as best they could and in 1941 they had rebuilt the factory.
1941
In 1941, Anders sold the pottery business to Noble and Ouweta Leonard, who maintained its reputation for quality and creativity. After another fire destroyed much of the premises in 1945, the Leonard’s quickly rebuilt and resumed operations. During this time, Panama was producing 1,500 clay crocks, jugs, flower pots, vases and other pieces of pottery ware, daily.
1954
In 1954, the Leonards leased the factory, but the new operators went bankrupt by 1956. The Leonards regained control, and Ramon Santos, who had returned as a deliveryman, became chief assistant to Ouweta Leonard after her husband Noble passed away in 1963. In 1967, Ramon's wife joined the business as the bookkeeper.
1972
In 1972, Ramon Santos took control of the factory, where he worked to scale up operations and compete in the global market. In 2001 Panama Pottery produced 1,000 pots a week. Ramon continued to run the factory until he sold the business in 2006. Read more
2006
In 2006, local entrepreneur and artist David DeCamilla bought the factory. He converted the space into artist studios for the local community. The factory continued to use “Flintstone technology” to produce terracotta pottery until large-scale manufacturing of pots ceased in 2009. Read a wonderful Sac Bee article about the artisanal pottery making process. Read more
2016
In 2016, the thriving Panama Artist Collective, providing workspaces to 27 artists, was shut down by the city of Sacramento following the "Ghost Ship" tragedy in Oakland. The city mandated extensive updates to the 100-year-old building, effectively closing the collective. Read more
2023
In 2023, while the building was undergoing ADA renovations to re-open after a 7 year closure, a fire set by homeless individuals destroyed over half the structure.
2025
Heroically, in May 2025, the remaining structure reopened as Panama Art Factory. Today, it stands as one of Sacramento's last historic buildings and is an artistic hub where over 13+ artists and creatives gather to create, exhibit, learn, and share ideas.