CALL FOR ENTRIES: FREEHAND

Deadline for Entries: November 30, 2026

Freehand celebrates ceramic works that feature direct mark-making as surface decoration: fingertip impressions in wet clay, brushwork, carving, sgraffito, drawing, scratching. In short, works that carry a permanent, visible trace of the artist's uninhibited hand.

Exhibit Dates: February 3 - March 28, 2027
Reception: March 13, 4-6 PM

Juror: Bede Clarke

Bede Clarke is Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri-Columbia, having taught at Missouri 1992- 2021. He received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa (1990) and a BFA from Eckerd College (1982). Bede’s work is found in collections in the U.S. and abroad, such as: Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, Icheon World Ceramic Center, South Bend Museum of Art, Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Martin Museum of Art and Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art.

Bede maintains a studio in Columbia, Missouri where he produces his work. Recent exhibits include: Muskegon Museum of Art, Dennis Museum Center, Lawrence Art Center, NCECA 60th Anniversary Exhibition, Reuben Saunders Gallery and Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art.

Bede has conducted over 100 workshops and lectures around the country and internationally.