15TH ANNUAL WORKHOUSE CLAY INTERNATIONAL
On View: June 28 – September 21, 2025
Reception: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm
Vulcan Gallery, Building W-16, 1st Floor
JOIN US FOR A NATIONAL SHOWCASE OF CONTEMPORARY CERAMIC ART
The Annual Workhouse Clay International exhibition represents the depth and breadth of contemporary functional and sculptural ceramic artworks being created throughout the country. Ceramic artist and painter, Hillary Kane juried over 220 images to select 50 artworks that incorporate a contemporary spirit as well as technical skill in the material. The exhibition is an exciting opportunity to see a variety of styles and techniques that encompass the field of contemporary ceramic arts making their art across 21 states and the District of Columbia.
Award Winners 2025
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First place
Jessie Kristy
Maryland
Sovereignty, 2023, Glazed Stoneware, Coiled, 32”x12”x12”
A study in self-reliance and resilience.
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Second Place
Brian Grow
Virginia
Porcelain Basket Series #17, 2024, thrown and altered wood/soda fired porcelain, 12”x 16”x7” Sculptural vessel work.
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Third Place
Stephen Heywood
Florida
Serving Trough, 2024, Wheel Thrown and Altered Stoneware, 6”x15”x8” Reduction Cooled Wood Fired Stoneware.
Honorable Mentions
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Linda Ganstrom, Kansas
Invitation: Be Still, 2023, High fired raw clay and painted surfaces, 27”x84”x80”
Three ceramic figure rest on fabric cushions, with one cushion open for a participant to join the group in stillness and contemplation. -
David Newquist, Virginia
Water tank, 2023, Slab built clay, 8”x6”x4”
Precision through chaos. Tea pot raku fired dans blue glaze.
Juror Statement, Hillary Kane
It has been a big honor to jury the 15th Annual Clay Exhibition for the Workhouse Arts Center. It has also admittedly been a big challenge to narrow down the impressive number and quality of applicant artworks to a mere 50 ultimate selections for the show. In my process, I have tried to select across a broad range of technical approaches to the medium, as well as stylistic choices. There is some incredible talent represented and many voices and stories therein that need to be seen!
My first reaction to the submitted artwork was purely visual, and then I used the supporting artist statement and/or artwork description to permit deeper feeling and a more profound understanding about each piece. For the prize-winners, I have valued both unique vision as well as expert handling of the material, be it in a figurative, abstract or functional approach.
Hillary Kane is an artist in New England and a co-founder of Gaya Ceramic Arts Center in Indonesia. https://www.hkane.studio/
