Echoes in Blue and Ochre by Christiane Couvert. Courtesy/SFCC
El Camino Interior 1 by Diane MacInnes. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College announces the exhibition opening for Celebration of Clay: Clay Speaks of Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Visual Arts Gallery in the Fine Art Center, 6401 Richards Avenue, 87508. The fine art showcase will highlight the work of members of New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists (NMPCA). The show runs through Wednesday, April 8.
Director of Art on Campus Linda Cassel said, “SFCC is proud to host this exhibition of exceptional work by members of the New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists. The statewide organization brings its annual exhibition to various locations around the state and was eager to partner with the Visual Arts Gallery this year because of the college’s connection to the vibrant ceramic arts community. SFCC has a very strong ceramics program that offers classes to students at all levels. Many ceramic artists in the region got their start through their studies at SFCC.”
Celebration of Clay: Clay Speaks of Home Exhibition Statement
“For centuries, perhaps from the beginning, people have felt the spirits embodied in clay vessels and images—spirits that speak of the earth, the hearth, community and the heavens. Clay vessels and images, from crude earthenware to fine china, evoke the memories of all who have used and treasured them. These powerful spirit homes may be broken to release a spirit, included in burials to sustain a journey to the next world, become receptacles for miscellaneous treasures, carry food to the homeless, or lovingly pass to the next generation. They are physical and spiritual homes that inspire and sustain, from that just right mug in your hand to that sculpture whose power feeds your soul.
“We live in a time of risk to both our physical and spiritual concepts of home—the roof over our head, our planet, our country, the community we share, the spirit that animates us. How does clay speak to both the risk of loss and the spirit of hope and community it has always represented?”
Juried awards highlight exceptional work at the NMPCA’s annual exhibition. This year’s jurors from the NMPCA include Head of SFCC Ceramics Department Elizabeth Hunt, 2025 Best of Show award-winner Serit Kotowski, and longtime NMPCA member and ceramic artist Mary Sharp Davis. Juried award winners will be announced at the opening reception March 5.
Exhibition attendees can submit paper ballots at the Visual Arts Gallery for the People’s Choice Award.
Online voting through the NMPCA and more information will be posted in upcoming weeks at https://www.nmpotters.org/page-1800794.
The Visual Arts Gallery in the Fine Arts Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the exhibition or the gallery, contact Linda Cassel at linda.cassel@sfcc.edu or call 505.428.1501. Learn more about SFCC’s ceramic program at https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/ceramics/.
Sisters of the Earth by Hebé Garcia. Courtesy/SFCC