NCECA 2027 Juried Student Exhibition

The 2027 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition (NJSE) will run concurrently with CHARM, the 61st annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, March 10-13, 2027. Elizabeth Williams, PhD and Yoshi Fujii will jury the Exhibition.

The 2027 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition is open to undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Students may submit one artwork per application and up to two applications (for two works entered into the exhibition total.) 

Please note that this call will not be extended beyond the closing date and time of September 2, 2026 11:59 Mountain time.  Apply early!

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact CaFÉ Support at cafe@wearecreativewest.org. NCECA staff cannot assist with technical issues.

Please save your application frequently. CaFÉ sessions can occasionally time out, and unsaved work may be lost.

We strongly recommend preparing your statements and other written responses in a separate document so you can easily copy and paste them into the application.

PROSPECTUS 2027 NCECA JURIED STUDENT EXHIBITION (NJSE)

Juried by Elizabeth Williams, PhD and Yoshi Fujii 

Call For Entries

DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 11:59pm MDT
Please note time zone - late entries will  not be accepted

If you encounter problems and require technical assistance, contact CaFÉ™ support staff at cafe@wearecreativewest.org   

If you have questions about eligibility or submission rules that are not answered in the listing description, contact tammy@nceca.net

HOSTED BY:

THE PEALE, BALTIMORE’S COMMUNITY MUSEUM, 225 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21202

(667) 222-1814  https://thepeale.org/

EXHIBITION DATES: March 8 - May 9, 2027

ABOUT THE NCECA JURIED STUDENT EXHIBITION
The 2027 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition (NJSE) will run concurrently with CHARM, the 61st annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, March 10-13, 2027. Elizabeth Williams, PhD and Yoshi Fujii will jury the Exhibition.

The NCECA Juried Student Exhibition is composed of selected works submitted by students working in undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate programs based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The exhibition highlights the breadth of contemporary ceramic practice emerging from academic institutions across North America, presenting work that reflects a wide range of material approaches, conceptual concerns, and technical strategies.

Together, these works offer a snapshot of current directions in student practice, revealing how emerging artists are engaging with tradition, experimentation, and critical inquiry through clay. The exhibition serves both as a platform for visibility and professional development for student artists and as an opportunity for audiences to encounter new voices shaping the future of the field.

ABOUT THE JURORS

Elizabeth A. Williams, David and Peggy Rockefeller Curator of Decorative Arts and Design, joined the RISD Museum in 2013, following curatorial positions at LACMA and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the Kress Foundation Department of Art History at the University of Kansas. She recently curated a cross-cultural ceramics exhibition, entitled Trading Earth: Ceramics, Commodities, and Commerce; and A Shared Journey: The Barkan Contemporary Ceramic Collection at the RISD Museum. Williams is the President of the American Ceramic Circle. 

Yoshi Fujii is the Director of Exhibitions and Shop at Baltimore Clayworks. Yoshi earned his MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and first came to Baltimore Clayworks in 2008 as the recipient of the Lormina Salter Fellowship. As a ceramic artist and educator, he is known for his delicately carved functional pottery and his thoughtful approach to sharing craft with others through teaching at colleges and community centers throughout the region and leading workshops nationally and internationally. His recent recognition with the American Craft Council Award of Excellence reflects his commitment to craftsmanship and his contributions to the field. 

ABOUT THE VENUE: 
The Peale is a dynamic center for Baltimore’s history, architecture, and community storytelling. Located in the first purpose-built museum building in the United States, The Peale serves as a platform for sharing and preserving Baltimore’s rich cultural narratives. Through exhibitions, performances, talks, and immersive experiences, the organization highlights the voices and stories that shape the city’s identity. Today, The Peale is committed to preserving Baltimore’s intangible cultural heritage by supporting creative work that reflects the city’s diverse communities and lived experiences.

ELIGIBILITY

The NCECA Juried Student Exhibition is open to undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students currently enrolled in institutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Recent graduates are eligible to apply, provided the submitted work was created within the past 12 months while they were still enrolled as students. All applicants must have been working toward a degree or post-baccalaureate program at the time the work was produced.

All submitted work must have been completed within 12 months of the application deadline.

Students enrolled at institutions where the jurors are currently serving as faculty must seek approval to apply.

ENTRY FEES:

NCECA membership is not required to apply; however, members receive complimentary entry to NCECA exhibition calls.

Member: $0.00; Non-member: $30.00  

Please note that NCECA is unable to issue refunds for incorrect fee submissions.

The entry fee supports the scope and quality of the exhibition. As a nonprofit organization with a limited budget, NCECA strives to keep fees as accessible as possible. For this reason, entry fees are fixed and cannot be reduced. Please do not contact NCECA to request fee waivers or discounts.

NCECA WILL VERIFY MEMBERSHIP. 

Please check your NCECA Membership status and expiration date by logging into your NCECA Account/Profile at this LINK or contacting tammy@nceca.net 
To renew or become a member of NCECA, go to https://nceca.net/members

MEDIA & LIMITATIONS

This exhibition focuses on dynamic expressions of ceramic creation, media, process, history, and context. Mixed-media pieces are acceptable only when clay and ceramic expressions are predominant and essential to the work’s creation.

All work samples and attachments (other than a resume) submitted must NOT include the applicant’s name.

• This enables the adjudication process without bias in knowing artists’ identities.
• Any reference to an applicant’s name or school will disqualify the participant from jurying.

Video in lieu of a physical work that engages ceramic materials, processes, or histories may be considered at the curator’s discretion. 

• Submit video as a link (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar).
• One video sample per artwork may be submitted, up to two minutes in length; an additional link to a full-length video may be included.
• Videos requiring login access will not be reviewed.
• Artworks requiring projection may be required to have the appropriate technology supplied, based on the venue’s discretion. 

Works involving photography that references ceramic materials or processes may be considered at the jurors’ discretion.

All works must be structurally sound and installable. Floor and pedestal works must be self-supporting. 

Wall-mounted works must include secure hanging hardware.

Individual components should weigh under 100 lbs and fit through a standard 36” x 80” doorway.

NCECA and the venue reserve the right to exclude work that cannot be safely installed or arrives in unstable condition. 

Final selections are contingent upon the venue’s ability to accommodate the work.

PLEASE NOTE: A RETAIL/INSURANCE VALUE MUST BE  PROVIDED FOR ALL WORKS WHETHER FOR SALE OR NOT

• This value cannot be changed once submitted. Submissions without a retail value for the work will not be accepted.

NUMBER OF WORKS

Artists may submit one (1) artwork per application. Artists may submit a maximum of two applications.

Each artwork may include up to two (2) media files (i.e., a full image and a detail image)

EXCLUSIONS

NCECA reserves the right to exclude:

• Submissions with more than one artwork or more than two images
• Works in progress or representations of works in progress will not be considered.
• Works previously exhibited in NCECA Cornerstone exhibitions (Annual, NJSE, MCFE)
• Submissions with incomplete answers to questions
• The same work submitted to multiple NCECA calls in the same year

NOTE:

Submitted work must be available and match the original application. 

No substitutions or alterations will be permitted after submission or acceptance.

Selected works must remain on view for the full duration of the exhibition.

ENTRY PREPARATION & APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must create or log in to their CaFÉ™ account and ensure their contact information is current before submitting an application.

If you have not used your account recently, allow sufficient time to resolve any account issues before the deadline.

All media files must be uploaded to your CaFÉ™ portfolio and comply with CaFÉ™ specifications. For account setup, media requirements, tutorials, and technical support, visit the CaFÉ™ Help Center.

Click HERE specifically for information about uploading media.

IMPORTANT: NCECA will not extend the submission deadline for applicants who experience technical difficulties with CaFÉ™ after 4:00 p.m. MT on June 17, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

1. Prepare all application materials in advance, including images that meet CaFÉ™ specifications, artwork details, and required written statements.
2. Ensure that all written statements comply with NCECA's character limits.
3. Save copies of all submitted text for your records.
4. Carefully proofread all materials before submission. Submitted text should be publication-ready.

If selected, NCECA reserves the right to edit submitted statements for the exhibition catalog to ensure consistency with its style guide and to address spelling, grammar, length, and clarity. 

ARTIST STATEMENT   

Provide a print-ready artist’s statement in the first person that offers context for your work. You may include insights into your creative process, material choices, influences, and the ideas or themes you explore through clay.

• This statement will be included in the Exhibition Catalog
• Character Limit: 600–1000 characters, including spaces (approximately 100-155 words)
• Do not include your name!

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT   

Provide a short biographical statement written in the third person. 

• The Jurors will not see this statement but if selected it will be included in the Exhibition Catalog.
• This is about you, not your artwork or your process.
• Character Limit: 300–700 characters, including spaces (approximately 50-100 words)

Important: You must stay within the 300–700 character limit even though CaFÉ allows a 1,000 Character Limit.

LEVEL OF STUDY: Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-baccalaureate, or Recent Graduate

SCHOOL NAME, PROFESSOR NAME, PROFESSOR PHONE, PROFESSOR E-MAIL

PRONOUNS (optional)

WEIGHT OF ARTWORK IN LBS.

IS THE WORK TO BE WALL MOUNTED?

HEADSHOT

Submit a high-resolution portrait of the artist in JPG or PNG format. NO PDFS OR DOCS

Minimum dimensions 900x900 pixels — equivalent to 3x3 inches at 300ppi resolution; 6" @ 150ppi; 12.5" @ 72ppi.

Images larger than 900 pixels are OK, but smaller than 900 pixels cannot be used.

Please make sure Headshot file names have the following:

1. Artist name
2. 2027NJSE
3. Name of the photographer (put "the artist" if you took the image)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Share no more than two links (e.g., Instagram, website). If not applicable, please write “NONE.

IMAGES

Uploaded media files will be stored in your CaFÉ™ Portfolio as a repository of images to be accessed while completing the submission.

ONE  (1) ARTWORK ONLY PER APPLICATION.  

TWO (2) Media Files per Artwork (e.g., an image and a detail image)

ARTISTS MAY SUBMIT A MAXIMUM OF TWO APPLICATIONS. 

• Format: JPG (preferred)
• Minimum: 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• Maximum file size: 5 MB
• Color profile: sRGB
• Images must be high resolution.
• The submitted work must be available for the exhibition and match the original entry.

NOTE: If selected, you will be required to upload images with minimum dimensions 2700x3600 pixels — equivalent to 9x12 inches at 300ppi resolution; 18x24" @ 150ppi; 37.5x50" @ 72ppi. JPG or PNG format to a Dropbox Folder.

REVIEW (Uploading Media to CaFÉ™™): - https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-CaFÉ™™/uploading-media
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPddZVJzTAE&t=3s

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

Work submitted must include the following information:

1. Title    Listed exactly as it should appear on the artwork label.
2. Medium (60-character limit, including spaces)
   • This will appear on the artwork label and in the exhibition catalog.
3. Dimensions   Height × Width × Depth (in inches). IN THIS ORDER.
   • Do not use feet or metric measurements.
4. Artwork for Sale?   Yes or No
5. Price / Retail Value   A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.
   • This value cannot be changed after submission.
6. Year Completed
7. Primary Discipline Ceramics
8. Description Include any additional information you would like the jurors to know about the work.

Important: All submissions must include a declared monetary value for insurance purposes.

REVIEW and SELECTION PROCESS

Work will be reviewed based on submitted images

The artwork submitted must be available for the entirety of the exhibition. No substitutions or changes to the artwork will be accepted.

The jurors will make final selections after the venue confirms that the work can be installed safely and professionally.

Selected artists will be notified via the CaFÉ™ System by October 23, 2026. Please check your spam folder before reaching out to NCECA.

SHIPPING, DELIVERY, AND RETURN OF ARTWORK

Artwork must arrive at the venue between February 15–20, 2027.

Shipping can be extremely expensive. Please research costs in advance to ensure you can cover round-trip shipping and insurance.

 All shipping must be prepaid, and a prepaid return shipping label must be included with your shipment. 

NCECA cannot provide additional funding beyond the stated shipping reimbursement; please do not contact NCECA to request additional funding.

Artists are responsible for securely packing their work, arranging and paying for shipping to and from the exhibition venue, and providing insurance while the work is in transit.

Appointments are required for self-delivery or installation. Artists must provide proof of return shipping to tammy@nceca.net before the exhibition opens.

Please do not apply to this call if you cannot meet these requirements.

PLEASE NOTE:  NCECA, its agents, and representatives shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever if work is lost, stolen, or damaged. This, however, shall not bar artists from filing claims with the insured venue or transit company with respect to any such loss, theft, or damage.

 If the work is damaged in shipping, replacement work will not be considered.

SHIPPING REIMBURSEMENT

NCECA will reimburse up to $400 per artist for shipping or transport.

• Ground shipping only (unless international shipping requires otherwise)
• Mileage reimbursement for hand delivery: $0.505 per mile
• Return shipping for sold work is the responsibility of the purchaser
• Rush fees are not reimbursable unless pre-approved
• Artists must retain and submit receipts for reimbursement

If multiple works by an artist are selected, the artist must:

• Obtain a combined shipping quote
• Request NCECA approval to increase the reimbursement cap based on the number of accepted works before signing an agreement

Note: This does not apply to a single entry consisting of multiple components.

Please do not contact the NCECA office to increase your shipping reimbursement unless you have more than one work accepted into the exhibition.

DOCUMENTING PACKING PROCESS

NCECA strongly recommends that artists document their packing process with photographs and brief written descriptions prior to sealing crates or boxes for shipment. This documentation may be necessary to support claims for damage incurred during transit.

RETURN OF UNSOLD WORK

Return shipping must be prepaid by the artist, who must be listed as the shipper of record.

At the close of the exhibition, the venue will repack works using the original crate or box. Artists are responsible for providing suitable, reusable packing materials; inadequate materials may result in additional repacking charges.

The venue cannot store artwork after the exhibition closes. Artists must be available to receive the return shipment upon delivery or make alternative arrangements in advance. 

INSURANCE

The venue will insure artwork only while it is on the premises. Artists are responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for their work during transit to and from the venue.

All submitted works must include a declared retail value, regardless of whether the work is for sale.

In the event of loss or damage, artists may be required to provide documentation supporting the declared value of the work, such as records of comparable sales or other evidence of market value.

SALES

Artists may choose whether to offer their work for sale. However, all works must include a declared retail value for insurance purposes, regardless of sale status.

For works that are sold, the artist will receive 50% of the sale price.

Shipping costs for purchased work are the responsibility of the collector and should be coordinated with the artist and the venue.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Participating artists agree to allow NCECA, the exhibition venue, and gallery visitors to photograph work while on display for educational and promotional purposes.

NCECA and the venue may retain images of accepted works and use them for promotional and reporting purposes, including on the NCECA/Venue website, social media, print publications, and electronic communications. Images may also be shared with news and arts and culture media outlets.

CATALOG

NCECA reserves the right to produce a full-color print, print-on-demand, and/or digital catalog in conjunction with the exhibition. The catalog may include a curatorial essay, artist statements, artist biographies, and images of works by participating artists.

If a print or print-on-demand catalog is produced, each participating artist will receive one complimentary copy. Additional copies may be available for purchase.

CONFERENCE PASS AND MEMBERSHIP

Selected artists will receive a complimentary NCECA conference pass and one-year membership for the 2027 conference.

Artists who are current NCECA members will have their membership extended by one year.

Conference passes and memberships are non-transferable. The conference pass is valid only for the 2027 NCECA conference.

CALENDAR

Deadline:
September 2, 2026, 11:59 PM MDT (no late entries will be accepted for any reason)

Notification:
By late October, 2026

Loan Agreements Due:
One week after receiving via Adobesign.

Delivery Window (Shipped & Hand-Delivered):  February 15-20, 2027

Installation: February 22 - March 5, 2027
Exhibition: March 8 - May 9, 2027

CHARM, 61st Annual NCECA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland: March 10-13, 2027
Reception: Thu, Mar 11, 6–9 PM

Deinstallation: May 10-14, 2027
Return Shipping: May 15-24, 2027 

Damage Claims:
Upon return, please open your shipment immediately to confirm the work has arrived safely.

Reimbursement Deadline:
June 15, 2027 (form provided at exhibition close)

If you experience technical issues, contact CaFÉ™ support at cafe@wearecreativewest.org

Please allow 2–3 hours for a response, especially during times of high email volume.

NCECA staff cannot provide technical assistance within the CaFÉ™ platform

When in doubt,

• Clear your Cache
• Close and reopen CaFÉ™
• Files should be .jpg
• Switch to a different browser.  Some people have switched to a different browser to upload their headshots.
• Contact cafe@westaf.org

The CaFÉ™ website is best viewed with the following desktop browsers:

Firefox: current version
Safari: current version
Chrome: current version

All work must be primarily ceramic. Mixed media works are eligible only when clay is the dominant material. Video works featuring clay or ceramics will also be considered.

Artists may submit no more than one (1) artwork with two (2) media files per artwork.

High-resolution images are required.

NCECA reserves the right to exclude any submissions with incomplete answers to questions.

Height × Width × Depth (in inches). Do not use feet or metric measurements.

A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.  This value cannot be changed after submission.

The 2027 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition is open to undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students enrolled in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Recent graduates’ work is eligible if created in the last 12 months and when they were still students.

Applicants must have been working toward a degree or post-baccalaureate in when the work was created.

Students enrolled at institutions where the jurors are currently serving as faculty must seek approval from NCECA to apply.

NCECA membership is not a requirement of eligibility; however, NCECA members receive a complimentary entry fee to NCECA exhibitions.

By submitting an entry to this call, artists confirm that they have researched the costs and will be prepared to to pay for round-trip shipping and include a return shipping label when they ship their work.