Earth & Fire 2027

Earth & Fire 2027 is a national, juried, exhibition of ceramic art held annually in Wheeling, WV in February and March. The jurors this year are Dr. Benjamin Evans and Wayne Higby, the current and former Director of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. This is the 5th annual exhibition and will be the focal point of our Ceramics Take Over Wheeling conference.

Ceramics Take Over Wheeling is a citywide event celebrating ceramic artists and enthusiasts alike. Galleries and venues across the “Friendly City” are excited to showcase the very best in contemporary and traditional ceramic art during this intimate 4-day ceramics festival.

The awards will be:

1st prize: $4000.00, solo exhibition, jury opportunity, and paid workshop / demo / talk in 2028.

2nd prize: $1500.00

3rd prize: $1000.00

2 merit awards: $250.00 each

Entry fee: $35.00 for up to 2 pieces

The awards will be:

1st prize: $4000.00, solo exhibition, jury opportunity, and paid workshop / demo / talk in 2028.

2nd prize: $1500.00

3rd prize: $1000.00

2 merit awards: $250.00 each

Entry fee: $35.00 for up to 2 pieces

Our Juror(s):

Dr. Benjamin Evans, (The Wayne Higby Director and Principal Curator of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum) is an artist, scholar, arts administrator, and curator with 25 years of experience in the non-profit arts profession. Immediately prior to joining Alfred University, he served as coordinator for the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) at the Ariana Museum of Ceramics and Glass in Geneva, Switzerland. The IAC is affiliated with UNESCO, with 1,000 members representing 81 countries across the globe.

Wayne Higby, (ceramic artist, Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Art at Alfred University, and former Director of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum) is internationally recognized for his contributions to the ceramic arts. His work is held in the permanent collections of numerous art museums around the world and is the recipient of numerous awards, most recently The Smithsonian Institution's Visionary Award honoring his contributions in the field of ceramic art and education in April 2026. Higby is a member of Honor of the United States National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), a Life Trustee of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and the former Vice President of the International Academy of Ceramics, Geneva, Switzerland.

Ceramics Take Over Wheeling

We invite you to visit Wheeling, WV on February 25 - 28, 2027 for 4-days and 3-nights of amazing ceramic events! Attend workshops, sit in on a talk, explore the city with 10 exhibition openings and end your trip with our signature Pottery Throwdown. Visit our unique local restaurants and taverns, fall in love with Oglebay Park and Resort and all the historic charm Wheeling has to offer. There will be plenty to see and do. Lodging packages available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Check out our website for more information. ceramicstakeoverwheeling.com

Important dates:

• Exhibition dates: February 27 - April 10, 2027
• Deadline for entries: December 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Mountain Time)
• Juror’s Notification emailed by the week of: December 14, 2026
• Opening Reception: February 27, 2027 (6:30-8:30pm)
• Hand delivered drop off dates:
  January 18 - February 6, 2027
• Shipped works accepted January 1 – February 6, 2027 (Shipping is at the cost of the artist; return shipping label must be included)
  
  Ship to: Stifel Fine Arts Center, Earth & Fire 2027, 1330 National Road, Wheeling WV 26003)

• • Pick up dates after the close of the exhibit: April 14 - 18 or by arrangement (unsold work that was originally shipped will be shipped back to the artist after this period)

All entries must be completed online by 11:59 MDT on December 1, 2026 through CaFÈ. You will need to set up a free account at callforentry.org  (Questions about entries? Contact Keen Owen, Director at kowen@oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.

• All works must be made predominantly of clay and must be the original work of the artist. 

• A nonrefundable $35 entry fee is required at the time of application.

• Do Not Ship Work With Envelopes Full of Stamps. UPS / Fedex return labels, USPS Click-N-Ship only please.

• No large Installations will be accepted. (If in doubt, get in touch with Keen Owen, at kowen@oionline.com)

• Open to visual artists 18 years and older residing in the US.

• Artists may submit up to 2 works. Works must have been completed within the last two calendar years and not been previously exhibited at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. 

• All works must be for sale. Stifel Fine Arts Center will retain a 30% commission on the sale price.