Feats of Clay 2027 National Competition

The Art League of Lincoln is pleased to announce the Feats of Clay 2027 National Art Show and Competition. The internationally renowned clay competition was founded by artist, Ray Gonzales, in 1987 and was held annually through 2011 at the Gladding, McBean Clay Factory in Lincoln, CA.  In 2024 the exhibit returned regionally, and since has been a national competition. We are honored to have Ray Gonzales return this year as curator. The Feats of Clay 2027 National Competition will be exhibited at the Art League of Lincoln gallery at 580 Sixth St. in Lincoln, California.

Michelle Gregor, an established and respected ceramic artist, will be the juror for this contest. Considered a leading figure in the second generation of Bay Area Figuration, Gregor is a multifaceted artist who works in clay, bronze, paint and drawing media, handling each medium with a process-oriented and intuitive approach that results in painterly forms and images. 

The Art League of Lincoln is pleased to announce the Feats of Clay 2027 National Art Show and Competition. The internationally renowned clay competition was founded by artist, Ray Gonzales, in 1987 and was held annually through 2011 at the Gladding, McBean Clay Factory in Lincoln, CA.  In 2024 the exhibit returned regionally, and since has been a national competition. We are honored to have Ray Gonzales return this year as curator. The Feats of Clay 2027 National Competition will be exhibited at the Art League of Lincoln gallery at 580 Sixth St. in Lincoln, California.

Michelle Gregor, an established and respected ceramic artist, will be the juror for this contest. Considered a leading figure in the second generation of Bay Area Figuration, Gregor is a multifaceted artist who works in clay, bronze, paint and drawing media, handling each medium with a process-oriented and intuitive approach that results in painterly forms and images. She has a masterful, intuitive sense of color that unifies her productions in various media and endows all of her work with a painterly vigor that reflects her Bay Area roots and also her deep understanding of Abstract Expressionism.

A total of $6,500 in cash prizes will be awarded for 1st Prize ($1,000), 2nd Prize, ($600), 3rd Prize ($400), in addition to two Honorable Mentions Prizes ($100), a Founder’s Award ($100), a People’s Choice Award ($100), and several Merit and Purchase Awards.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

All types of ceramic works are encouraged for submission: sculptural, functional, tiles, vessels, and all types of clay and firing techniques (with a minimum of 50% ceramic clay) will be considered. Submissions must be the original work of the artist. Maximum dimensions are approximately 2’ x 2’.  Registration for entry will be on CaFE.

All artwork submitted must be gallery ready to install, and if wall art, inclusive of integral wire installed for hanging the work based on its size and weight. Work that is not for sale may be submitted. Please do not submit any piece that is too fragile to ship, or that requires assembly. The Art League will provide pedestals. The Art League will not be responsible for damage that occurs during shipment. The Artist is responsible for all costs associated with shipping. All return SHIPPING LABELS must be received WITH artwork shipments and not sent separately.

Up to three pieces of artwork may be submitted for consideration. The entry fee is $40 for up to 3 pieces. Art League of Lincoln Members receive a 70/30 commission split (70% to the artist), and Non-Members receive 50/50 (50% to the artist).  Click HERE to become a member.

SUBMISSION TIMELINE

·         ENTRY DEADLINE: March 14, 2027.  Entry application and payment must be received by this date.   All submissions must be via the CaFE system. Received work must match the image submitted online exactly. No substitutions will be accepted.

·         NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTED ART: April 1, 2027. Acceptance notice issuance due date.

·         ART DELIVERY (Incoming): Art must be either shipped or delivered in person as follows:

o   Shipped Art:  April 28, 2027. All artwork must be received via shipment by this date*.

o   Delivered in Person: April 24, 2027, 10:00am to 3:00pm or Monday, April 27th, 2027, 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Art League of Lincoln, 580 Sixth Street, Lincoln, CA  95648.

*Do not ship your artwork to our physical gallery address.  Your Acceptance Notice will include the shipping address.

EXHIBIT DATES

·         Show Opening: May 7, 2027, Friday

·         Show Closing:  June 20 2027, Sunday

o   Hours of operation are Friday through Sunday 11:00am to 3:00pm.

·         VIP Private Reception:  May 7, 2027, Friday, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

·         Public Reception:  May 7, 2027, Friday, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

·         Extended Hours: May 22, 2027, 10:00am to 4pm

ART PICK-UP (Outgoing): Artwork may be picked up on the following days:

·         Afternoon/Evening Pick-Up: June 21, 2027, Monday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm, or

·         Morning/Afternoon Pick-up: June 22, 2027, Tuesday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

Shipped work will be returned to the artist within 3 weeks of the show closing date at the artist’s expense via prepaid shipping label to be sent WITH the artwork prior to exhibit opening.

Art League of Lincoln requests that if you are unable to pick up your artwork during the allotted times, that you make arrangements to have it picked up for you.

Artists are encouraged to become members or of our community arts organization to support future Feats of Clay Exhibits.

Digital images of the artwork must be submitted through the CaFE online submission system.

All artwork submitted must be delivered gallery-ready to install, and if wall art, inclusive of integral wire installed for hanging. Work that is not for sale may be submitted. The Art League will provide pedestals. 

Feats of Clay is open to work which is made primarily of ceramic clay. Both 3-D and wall art are eligible. All types of ceramic works are encouraged for submission: sculptural, functional, tiles, vessels, and all types of clay and firing techniques (with a minimum of 50% ceramic clay) will be considered. Submissions must be the original work of the artist. Maximum dimensions are approximately 2’ x 2’