MATERIAL WITNESS

Saratoga Clay Arts Center seeks submissions for its 8th annual national juried exhibition,  MATERIAL WITNESS, to be juried by MO potter Mike Stumbras.

This juried/invitational exhibition seeks to find ways that functional ceramic objects can serve as vehicles for influence, identity, politics, culture, or personal experience. Juror Mike Stumbras is seeking contemporary ceramics that look beyond raw utility to explore the histories, politics, or personal narratives that can be embedded in functional forms. Stumbras states, “Contrary to mass-market objects, utilitarian handmade pots are rarely a passive backdrop to daily life. In fact, it seems to me that one of the defining characteristics of American contemporary studio ceramics is an embrace of plurality in opposition to hierarchy. 

Invited artists include Juan Burroso, Adam Chau, Jennifer Ling Datchuck, and Margaret Bohls.

Saratoga Clay Arts Center seeks submissions for its 8th annual national juried exhibition,  MATERIAL WITNESS, to be juried by MO potter Mike Stumbras. 

This juried/invitational exhibition seeks to find ways that functional objects can serve as vehicles for influence, identity, politics, culture, or personal experience. Juror Mike Stumbras is seeking contemporary ceramics that look beyond raw utility to explore the histories, politics, or personal narratives that can be embedded in functional forms. Stumbras states, “Contrary to mass-market objects, utilitarian handmade pots are rarely a passive backdrop to daily life. In fact, it seems to me that one of the defining characteristics of American contemporary studio ceramics is an embrace of plurality in opposition to hierarchy.  

“This call invites artists to submit functional objects that serve as active vehicles for personal expression and social dialogue. I am looking for works where a vessel is intentionally crafted to carry identity, critique contemporary culture, or convey intimate human experience. How does your work use the familiar language of domestic objects to address larger societal systems or personal truths? Submissions should demonstrate a mastery of the ceramic medium while pushing the conceptual boundaries of craft, proving that everyday objects can also be profound objects of soft power.” 

Additionally, four artists have been invited to exhibit their work alongside those juried in. Participating invited artists include: Juan Burroso, Adam Chau, Jennifer Ling Datchuck, and Margaret Bohls.

ELIGIBILITY  
MATERIAL WITNESS is open to all artists over 18 residing within the United States and Canada.  Works must be primarily ceramic.

FEES $30 per entry (for up to 3 works) 

PRIZES  There are two monetary prizes. Juror's Choice ($300) and Director's Choice ($100). Winners will be chosen and revealed at the opening reception and on social media.

ENTRY PROCEDURES Applications will be accepted online only; www.callforentry.com Submission begins October 26, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027.

Applicants are asked to provide a biography, artist statement, and for each work, title, description (medium/process), dimensions and retail price.

NOTIFICATION will be sent through callforentry.com after February 15, 2027. Accepted artists will also receive follow up communication from leigh@saratogaclayarts.org after acceptance letters have been emailed from Café.

ACCEPTED WORKS WILL BE DUE TO SARATOGA CLAY ARTS CENTER BY APRIL 24, 2027.

Material Witness is open to all artists over 18 residing within the United States and Canada.  Works must be primarily ceramic.