This year’s readership-wide contest focuses on all manner of drinking vessels, from functional to sculptural. The artists’ cups, mugs, goblets, tumblers, tea bowls, and shot cups shared on the following pages demonstrate a wide range of explorations and aesthetics, and include both functional and sculptural vessels.

1 Eric Van Eimeren’s Hovercraft Mug, 4 in. (10 cm) in height, stoneware, fired to cone 6.

2 Eric Beavers’ steeping mug, 5 in. (13 cm) in height, pinch, coil, and slab-built stoneware, underglaze, fired to cone 5.

3 JoAnn Axford’s Wheat, Hops, and Brewers Yeast Beer Weizens, to 7 in. (18 cm) in height, slip-cast porcelain, unglazed, hand polished, fired to cone 6 in oxidation.

4 Julie Woodrow’s Skull Shot, 2½ in. (6 cm) in height, wheel-thrown and carved stoneware, underglaze, stain, 2018.

5 Kaitlyn Brennan’s puffy blue floral mug, 5 in. (13 cm) in width, wheel-thrown and altered red earthenware, slip, underglaze, clear glaze, fired to 1915°F (1046°C), 2018.

6 Mark Chuck’s trout yunomi, handbuilt porcelain, fired to cone 10 in reduction. 7 Julia Claire Weber’s mug, wheel-thrown and darted porcelain, slip-cast handle, undergaze stencil, mishima, hand-drawn china paint decals, fired to cone 6.

8 Andrew McIntyre’s striped mug, 4½ in. (11 cm) in height, ceramics, glaze. 9 Mike Cinelli’s Green Space Mug, 4½ in. (11 cm) in height, earthenware, terra sigillata, underglaze transfers, glaze, fired to cone 04 in an electric kiln.

10 Dallas Wooten’s cups, to 4¼ in. (11 cm) in diameter, colored porcelain, carved and inlaid decoration, glaze, reduction fired, 2017. Photo: Amanda Wilkey.

11a Chanakarn Semachai’s Dinobird Flower Knob Mug, 4½ in. (11 cm) in width, stoneware, underglaze, underglaze pencil, glaze, fired to cone 6 in oxidation, luster, 2018. 11b Chanakarn Semachai’s Navy Submarine double-handled mug, 6 in. (15 cm) in width, stoneware, underglaze, underglaze pencil, glaze, fired to cone 6 in oxidation, luster, 2017.

12 Nathan Bray’s colorful yunomi cups, terra cotta, slips, glaze, underglazes, fired to cone 3 in an electric kiln, gold luster fired to cone 019.

13 Jillian Cooper’s whiskey cup set, to 3 in. (8 cm) in height, stoneware, glaze, underglaze, multiple firings.

14 Ashley Kim’s thimbled cups with gloves and cage, white clay, underglazes, fired to cone 5, decals.

15 Ali Taj’s mugs, slab-built porcelain, gas fired in oxidation to cone 10, 2018.

16 Tony Young’s RIOT Skull Mug, ceramic, wheel thrown, fired to cone 5.

17a Emily Price’s Koi Pond, to 5 in. (13 cm) in height, wheel-thrown porcelain, hand painted, carved, mishima, underglaze, glaze, fired to cone 10 in a gas reduction kiln, 2018. 17b Emily Price’s Koi Pond (alternate view), to 5 in. (13 cm) in height, wheel-thrown porcelain, hand painted, carved, mishima, underglaze, glaze, fired to cone 10 in a gas reduction kiln, 2018.

18a Jess Palmer’s Martini Sippers, wheel-thrown and incised clay, fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln, 22k-gold luster, 2018.

18b Jess Palmer’s Petal Pillow Mug, wheel-thrown, stamped and sprigged with mishima linework, 22k gold luster, fired to cone 6, 2018.

19a Carly Slade’s Philly Love Trolley, 7 in. (18 cm) in height, ceramic, metal, 2018. 19b Carly Slade’s Philly Love Trolley (in use), 7 in. (18 cm) in height, ceramic, metal, 2018.

20 Posey Bacopoulos’ swirly footed cup, 5 in. (13 cm) in diameter, wheel thrown, altered, gold and silver decals.

21 Lucien Koonce’s black clay sake cup, 2½ in. (6 cm) in diameter, handformed and hollowed black stoneware clay, shino glaze, natural ash glaze, wood fired to cone 12.

22 Naomi Clement’s mug pair, to 4½ in. (11 cm) in height, handbuilt stoneware, underglaze, 2018. Photo: Steven Krause.

23 Seth Green’s cup, 5 in. (13 cm) in height, stoneware, reduction fired, 2016.

24 Tim Sherman’s blue ash mug, 3½ in. (9 cm) in height, wheel-thrown stoneware, applied and natural glazes, fired to cone 11 in an anagama, 2018.

Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
Topics: Ceramic Artists
Click the cover image to return to the Table of Contents

Related Content