When reviewing our annual readership-wide contest entries, our editorial team thoughtfully considered what qualifies as “bold” and discussed how both excess and restraint can be considered daring depending on the approach or context of each work. Selected from more than 530 entries, the 23 ceramic pieces that follow show bold steps forward in their use of material, color, surface, form, gesture, or scale. —Eds. 

Matt Mitros’ Flower Composition no.001, 16 in. (40.6 cm) in height, slip-cast and handbuilt clay, fired in oxidation to cone 6, wood, Plexiglas, fake shrubs.Pauly Maloney’s Guns Up, 10 in. (25.4 cm) in height, porcelain, glaze, slip, multiple firings in oxidation, gold luster, 2026.

Don Nakamura’s Watch, 35 in. (88.9 cm) in width, wheel-thrown and assembled clay, underglazes, glaze, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2025. Photo: John Carlano.

Sam McCall’s Trio of Ewers, to 12 in. (30.5 cm) in length, handbuilt and wheel-thrown iron-rich stoneware, fired to cone 9 in a gas kiln, cooled in reduction, 2026.

Jessika Edgar’s Flamenco Dancer, 21 in. (53.3 cm) in height, handbuilt red stoneware, fired to cone 10 in a soda kiln, glitter, Mod Podge, acrylic pearls, Preciosa crystals, 2025.

Mary Gattorna’s Set of Bookends (blue/pink/yellow), 6 in. (15.2 cm) in height (each), handbuilt stoneware, sprayed stained porcelain slip, underglaze, textural glazes, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2025.

Rebecca Zweibel’s Signal Keeper, 14 in. (35.6 cm) in height, stoneware, fired to cone 5 in an electric kiln, 2026.Luiza Furia’s In the Raw, 12½ in. (31.8 cm) in diameter, porcelain, Mason stain, clear glaze, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2026.

Michael Ware’s Sour Goose, 24 in. (61 cm) in length, colored porcelain, glaze, fired in oxidation to cone 10, 2024.

Corinna Cowles’ Triple Pour Party Pitcher, 18 in. (45.7 cm) in width, stoneware, airbrushed and brushed underglaze, underglaze pastel, acrylic, glaze, 2026.

Jennifer Masley’s Spike, 22 in. (55.9 cm) in height, porcelain, glaze, underglaze, 2026.

Jay Owens’ Church and State, 3 ft. (91.4 cm) in height, earthenware sculpture clay with kyanite, glazes, fired to cone 04, 2024.Jay Owens’ Church and State (alternate view), 3 ft. (91.4 cm) in height, earthenware sculpture clay with kyanite, glazes, fired to cone 04, 2024.

Susan Mentrak’s Femininity Wears Me, 19 in. (48.3 cm) in length, Standard 266 stoneware, colored slip, underglaze, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2024.

Karyn Gabriel’s Ripple, 12½ in. (31.8 cm) in diameter, handbuilt stoneware, fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln, 2025. Photo: John Janca.

Ali Hval’s Sugared Sweets Are The Devil’s Treats, 58 in. (1.5 m) in length, stoneware, fired to cone 01, acrylic, rhinestones, nail polish, fabric, vinyl, faux fur, wood, 2024–2025.

Kate Sutter’s Poof Study no. 14, 17 in. (43.2 cm) in length, ceramic foam, coil-built base with ceramic-foam dots, low-fired in a gas kiln, 2025.

Justin Rothshank’s Vases with Steel Structure, to 11 in. (28 cm) in height, earthenware, porcelain slip, steel structure, underglaze, fired to cone 3 in a soda kiln, 2026.Reilly Deller’s Smile Like A Pretty Girl, 3 ft. (91.4 cm) in height, colored stoneware, glaze, fired in oxidation, Nichrome wire, patronizing commentary, porcelain molars, 2026.

Joana Aleixo’s Dialogues, 5 ft. 2 in. (1.6 m) in length, black stoneware, black iron oxide, fired to 2228°F (1220°C), protective wax, steel, 2026. Photo: Maria João Gonçalves.

Karly Kennedy’s Rainbow Stripe Platform Platter, 15 in. (38 cm) in length, stoneware, glaze, copper oxide, fired to cone 8 in a soda kiln. Photo: Celia Feldberg.

Shana Twardzik-Heine’s Horde Couture, 15 in. (38.1 cm) in height, head: hand-sculpted paper clay, underglazes; fabric and wig: old t-shirts, socks, underwear dipped in colored slip, mid-fired, 2025.

Sukanjana (Eve) Kanjanabat’s Threaded Porcelain #26, 25 in. (63 cm) in diameter, porcelain, fabric, colored stain, fired in oxidation to 2264°F (1240°C), 2026. Photo: Huang Yu Min.

Kyle Johns’ Gravitic Drift, 23 in. (58.4 cm) in height, slip-cast pigmented porcellaneous stoneware, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2026. Photo: Andrew Castañeda.Kyle Johns’ Gravitic Drift (detail), 23 in. (58.4 cm) in height, slip-cast pigmented porcellaneous stoneware, fired in oxidation to cone 6, 2026. Photo: Andrew Castañeda.

 

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