California, Roseville (February 6–28, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18. Blue Line Arts is looking for works that are “off center” in every sense—art that challenges, surprises, and reframes the role of ceramics in contemporary art. All work must be original, created within the last two years, and for sale. Contact: Blue Line Arts, gallery@bluelinearts.org; bluelinearts.org.
January 15, 2026 entry deadline The Botanical Vessel
New York, Schuylerville (May 9–June 13, 2026) Open to US and Canadian artists over the age of 18. Open to functional or decorative ceramic work that reflects the beauty, complexity, and vitality of plant life. All work must be for sale. Contact: Saratoga Clay Arts Center; leigh@saratogaclayarts.org; saratogaclayarts.org.
January 23, 2026 entry deadline Contemporary Clay: 11th International Biennial Juried Exhibit 2026
Colorado, Grand Junction (May 28, 2026–June 26, 2027) Open to artists over the age of 18. Artists may submit three works that use clay as the primary material. Submissions may include: functional vessels, sculptural ceramics, and installation art. All work must be original, created within the last two years, and not previously exhibited at The Art Center of Western Colorado. Contact: Terry Shepherd, Art Center of Western Colorado, tshepherd@gjartcenter.org; gjartcenter.org.
January 30, 2026 entry deadline Last Call XI: Handmade Ceramics for Storing, Pouring, & Sipping Fine Libations
Tennessee, Humboldt (March 6–April 10, 2026) Open to US and Canadian artists over the age of 21. Work should be focused on contemporary handmade ceramic barware. Eligible works include functional ceramic pieces designed for storing, pouring, and sipping libations. Contact: Companion Gallery, companiongalleryapps@gmail.com; companiongallery.com.
united states exhibitions
January 4, 2026 entry deadline Rooted in Relations–Authenticity and the Power of Indigenous Sovereignty
Arizona, Mesa (February 4–April 2, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18. This call welcomes emerging and established Native artists whose works embody contemporary and traditional expressions of Indigenous artistry. Original works in all media will be considered, including but not limited to: drawing, painting, photography, fiberwork, beadwork, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, graphic and digital arts, spoken or written word, video, music, fashion and works that re-engage with ancestral practices. Applicants will be asked to state in their own words how they identify as a Native artist. Contact: Tracey Blocker, Mesa Community College Art Gallery; tracey.blocker@mesacc.edu; mesacc.edu/arts/venues/art-gallery.
January 9, 2026 entry deadline 2026 Young Sculptors Exhibition
New York, New York (March 2–April 24, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18, but under 30. Artists are asked to submit their very best sculpture(s) for this exhibition. Sculptures may be in any permanent medium. Terracotta, Plaster, Ceramic, and works in other fragile materials will be considered. Works of all sizes will be considered, including reliefs. Works must not exceed 100 pounds and fit through a standard door. Contact: Patty Delahanty, National Sculpture Society; exhibitions@nationalsculpture.org; nationalsculpture.org.
January 12, 2026 entry deadline Afternoon Tea
Pennsylvania, Brockway (February 20–March 27, 2026) Open to US artists over the age of 18. Open to objects associated with the ritual of afternoon tea— teapots, saucers, plates, creamers, sugar spoons, trays, strainers, and more. Open to work not previously exhibited at BCAT. Contact: Andy Benson, Brockway Center for Arts & Technology; andy.benson@brockwaycat.org; brockwaycatart.org.
February 22, 2026 entry deadline Feats of Clay 2026 National Competition
California, Lincoln (April 23–May 31, 2026) Open to US artists over the age of 18. 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. All work must be for sale. Contact: Art League of Lincoln; orodriguez@artleagueoflincoln.com; artleagueoflincoln.com.
regional exhibitions
January 9, 2026 entry deadline Earthworks: Evolution
Massachusetts, Concord (April 29–June 28, 2026) This exhibition is open to all works that use clay as the primary medium, both functional and sculptural. Open to artists currently residing or working in New England. Contact: Zachary Mickelson, The Umbrella Arts Center; zachary@theumbrellaarts.org; theumbrellaarts.org/earthworks.
February 9, 2026 entry deadline Home Improvements–The Functional Art Show
Illinois, St. Charles (March 26–May 8, 2026) This exhibit will include art that serves a purpose. Each item, thoughtfully designed and skillfully created, is intended for use. All forms of media are welcome, but must be functional in nature. Open to artists 18 years or older who reside in one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. All works must be original, for sale, and not shown at Fine Line in the last three years. Contact: Kavanagh Gallery, The Fine Line Creative Arts Center; gallery@fineline.org; fineline.org.
fairs, festivals, and more
January 9, 2026 entry deadline Taste of the Arts
South Carolina, Beaufort (May 1–2, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18 who reside in South Carolina and Georgia. All submitted work must be original and created by the artist. No mass-produced, resale, or AI-generated work will be accepted. Original handmade clay and porcelain works. No machine-made or mass-produced pieces permitted. Each piece of similar design must be individually signed. Wearable ceramics must be juried under Jewelry. Contact: City of Beaufort; ssutton@cityofbeaufort.org; atasteofbeaufort.com.
January 15, 2026 entry deadline 57th Street Art Fair 2026
Illinois, Chicago (June 6–7, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18. Open to one-of-a-kind functional and sculptural works. Contact: Catriona Fraser, 57th Street Art Fair; 57thstartfair@gmail.com; 57thstreetartfair.org.
July 15, 2026 entry deadline FAVA’s Art Fair in the Square 2026
Ohio, Oberlin (September 12, 2026) Open to artists over the age of 18. Open to original clay and porcelain, functional and sculptural works. All work must be original and handcrafted. Applicants must be an artist, guild, art club, or craftsperson. Contact: The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA); kathleen@fava.org; favagallery.org.
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international exhibitions
January 2, 2026 entry deadline
Off Center 2026
California, Roseville (February 6–28, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18. Blue Line Arts is looking for works that are “off center” in every sense—art that challenges, surprises, and reframes the role of ceramics in contemporary art. All work must be original, created within the last two years, and for sale.
Contact: Blue Line Arts, gallery@bluelinearts.org; bluelinearts.org.
January 15, 2026 entry deadline
The Botanical Vessel
New York, Schuylerville (May 9–June 13, 2026)
Open to US and Canadian artists over the age of 18. Open to functional or decorative ceramic work that reflects the beauty, complexity, and vitality of plant life. All work must be for sale.
Contact: Saratoga Clay Arts Center; leigh@saratogaclayarts.org; saratogaclayarts.org.
January 23, 2026 entry deadline
Contemporary Clay: 11th International Biennial Juried Exhibit 2026
Colorado, Grand Junction (May 28, 2026–June 26, 2027)
Open to artists over the age of 18. Artists may submit three works that use clay as the primary material. Submissions may include: functional vessels, sculptural ceramics, and installation art. All work must be original, created within the last two years, and not previously exhibited at The Art Center of Western Colorado.
Contact: Terry Shepherd, Art Center of Western Colorado, tshepherd@gjartcenter.org; gjartcenter.org.
January 30, 2026 entry deadline
Last Call XI: Handmade Ceramics for Storing, Pouring, & Sipping Fine Libations
Tennessee, Humboldt (March 6–April 10, 2026)
Open to US and Canadian artists over the age of 21. Work should be focused on contemporary handmade ceramic barware. Eligible works include functional ceramic pieces designed for storing, pouring, and sipping libations.
Contact: Companion Gallery, companiongalleryapps@gmail.com; companiongallery.com.
united states exhibitions
January 4, 2026 entry deadline
Rooted in Relations–Authenticity and the Power of Indigenous Sovereignty
Arizona, Mesa (February 4–April 2, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18. This call welcomes emerging and established Native artists whose works embody contemporary and traditional expressions of Indigenous artistry. Original works in all media will be considered, including but not limited to: drawing, painting, photography, fiberwork, beadwork, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, graphic and digital arts, spoken or written word, video, music, fashion and works that re-engage with ancestral practices. Applicants will be asked to state in their own words how they identify as a Native artist.
Contact: Tracey Blocker, Mesa Community College Art Gallery; tracey.blocker@mesacc.edu; mesacc.edu/arts/venues/art-gallery.
January 9, 2026 entry deadline
2026 Young Sculptors Exhibition
New York, New York (March 2–April 24, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18, but under 30. Artists are asked to submit their very best sculpture(s) for this exhibition. Sculptures may be in any permanent medium. Terracotta, Plaster, Ceramic, and works in other fragile materials will be considered. Works of all sizes will be considered, including reliefs. Works must not exceed 100 pounds and fit through a standard door.
Contact: Patty Delahanty, National Sculpture Society; exhibitions@nationalsculpture.org; nationalsculpture.org.
January 12, 2026 entry deadline
Afternoon Tea
Pennsylvania, Brockway (February 20–March 27, 2026)
Open to US artists over the age of 18. Open to objects associated with the ritual of afternoon tea— teapots, saucers, plates, creamers, sugar spoons, trays, strainers, and more. Open to work not previously exhibited at BCAT.
Contact: Andy Benson, Brockway Center for Arts & Technology; andy.benson@brockwaycat.org; brockwaycatart.org.
February 22, 2026 entry deadline
Feats of Clay 2026 National Competition
California, Lincoln (April 23–May 31, 2026)
Open to US artists over the age of 18. 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. All work must be for sale.
Contact: Art League of Lincoln; orodriguez@artleagueoflincoln.com; artleagueoflincoln.com.
regional exhibitions
January 9, 2026 entry deadline
Earthworks: Evolution
Massachusetts, Concord (April 29–June 28, 2026)
This exhibition is open to all works that use clay as the primary medium, both functional and sculptural. Open to artists currently residing or working in New England.
Contact: Zachary Mickelson, The Umbrella Arts Center; zachary@theumbrellaarts.org; theumbrellaarts.org/earthworks.
February 9, 2026 entry deadline
Home Improvements–The Functional Art Show
Illinois, St. Charles (March 26–May 8, 2026)
This exhibit will include art that serves a purpose. Each item, thoughtfully designed and skillfully created, is intended for use. All forms of media are welcome, but must be functional in nature. Open to artists 18 years or older who reside in one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. All works must be original, for sale, and not shown at Fine Line in the last three years.
Contact: Kavanagh Gallery, The Fine Line Creative Arts Center; gallery@fineline.org; fineline.org.
fairs, festivals, and more
January 9, 2026 entry deadline
Taste of the Arts
South Carolina, Beaufort (May 1–2, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18 who reside in South Carolina and Georgia. All submitted work must be original and created by the artist. No mass-produced, resale, or AI-generated work will be accepted. Original handmade clay and porcelain works. No machine-made or mass-produced pieces permitted. Each piece of similar design must be individually signed. Wearable ceramics must be juried under Jewelry.
Contact: City of Beaufort; ssutton@cityofbeaufort.org; atasteofbeaufort.com.
January 15, 2026 entry deadline
57th Street Art Fair 2026
Illinois, Chicago (June 6–7, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18. Open to one-of-a-kind functional and sculptural works.
Contact: Catriona Fraser, 57th Street Art Fair; 57thstartfair@gmail.com; 57thstreetartfair.org.
July 15, 2026 entry deadline
FAVA’s Art Fair in the Square 2026
Ohio, Oberlin (September 12, 2026)
Open to artists over the age of 18. Open to original clay and porcelain, functional and sculptural works. All work must be original and handcrafted. Applicants must be an artist, guild, art club, or craftsperson.
Contact: The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA); kathleen@fava.org; favagallery.org.
January 2026: Table of Contents
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