Claymakers' Gallery

Claymakers Gallery specializes in contemporary studio pottery and ceramic art. Changing exhibits feature the diverse work of our region. North Carolina has a long history in the clay arts, with a wealth of exceptional ceramic artists and potters who are national leaders and teachers. Claymakers Gallery makes their work available in the Triangle through special exhibits featuring invited artists, as well as through regular showing of artists in Claymakers' immediate community. It's the perfect place to explore the possibilities of clay -- and to find a unique gift!

2017 Exhibit Schedule

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The Potters' Penguin Project
January 10 - February 11

The Potters’ Penguin Project is a community project to create and exhibit >1500 clay penguins, bringing the distant impacts of climate change home to makers and viewers. The show at Claymakers consists of nearly 2000 clay penguins created by 400+ participants. Most penguins originated in the NC Triangle area, but contributions to the exhibit come from as far west as Arizona and as far east as Spain and Germany.

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Mark Gordon: Material of Invention
February 17 - April 15

Mark Gordon’s ceramic and mixed-media sculptures, shown in “Material of Invention,” echo ancient vessels, architectural fragments, bio-morphology, or are composed of the simple, juxtaposition of three-dimensional geometries. In them, Gordon considers and develops his impressions of many modes of clay work – from brick making to primitive and contemporary pottery – that he gathered in places as disparate as the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Spain, Brazil, and New Zealand.
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Bailey Arend:  Vestiges
April 21 -May 13

Bailey Arend combines ceramic work and raw clay in his installation, “Vestiges,” and creates a touchstone for reflection on the human role within the infinite web of nature.   Arend’s work often explores the human body’s role as an instrument of measurement and expression relative to other forces in the world, and studies the physical motions and gestures fundamental to record keeping and art making. “Vestiges” brings together relics of prior human presence with the formation of fragile, new actions and their traces.

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Completing the installation for "Vestiges"
On Saturday, April 22,  students and volunteers worked with Arend to construct "Path," the raw clay portion of the exhibit, "Vestiges." "Path" creates a mirror to fired work on the opposite side of the gallery; seen together, the two halves form an extended figure eight composed of both fired and raw clay footprints.

Watch a video of the process here.
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Finished with Flame
May 30 – July 30

Three-person show featuring the wood-fired stoneware of
Durham area potters Julie Jones, Matt Hallyburton, & Curry Wilkinson.

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"5th Annual Steinfest"  - Exhibit of Contemporary Ceramic Beer Steins
September 29 - November 11

Claymakers’ "5th Annual Steinfest" showcases over 200 modern interpretations of the German stein, and features 60 ceramic artists from across the US and Canada.  Now an annual event, the show brings people in the creative community together around local makers, craft beer, and the work of a distinctive group of nationally recognized potters.

Past Shows

Claymakers Arts Community, Inc.,  705 Foster St., Durham, NC  27701