COLLECTING CERAMIC ART & POTTERY
Ceramic art is a form of visual art made from clay that is shaped, fired, and often glazed to create decorative or functional objects. It is one of the oldest art forms, dating back thousands of years, and is found in cultures worldwide. Ceramic art includes pottery, sculptures, tiles, and other clay-based works.
Ceramic art encompasses various forms, each with unique characteristics. Pottery includes functional and decorative vessels such as bowls, vases, and plates. Sculpture involves three-dimensional artistic figures or abstract forms. Tiles and mosaics are commonly used for decoration in architecture and interior design. Porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware represent different types of ceramics, distinguished by their clay composition and firing temperatures.
Several techniques are used in ceramic art. Hand-building involves shaping clay manually through coiling, slab construction, or pinch techniques. Wheel-throwing utilizes a potter's wheel to create symmetrical vessels. Glazing and firing complete the process by applying a glass-like coating and heating the piece in a kiln to achieve durability and finish. Ceramic art blends functionality with artistic expression, ranging from ancient pottery to contemporary sculptures.
This curated list of art resources highlights the field of ceramic art, featuring galleries and educational materials such as books, museums, and other references to deepen your understanding. If you have any suggestions for improving this online resource, we'd love to hear from you.
Galleries Specializing in Ceramics
Selection of well-informed art galleries:
- Clay Work Studio — Ann Arbor, MI
- Baltimore Clayworks — Baltimore, MD
- Belger Arts Center — Kansas City, MO
- Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd. — New York, NY
- Duane Reed Gallery — St. Louis, MO
- Ferrin Gallery — Pittsfield, MA
- Foster/White Gallery — Seattle, WA
- Frank Lloyd Gallery — Pasadena, CA
- Gandee Gallery — Fabius NY
- In Tandem Gallery — Bakersville, NC
- Jason Jacques Gallery — New York, NY
- Jeffrey Spahn Gallery — San Francisco, CA
- Lucy Lacoste Gallery — Concord, MA
- Onishi Gallery — New York, NY
- Plinth Gallery — Denver, CO
- Pucker Gallery — Boston, MA
- Studio Tashtego — Cold Spring, NY
- Trax Gallery — Berkeley, CA
- Volume Gallery — Chicago, IL
Events Related to Ceramic Art
NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts)
Annual Conference, March 25 - 28, 2026, location Detroit, MI
Articles About Collecting Ceramics
None at this time.
Museums with Important Ceramic Collections
- Alfred Ceramic Art Museum — Alfred, NY
- American Museum of Ceramic Art
- ASU Ceramics Research Center — Tempe, AZ
- Craft Contemporary — Los Angeles, CA
- Cranbrook Art Museum — Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Daum Museum of Contemporary Art — Sedalia, MO
- Fuller Craft Museum — Brockton, MA
- Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum — Mesa, AZ
- The Mint Museum — Charlotte, NC
- Museum of Ceramic Art / NY
- The Museum of Ceramics
- Museum of Craft and Design — San Francisco, CA
- The Ohio Craft Museum — Columbus, OH
- Ohr-Okeefe Museum of Art — Biloxi, MS
- San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts — San Angelo, TX
- Stanley Museum of Art — Iowa City, IA
- Stoke Museums — England
- Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie — Trenton, NJ
- Zanesville Museum of Art — Zanesville, OH
Books on Ceramic Art
For the most recent books, check with a local bookstore or one of the Art Bookstores around the country. Powell's Books in Portland, OR is a very good source for new and used art books. Your local library can also be a valuable resource for research and discovering art books.
Magazines About Ceramics & Art
Ceramic Resources
Blogs and Online News About Ceramics
Help Us Improve
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