Twice a year, the ACGA reviews applications from California clay and glass artists for lifetime eligibility to exhibit at our annual ACGA Clay & Glass Festival in Palo Alto, one of the largest and most prestigious craft festivals in the US. Artists submit images of their work, artist statements, and bios and are carefully reviewed by a jury of seasoned Festival artists, scored on design, craftsmanship, and personal vision. It is a rigorous review and the artists selected are exceptional.
Look for these artists at our 2025 ACGA Clay & Glass Festival in Palo Alto, July 12-13.
READ MORE!
ICEX Visiting Artist Announcement: Yoo Sung Ceramics
Journey through the Black and White Postcards Heritage of the American Ceramic Industry,by Guangzhen Zhou, Rachel Zhou
Interviews with ACGA members Gustavo Santana and Tiffany Schmierer
ABOVE BOARD | THE ARTFUL DINING EXPERIENCE
ACGA, SJCGA, AND CLAY HAND STUDIOS SET THE TABLE
ABOVE BOARD | THE ARTFUL DINING EXPERIENCE, opened thursday evening at Clay Hand Studios Gallery amid 104F temperatures along Fresno’s historic Gallery Row, a string of upscale art galleries and the original hub of Fresno’s Art Hop.
Above Board lays out a table dressed with the artwork of forty California clay and glass artists, representing the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California, The San Joaquin Clay and Glass Association, and Clay Hand Studios. From place settings to serving dishes, candelabra and teapots, banquet lamps and vases, the gallery is alive with beautiful work and imaginative interpretations.
Despite the triple digit heat, unusual for this late in the year, attendance was robust. Our esteemed juror, Michele Pracy, Director of the Fresno Art Museum presented the ACGA awards at 6pm. Cheryl Costantini of Nichibei Potters in Sebastopol was awarded Best Clay for her Nesting Set of Five Shell Bowls and Glenn Evans of Creator Haven in Watsonville won Best Glass for his Salad/Serving Bowl in Fall Colors. Pracy selected a hand built tea set by Julie Taber of Altadena for the Juror’s Award.
CLAY HAND STUDIOS HOSTS EXHIBITION,
SAN JOAQUIN CLAY & GLASS ASSOCIATION PARTNERS IN PLANNING
As part of our initiative to expand awareness and participation within the state of California, the ACGA Exhibitions Committee has undertaken to coordinate regional clay and glass exhibitions that will make our members’ work more accessible to audiences. The first of these is ABOVE BOARD: The Artful Dining Experience, opening October 3 during Fresno Art Hop, at Clay Hand Studios on Gallery Row in Fresno.
ACGA Members who are represented in the Above Board exhibit are:
ACGA members represented in this exhibition include: Cory Ballis, Christine Byrne, Glenn Evans, Jane Grimm, Margaret Grisz-Dow, Bill Heiderich, Iver Hennig, Sally Jackson, Britt Jensen, Chris Johnson, Kliss Glass, Tom Knight, Miriam Kronbach, Antonia Lawson, Ren Lee, Loren Lukens, Caroline Masters, Lee Middleman, Vince Montague,  Nichibei Potters, Barbara Glynn Prodaniuk, Susie Rubenstein, Jan Schachter, Cynthia Siegel, Randie Silverstein, Mayetta Steier, Deborah Sullivan, Julie Taber, Janet Wolf, Emil Yanos, and April Zilber.
Fantastic!
Our 31st Annual ACGA Clay & Glass Festival was a whirl-wind of fantastic art, fascinating artists, fun events, friendly folk, and perfect weather!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our Second Annual People’s Choice Award Winners were Bob Kliss of Kliss Glass in Fresno and Khaled Nikro, affiliated with Higher Fire Clay-Space in San Jose.
THROWDOWN!
Our very first ACGA Throwdown Contest was a huge success, with avid enthusiasm from our intrepid contestants from studios all around the Bay Area and beyond!
Our 31st ACGA Clay & Glass Festival in Palo Alto was fantastic, thanks to our talented festival artists.
— Mari Emori
Get ready for a vibrant celebration of clay and glass artistry!
The very fun and fabulous ACGA Clay & Glass Festival
Returning to the Palo Alto Art Center this weekend with over 120 extraordinary juried artists showing one of a kind, handmade clay and glass art. There will be a dramatic throwdown competition, live wheel-throwing and ikebana demonstrations, hands-on activities for all ages, and a variety of food and beverage options enhance the festival atmosphere.
Hosted by the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California (ACGA) and the Palo Alto Art Center, this two-day festival is a great way to spend the day, collect some treasures, and support local artists.
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Sunday, July 14, 2024
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM both days
Rain or Shine
LOCATION:
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA
GET READY FOR THE THROWDOWN!
CLAY ARTISTS TO COMPETE IN REAL TIME AT FESTIVAL!
The highly anticipated ACGA Clay & Glass Festival will return to the Palo Alto Art Center on July 13-14, 2024. Hosted by the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California (ACGA) and the Palo Alto Art Center, this two-day event promises an immersive experience celebrating the finest in clay and glass artistry.
ACGA Annual Clay and Glass Festival
July 13 & 14 – 10am – 5pm
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA
See the new class of ACGA Festival Eligible Members!
Read the June Newsletter and Learn More!
SAVE THE DATE! ACGA Annual Clay and Glass Festival
July 13 & 14 –
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA
See the new class of ACGA Festival Eligible Members!
Read the May Newsletter and Learn More!
SAVE THE DATE! ACGA Annual Clay and Glass Festival
July 13 & 14
Interviews:
Hannah Nicholson
& Alana van Altena
NICHOLSON VAN ALTENA GLASS
Board Member:
Sonja Hinrichsen
SOURCE MATERIAL
ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY FUELS 10 YEARS OF WOOD-FIRE RESIDENCY AND EDUCATION
Adventures in Art and Physics
VISUALIZING THE BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE FROM NOTHING
A collaboration between Glass Artist Chris Johnson and Physicist Ross Greenwood, PhD
ILLUMINATING PERSPECTIVES: Exploring Light in Innovative Art