Form and Function
NCECA: Current
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm St.
Limited areas open to public free of charge, registration required to access for presentations at www. nceca.net.
Arts organizations and galleries throughout the region have ceramics exhibitions during the conference. Find more at nceca.net/2023-exhibitions.
“This is the first time since 1990 that Cincinnati is drawing NCECA to the Queen City and we couldn’t be more excited” said Calcagno Cullen, 2023 onsite conference co-liaison for National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and the founder and executive director of Wave Pool.
Cincinnati hosts the 57th annual conference of NCECA conference from March 15–18. The range of experiences and exhibitions during the event include exhibitions at dozens of locations throughout the region, from the ArtsWave to the Taft Museum of Art.
The Taft and the CAC will both have extended hours on Friday, March 17, 2023, showcasing works by Black ceramicists. Both venues will be open from 5–8 p.m. with cash bar, light bites, and the chance to shop in the gift shops. The events are free and include access to the museums’ additional galleries.
The ceramics conference comes to Cincinnati after plans to host in 2021 were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the event moved online. NCECA is dedicated to sustaining “a community for ceramic art, teaching, and learning,” according to their website. The three-day conference offers presentations, networking, and exhibitions throughout the host city.
Many of the exhibitions will be open to the public free of charge, allowing more people to experience the continuing evolution of human-kind’s most enduring art form. Core conference programming, which includes panel discussions, keynotes and other educational opportunities, will take place at the Duke Energy Convention Center.
Mayor Aftab Pureval and Councilmember Reggie Harris will welcome NCECA to town during the opening night ceremony on Wednesday, March 15 at 8:30 p.m., followed by a performance of ceramicists, poets, and musicians to explore the theme, We At the Wheel, based on the writing of artist Ted Randall using clay as a metaphor for shaping the community's future. UnderWorld Black Arts Festival director Napoleon Maddox will be joined by Johnny Ruzsa, Dan Barger, Brent Olds, Isaiah Cook, Camille Jones, Anaya Nikole, and Dawn Crooks for the performance.
“We’re thrilled to welcome attendees to engage with Cincinnati’s vibrant and creative arts community,” adds artist and educator, Pam Kravetz, who is working with Calcagno as the event co-liaison.