Clay Art Center presents: Functional Fall: Shake It Up, an exhibition of ceramic salt and pepper shakers, and cellars. Guest juried by Austin Coudriet & Nikki Lau.

Please join us for an Opening Reception on Saturday, September 6th, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet participating artists and enjoy light refreshments.

Images: Sarah Mundy, Blossom, Sally Ng, Bamboo basket/Dumpling Shakers, Karen James, Salt and Pepper Shaker and Tray

Clay Art Center presents Shake It Up, an exhibition featuring ceramic salt and pepper shakers and cellars by artists at all career stages. Guest juried by past Artists-in-Residence Austin Coudriet and Nikki Lau, this third annual Functional Fall show explores the theme from a variety of perspectives, including function, style, culture, and social significance. The exhibition celebrates creativity, imagination, design, and form in functional ceramics. Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, September 6th, from 5:00–7:00 PM, to meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments. The exhibition is on view September 1st to October 18th, 2025.

“Salt and pepper shakers have been integral to our daily lives for over 200 years, playing a crucial role in cooking, dining, and the overall food experience. Though often considered ordinary objects, salt and pepper shakers (along with salt cellars or salt pigs) boast a rich history as collectibles, souvenirs of travel, and reflections of design trends. These simple items, intricately intertwined with human history, also serve as silent witnesses to the complexities of colonization. Their contents—salt and pepper—carry stories of trade, exploration, and culture.” – Austin Coudriet & Nikki Lau

Participating Artists: Maria Albornoz, Chai Allilharder, Madison Berry, Dalia Berman, Julie Buyon, Jeanne Carreau, Sarah Clark, Jenn Pal Conte, Gabs Conway, Jeffrey Dean, Brenden Dreiling, Marlene Ferrell, Zoe Filzer, Rose Foley, Robin Henschel, Stephen Heywood, Meg Howton, Karen James, Lexie Koch, Sophia Koch-Holdsworth, Marina Kuchinski, Dallas LaCassa, Paula Landdeck, Victoria Lewandowski, Daeun Lim, Rebecca Lowery, Susie Meskill, Carbery Morrow, Sarah Mundy, Jane Neuss Cohen, Richard Nickel, Sally Ng, Peter-Contesse Olivier, Ellen Salov, Roberta Shapiro, Mayetta Steier.

Clay Art Center Gallery provides a platform for emerging and established artists to explore a wide range of topics that address materials, processes, and techniques, and to engage in critical dialogue through clay. We are committed to exhibiting a variety of work from artists around the country with unique and diverse backgrounds, as well showcasing our Clay Art Center artists and students.