Clay Art Center presents exhibitions from our 2025-2026 Residency cohort featuring:
Rittenberg Artist-in-Residence Alvaro Villa, Second-Year Artist-in-Residence Carley Holzem, Second-Year Artist-in-Residence Christine Raposas, and Westchester Community Foundation Fellow Stephanie Perez.
Please join us for an Opening Reception on Wednesday, June 24th, 6:00-8:00 PM
La House of Objects en el Orbital
Alvaro Villa
ALVARO as Ceramic Brujo welcomes viewers into La House of Objects en el Orbital to navigate a space where a kiln and a witch’s cauldron become one and a series of devotional sacred objects are meditative and ritualistic. La House of Objects en el Orbital puts forth the art and magic of the object, tool, and planning process of Alvaro's ceramic artworks. In this exhibition Alvaro celebrates the objects, tools, sketches, and anything that helps his art making progress in a series of brick red ceramics and mixed media sculptural works. The tools that orbit the ceramic studio are made again with a magical blend of ceramic craft and subversive reimagining.
Artist Bio
Alvaro is a first-generation Mexican-American from Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas. He earned a BFA in ceramics, sculpture, and painting from the University of North Texas and recently earned an MFA in ceramic art at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Alvaro lives with his magical companion, Lluna, a cat whose presence adds a touch of enchantment to his creative life.
Living A Dream, Riding A Wave
Carley Holzem, Christine Raposas, and Stephanie Perez
Together, our work is a testament to the power of clay to evoke life in infinite shapes. At the core of this collection is the same malleable yet basic element, but from which three vastly different journeys have sprung: a mystical, fanciful corner of queer joy; a dystopian space between the familiar and unknown; and a surrealist imagining of a rainbow under the sea. Our manifestations of texture, color, and form mark the edges of the distinct worlds we’ve forged, which share no more than the most important similarity: a common life force.
Artist Bio
Second Year Artist-in-Residence Carley Holzem grew up in a small rural town in central Wisconsin called Mosinee. In high school, she began to love all types of art and grew a passion for pottery. She then went on to get her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a BFA in ceramics. After graduating she went to Minneapolis for the year-long Fogelberg residency at Northern Clay Center, followed by two years at Clay Art Center.
Second Year Artist-in-Residence Christine Raposas grew up in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and developed a deep love for ceramics in college, graduating from Alfred University with a BFA. She also studied painting, drawing, and art history in study abroad programs in Paris and Florence. Christine completed a Post-Baccalaureate program at Kansas State University, followed by two years at Clay Art Center.
Westchester Community Foundation Fellow Stephanie Perez is an emerging ceramic artist and instructor who grew up in the Bronx and Westchester, with a BS in Psychology and Sociology from Fordham University. Stephanie teaches Community Arts programs at Clay Art Center, in addition to practicing as a ceramic artist.
Clay Art Center’s Residency Program
Clay Art Center’s nationally recognized artist-in-residence program was started in 1998 by Director Emeritus Reena Kashyap. The Residency program, which commences each year in September, is designed for emerging artists to have the time and space to develop their voices. Residents gain invaluable experience working in a community environment, teaching classes, sharing their technical knowledge and expertise, and managing many jobs around the studio. Through a competitive process, these artists come to Port Chester from across the country and are now thriving in their careers around the globe. Learn More.
The Westchester Community Fellowship was made possible by the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust.
Our programs are made possible in part by:
Clay Art Center is dedicated to education, creativity, and community engagement through clay by providing an inclusive space for learning, studio practice, exhibitions, personal growth, and professional development in ceramic arts. It is located in the heart of Port Chester at 40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. Join Clay Art Center classes, and exhibitions, and shop online at www.clayartcenter.org.
Requests for photos, or more information: communcations@clayartcenter.org