Clay Art Center proudly announces its 70th Anniversary, marking seven decades of creativity, education, and community impact in the ceramic arts!
Founded in 1957 by visionary ceramic artists Katherine Choy and Henry Okamoto, Clay Art Center began as an artists’ collective built on bold ideas and radical inclusivity. Today, Clay Art Center stands as one of the nation’s most respected ceramic arts organizations, celebrating not only 70 years since its founding, but also 20 years as a nonprofit, a transformation that expanded its reach and deepened its mission. Clay Art Center’s 70th Anniversary is not only a celebration of the past — it is a testament to how Choy and Okamoto’s legacy lives on through every artist, student, and community member who walks through our doors.
Throughout 2027, Clay Art Center will present a series of exhibitions and events that illuminate our history, celebrate our community, and honor the artists who shaped our story:
Rising Stars: Annual Student Exhibition – Showcasing the creativity, growth, and achievements of students of all ages.
A Celebration of Ceramics: Clay Art Center Artists – An exhibition that explores how clay embodies joy, ritual, gathering, and festivity.
On Solid Ground: 70 Years of Clay Art Center — Featuring archival materials, historic works by Choy and Okamoto, and stories of the artists who built our legacy. Opening Reception, Saturday, April 24, 2027, 5-7:00 PM.
Side By Side: Invitational Tile Exhibition — Showcasing over 150 artists nationwide that are part of the Clay Art Center community. Opening Reception, Saturday, April 24, 2027, 5-7:00 PM.
Hand in Hand Annual Benefit & Auction — Honoring 20 years of nonprofit leadership and the founding of our Community Arts programs.
These exhibitions highlight themes of joy, ritual, gathering, and community — the very ideas that shaped Clay Art Center’s founding.
70th Anniversary Press Release
About Clay Art Center
Clay Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an inclusive space for learning, studio practice, exhibitions, personal growth, and professional development in ceramic arts. Located in the heart of Port Chester, NY, Clay Art Center offers classes, workshops, artist residencies, Community Arts programming, and gallery exhibitions year-round.
Clay Art Center advances the ceramic arts through artistic excellence, professional artist support, and accessible, transformative clay experiences. We envision a community connected through creativity, learning, and cultural exchange. Today, Clay Art Center serves more than 5,000 youth and adults annually and engages over 40,000 people through exhibitions, education, community programs, events, and online.
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: gallery@clayartcenter.org