South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Gesture, Surface, Expression

South Texas College gears up for its 13th annual Ceramics Conference.

Ceramic Showdown: Gesture, Surface, Expression

Full display of ceramic work from 15 universities and colleges across the U.S. to be highlighted at South Texas Ceramic Showdown, taking place June 12.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019—
6:00pm –8:00pm Opening Receptions at the STC Library Art Gallery and STC Building B Gallery.

Thursday, June 13, 2019—
9:00am – 12:00pm Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
1:30pm – 4:30pm Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B 115

Friday, June 14, 2019—
9:00am – 12:00pm Clay Demonstrations at Ceramic Studio, B 115
1:30pm – 3:30pm Ceramic Art Talk with George McCauley and Melissa Mencini, STC Library Rainbow Room


The South Texas College Art Gallery and Art Department will host its 13th annual ceramics exhibition and conference, “Gesture, Surface, Expression.”

The three-day South Texas Ceramic Showdown will begin with an opening reception on June 12, at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery and Art Building B from 6-8 p.m.

Workshops will continue with ceramic demonstrations June 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well as June 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be an artist lecture on June 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the South Texas College Library Rainbow Room.

“For the 2019 South Texas Ceramic Showdown, we will have more collaborations from schools near and far rolling in soon with continued participation from top notch ceramic programs that can open minds and eyes as to what might be possible when people decide to work together,” said Chris Leonard, Ceramic Showdown organizer and STC Ceramics Professor.

The event includes a full display of ceramic work by distinguished ceramicists George McCauley and Melissa Mencini. Ceramic work from 15 universities and community colleges across the U.S. will be displayed at the event.

“Speaking of working together, we are very happy to have George McCaulay, the longtime Helena, Montana clay artist team up with now Austin’s Melissa Mencini and get down our way to show and show us their similar yet different approaches to making and function. Once again if you miss it you’ll miss out,” Leonard said.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

Participating institutions in the collaborative ceramic constructions include Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Lawrence University, Louisiana Tech University, Mesa Community College, Old Dominion University, Southeast Missouri State University, South Texas College, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, University of North Texas, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, The University of Texas at San Antonio, McLennan Community College, and Jacksonville State University.

For more information regarding the ceramic showdown, please contact Gina Otvos at 956-872-3488 or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryartgallery .