Off CenterAn International Ceramic Competition

VIRTUOSITY: Clay is one of the most diverse artistic mediums. The interplay of variables to
make a piece includes clay type, glaze selections, firing temperatures, surface decoration, scale,
and kiln type to name a few. What is created is rarely a fortuitous accident. Successful artistic
endeavors require continued engagement with the material so as to gain confidence in building
practices and firing techniques. Over time, a maker develops technical skills to express ideas,
producing a work in clay that is rewarding to view and, in the case of the vessel idiom, to use on
a regular basis. The simplest form can be as satisfying to consider as a complex installation.

MEANING: Clay's versatility provides many avenues to convey ideas that are meaningful to the
maker. When artists develop these thoughts in clay, the medium advances to the role of
messenger. As viewers, we pause to reflect on these ideas conveyed through materiality. Not
all narratives are inherently understood or comfortable to consider, but the journey of
understanding begins, which broadens our artistic scope.

CONFIDENCE: Whether a traditional vessel, figurative sculpture, or large installation, the
maker's confidence in their work was a key factor in considering all submissions to Off Center
2025. Traditional building practices offer solid consideration as they show a maker's
engagement with the material in proven methods. Experimentation with the medium, like
tearing or punctuating clay, infers a willingness to pursue an artistic quest. These dynamic
options are all present in the 2025 Off Center exhibition, showcasing a richness that reflects the
material's scope.

Nancy M. Servis
Juror