Sculpted Stories: Visual Narratives in Clay

GoggleWorks proudly presents Sculpted Stories: Visual Narratives in Clay, a national juried exhibition featuring ceramic works by professional artists from across the country. Selected through an open call, the exhibition highlights the narrative potential of clay—where stories are not spoken, but sculpted.

The featured artists explore storytelling through form, surface, and symbolism, offering visual narratives that transcend language. Figurative elements, symbolic imagery, and intricate design come together to communicate deeply personal, cultural, and imaginative tales through ceramic media.

This exhibition invites viewers to engage with each piece not only as an object of craftsmanship, but as a vessel of meaning—where gesture, texture, and materiality reveal layered stories embedded in the clay.

Open to ceramic-based artists age 18 and up, this exhibition celebrates the rich tradition and contemporary evolution of narrative ceramics in the United States today.

About the Juror: George Rodriguez

Born and raised in the border city of El Paso, TX, George Rodriguez creates highly ornamented, figurative ceramic sculptures, often underlined by a connection to the sociopolitical issues the artist explores. Rodriguez holds a BFA from the University of Texas El Paso and an MFA in ceramics from the University of Washington, Seattle. His world curiosity grew as a recipient of a Bonderman Travel Fellowship where he traveled the world through most of 2010. His work has shown at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Bainbridge Island, WA; Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA; Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA; Canton Art Museum, Canton, OH; amongst others. His sculptures are part of the collections of the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL; the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen College of Computer Science and Engineering, Seattle, WA; the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University, Salem, OR; Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. and the National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. George was featured on PBS Craft in America “Storytellers” episode and has created a large public sculpture for the new Kansas City Airport which opened March 2023. George is currently an Assistant Professor at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, PA.

Awards

Awarded by the Juror
Master Storyteller Award – $350
Innovative in Narrative Award – $250
Jurors Choice Award – $150

Awarded by GoggleWorks & Community
GoggleWorks Choice Award  – $50
Community Choice Award

Important Dates

May 18, 2025: All entries due by midnight

June 11, 2025: Acceptance/Rejection emails will begin

July 18, 2025: Mail delivered artwork due at GoggleWorks

Mon. July 28, 2025: Hand delivered artwork intake

• 10am – 12pm and 3pm – 6pm

Tues. July 29, 2025: Hand delivered artwork intake

• 12pm – 3pm

August 8 – October 12, 2025: Exhibition on-view to public

August 15, 2025: Gallery Reception & Award Ceremony, 6-8pm

October 13 – 14, 2025: In-Person Artwork Pick-Up

• Times TBD

Week of October 20, 2025: Artwork shipped back begins