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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.

Artists Accepted: Ariana Alarcon, Michael Biello, Brad Blair, Pin Hsin Chu, Sean Clute, Sophie Gibson, Avrill Gratton, Mar Guzmán, Carlos Heredia, Judith Hugentobler, Ryan Johnson, Frederick Wright Jones, John Chia Hsuan Kuo, Wren Macdonald, Christopher Malone, Jennifer Irene Masley, Kelly Mueller, Peter Quinn, Aaron Rosa, Jai Sallay-Carrington, Devishi Seth, David Stevens, Jasmine Thompson, Pradnya Venegurkar, KC Weldon, Kenni Zipf, and Ari Zuaro.

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About the Juror: George Rodriguez

George Rodriguez is a visual artist and ceramic sculptor who draws on inspiration from his Mexican American upbringing and experience with global travel. Visualized with ornament, humor and reverence for cultural celebration, his art builds bridges between cultures and presents connection to the past. His guardian figures, tomb sculptures, and installations, commemorate and build community.

George works primarily in ceramics, but his interests have been shifting towards public sculpture and the creation of communal gathering spaces. Clay is a material that is easily translated into, concrete, bronze, aluminum, and durable tile. He wants to explore gathering spaces, a decorative fountain, a hilly knoll, a clearing in the brush. Spaces that can foster dialogue in our natural environments as well as our urban setting.

His most recent projects include a permanent installation at the new Kansas City International Airport, a community tile mural at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, and an outdoor public sculpture at CASA of Maryland, an immigration advocacy organization in Baltimore. His work has shown extensively throughout the U.S. and his sculptures are part of the collections of the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL; Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. and the National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden amongst others.

George was born and raised in the border city of El Paso, TX. He holds a BFA from the University of Texas El Paso and an MFA from the University of Washington, Seattle. He is an Assistant Professor at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia and was featured on PBS Craft in America “Storytellers” episode.

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Awards

Awarded by the Juror
Master Storyteller Award:

• The highest honor, chosen by the juror based on overall excellence in storytelling, technique, and emotional impact. Represents the piece that best embodies the theme of the exhibition.

Innovative in Narrative Award:

• Selected by the juror for a piece that demonstrates originality and pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling in ceramics. Highlights unconventional techniques, innovative use of materials, or bold conceptual approaches.

Jurors Choice Award:

• A personal selection by the juror, awarded to a piece that stands out based on their unique perspective. This allows room for artistic intuition, recognizing a work that may not fit traditional criteria but carries exceptional merit

Awarded by GoggleWorks & Community
GoggleWorks Staff Pick:

• Selection made by GoggleWorks Staff prior to the Gallery Reception & Award Ceremony.

Community Choice Award:

• Selection made by GoggleWorks’ community via voting prior to the Gallery Reception & Award Ceremony.

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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