Ceramics exhibits abound in KC; a sampling

Selected exhibitions during the 50th annual NCECA Conference, March 16-19. For a full list go to nceca.net/2016-kansas-city.

▪ “Unconventional Clay: Engaged in Change,” through June 12. Twenty-four artists explore social change using projection, 3-D modeling and mixed materials. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 17.

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

▪ “National Student Juried Exhibition,” through April 23.

▪ “Shapers of the Field: NCECA Honors and Fellows,” through March 26.

▪ “Emerging Artists Exhibition,” through March 26

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

▪ “Across the Table, Across the Land,” March 16-April 23. Objects, photographs and videos by NCECA members examine how clay connects communities through food. Reception: 5-9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday; noon-9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

▪ “A Whisper of Where It Came From,” through July 24. Group show.

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday.

▪ “Convene: Jeffrey Gibson, Hilary Harnischfeger, Joel Otterson, Lisa Sanditz,” March 15-May 22. Artists not traditionally trained in ceramics who incorporate it into their works. Reception 6-8 p.m., lecture 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15.

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday

▪ “Simone Leigh,” through March 26. Multimedia sculpture, installation and performance examining face, feminism and identity.

Hours during NCECA: Noon-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday; noon-9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

▪ “Decalcomaniacs,” through March 19. Fourteen artists who use decals in commercial and custom work.

▪ “Objectify: Beth Cavener, Peregrine Honig, Jenny Kindler, Lindsay Pichaske and Merrie Wright,” through May 21. Artists using the animal figure as a metaphor for current issues.

▪ “The Kansas City Connection: Victor Babu,” through May 21. New works by artists influenced by Babu.

▪ “Red Star Studios’ Past and Current Artists in Residence,” March 14-19

▪ “Christa Asas: Breathe,” March 14-May 21

▪ “Archie Bray Foundation Resident & Visiting Artists,” March 14-May 21

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

▪ “Collective Identity: The Legacy of Apprenticeship Under Toshiko Takaezu,” March 16-19. Toshiko Takaezu’s legacy is highlighted in her apprentices’ artwork.

▪ “Legacy of an Icon: Ken Ferguson,” March 16-April 16. Works by eight artists who have been influenced by working closely with the artist.

Hours during NCECA: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday; noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

▪ “Christina West: Stay Asleep,” March 15-May 21. Installation of figurative forms with a strange sense of scale and bodies frozen mid-gesture.

▪ “Lifted: Joey Watson,” March 15-May 21. Solo show explores slipcasting, 3-D printing and CNC milling.

Hours during NCECA: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

▪ Red-Hot Shop, March 16-19. Small-scale, affordable works by local and national artists.

▪ “The Once and Future: New Now,” through March 19. Explores the relationship between makers and mentors.

Hours during NCECA: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday.

This story was originally published March 13, 2016 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Ceramics exhibits abound in KC; a sampling."