Calling all arts and ceramic enthusiasts! Ceramic Showcase, the country’s largest all-ceramic show, returns with the Gathering of the Guilds to the Oregon Convention Center the last weekend of April. 

The 42^nd annual event features 220 Oregon Potters Association members and their unique ceramic works, alongside another 100+ artists from six different handcrafters guilds in the region. This community event provides guests with special opportunities to interact with the ceramic community and meet local artists across many disciplines who are exhibiting and selling their latest work. 

The Ceramic Showcase is proud to run concurrently with the Gathering of the Guilds, making this one of the largest hand-crafted artisan events in the area with more than 350 artists under one roof! The participating Guilds include: Creative Metal Arts Guild; Guild of Oregon Woodworkers; Pacific NW Glass Guild; Portland Bead Society; Portland Handweavers Guild; Pacific NW Sculptors. 

This free event is open to adults and children, and visitors will have opportunities to view a variety of clay-making techniques from professional potters on the Demo Stage and in the Clay Exploration Area. Here, attendees can get creative with clay and see inspiring one-hour-long demonstrations that provide an up-close look at the artistry that goes into making with clay. 

In the Main Gallery of the Ceramic Showcase, there will be several types of handmade pottery available to see and purchase, including sculptural and functional art. Shoppers can purchase several artworks from different ceramic artists at once through a central cashier area with cashless checkout.

The showcase also features an Emerging Artists Booth which hosts up-and-coming members, as well as a High School Gallery featuring young artists across Oregon. One high school artist will receive a $1,000 scholarship, to be awarded during the event. The Showcase will also host its annual fundraiser for the Clay in Education program, which provides funding for Oregon Potters Association members to teach ceramics to Oregon students at little or no cost to the schools. While this event is free, there is a suggested $3 donation to support this community program.

Janet Buskirk, board member at the Oregon Potters Association said, “In true Portland fashion, [the event] is coordinated by a motley group of ceramic artists and potters, who all volunteer their time to make it happen. It is always an exciting weekend for us because it brings all the region's clay people together to have an annual reunion, show our best work, and get great ideas and inspiration from one another. Many of these folks have been working with clay for a long time, and many are new and fresh. It is a wonderful and inspiring show, and a must-see for anyone who loves clay.” 

Larry Nelson, current president of the Oregon Potters Association, spoke of the array of products that visitors can experience at the event. He encourages art lovers of all kinds to immerse themselves in the beauty of each piece. 

“You'll find high-quality works in clay ranging from simple cups, bowls, and mugs to intricate sculptures,” he said. “Each piece is a carefully handcrafted and unique work of art containing a little bit of the artist’s soul.” 

The 2025 Ceramic Showcase and Gathering of the Guilds will take place April 25^th through April 27^th in Exhibit Hall D at the Oregon Convention Center and will be open Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. 

Go to the Ceramic Showcase site to learn more about this event and plan your visit.