Chrysler House Lobby
Cranbrook at NCECA 2026
In March, Detroit will welcome makers, artists, and educators to the largest ceramics conference in the country and Cranbrook is thrilled to be part of the celebration. The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) annual conference will be held in Detroit March 25–28. Our students, faculty, and alumni will all play a large role in organizing the event and showcasing their incredible work.
While there are several exhibitions, talks, and tours that involve our alumni, we’re highlighting the signature Cranbrook events here. Visit the NCECA website for the full list of all events.
Cranbrook Alumni Exhibition
Location:
Chrysler House
719 Griswold St., Suite 170, Detroit
On view: March 25–28, 10am–5pm each day
Reception: Thursday, March 26, 5–8pm
The Cranbrook Alumni Exhibition in Detroit is an international collection of Cranbrook alumni ceramic artists exploring materiality, scale, and emergence – framed by Detroit’s architecture. Featured artists include ceramics luminaries Marie Woo (Ceramics MFA 1956), Mie Kongo (Ceramics MFA 2008), and Rob Raphael (Ceramics MFA 2004) alongside Ceramics alumni spanning 70 years.
Curated by Alison Wong (Painting MFA 2006), Director and Curator at Wasserman Projects.
Generously sponsored by Bedrock and presented in partnership with Wasserman Projects.
Cranbrook Ceramics 2025–2026
Location:
Cranbrook Academy of Art – Forum Gallery
39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills
On view: March 25–29, by appointment
Reception: Tuesday, March 24, 5–7pm
Drawing on the Cranbrook Art Museum’s collection and utilizing multiple sites, Cranbrook Ceramics, 2025-2026 establishes a dialogue with contemporary student work to explore continuity and experimentation. Featuring current Cranbrook Academy of Art Ceramics students: Alex Baxter, Alice Luo, Anna Gukov, Any Guelmann, Chenxi Wang, Heloisa Pomfret, Jeremy Wong, Jose Ricano, Kaileen Campbell, Martin Schapiro, Midge Wattles, Noel Burkhardt, Ruiqi Liu, Tim Fox, and Yunjia Wang. Curated by Ceramics Artist-in-Residence, Ian McDonald.
The Tenth Annual Cranbrook x SAIC Exchange
Location:
The Jam Handy
2900 East Grand Blvd, Detroit
On view: March 25–27
Wed–Sun: Noon–5pm; Open until 9pm on Friday
Reception: Fri, March 27, 5–9pm
Organized by Martin Schapiro (MFA Ceramics 2026 expected), curated by Simone DeSousa, and hosted by Always Tomorrow, the Tenth Annual Cranbrook X SAIC Exchange presents work from a range of early-career ceramists. The exchange is a research collaboration featuring work from MFA students at Cranbrook Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Wheelchair accessible.
Mechanical/Botanical
Location:
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
1516 S Cranbrook Rd, Birmingham
On view: March 20–April 30
Mon–Thu: 10am–5pm, Fri–Sat 10am–4pm
Organized by Ian McDonald, Artist-in-Residence and Head of Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art, this exhibition explores issues surrounding the control of nature and its limits. Featuring work by Ian McDonald, and Cranbrook Academy of Art alumni Mark Vander Heide, Lisa Farris, María Cecilia Ferrer, Michael Takahata, Erika NJ Allen.