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.
Tom Caycedo
Myiesha Gordon Beales
Rebekah Sweda
Anat Shiftan
In Detroit
In Detroit
Cranbrook Ceramics Alumni Exhibition
Chrysler House (Dime Building), 719 Griswold St., Suite 170, Detroit
On view: March 25–28, 10am–5pm daily, Opening Reception: 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 (MFA Ceramics 1956), Mie Kongo (MFA Ceramics 2008), and Rob Raphael (MFA Ceramics 2004) alongside Ceramics alumni spanning 70 years.
Participating Artists: Anna Adler (2011), Erika NJ Allen (2023), José Arenivar-Gómez (2018), Aleyah Austin (2025), Randi Bachman (2025), Ebitenyefa Baralaye (2016), Nolan Baumgartner (2004), Chris Berti (1983), Elizabeth Leah Born (2010), Laura Boyce (2010), Ariel Brice (2009), Patricia Roustemis Cardasis (1994), Katie Caron (2009), Tom Caycedo (2023), Colby Charpentier -(2021), Joshua R. Clark (2015), Cammi Climaco (1999), Barbara Dale (1978), Harris Deller -(1973), Annie Dennis (2013), Robert Devers (1988), Abby Donovan (1996), Evan D’Orazio (2016), Jessika Edgar(2011), Heather Mae Erickson (2004), Lisa Farris (2024), María Cecilia “Mace” Ferrer (2024), Rebecca Frantz (2021), Veronica Frenning (1998), Jenn Gerrity (2025), Shannon Goff (2003), Myiesha Gordon Beales (2025), Justin Groth (2016), Nickie Gunning (2021), Gabriela Gutiérrez (2022), Rebecca Harvey (1993), Kirsten Helmer (2018), Brooke Herzing (2023), Craig Hinshaw (1975), David Hollander (2019), Ray Im (2020), Drew Ippoliti (2009), Laith Karmo (2006), Beth Katleman (1995), Matthew Kerkhof (2012), Addie Langford (2006), Tom Lauerman (2002), Matthew Bennett Laurents (2015), Alex Lewis (2023), Kiki Liu (2023), Tanya Long (2017), Laurie Longtin (2019), Li-Chu Lu (1998), Corinne MacInnes (2025), Virginia Mahoney (1979), Jeannine Marchand (2008), Thomas Müller (2000), Mia Mulvey (2000), Michiko Murakami (2015), Melissa Mytty (2007), Janet Neuwalder (1989), Ciara Newton (2016), Sara Nishikawa – 2017, Object Orange (2002), Russ Orlando (2008), David Orser (1990), Christina Osheim (2012), Hayden Allison Richer (2018), Monica Rudquist (1986), Sara Sadawi (2024), Chris Salas (2023), B Scoba (2020), Stacy Jo Scott – 2010, Victoria A. Shaheen (2013), Anat Shiftan (1986), Cooper Siegel (2022), M Joe Smith (1994), Hae Won Sohn (2018), John Stephenson (1958), Susanne Stephenson (1960), Jenny Swanson (1984), Rebekah Sweda (2020), Michael Takahata (2024), Benjamin Teague (2006), Christian Tedeschi (2001), Claire Thibodeau (2022), Steven Thurston (1992), Gregory Tom (2005), Kate Tremel (1995), Wade Tullier (2017), Mark Vander Heide (2022), ELYSIA Vandenbussche (2021), Jacob Vinson (2021), Brian Vu (2019), Kevin Weeder (2021), Anjuli Wright(2017), Susan York (1995) Noah Zirpoli (2023).
Curated by Alison Wong (MFA Painting 2006), Director and Curator at Wasserman Projects. Generously sponsored by Bedrock and presented in partnership with Wasserman Projects, with support from DUO Fine Art Services.
Maija Grotell, Vase, 1943 or earlier. Collection Cranbrook Art Museum. Museum Purchase from the Artist. Photo: R. H. Hensleigh and Tim Thayer
Richard DeVore, Clay Vessel, c.1977, Clay. Collection Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: R. H. Hensleigh and Tim Thayer
Ebitenyefa Baralaye, All My Relations II, 2023, Stoneware and glaze. Collection Cranbrook Art Museum. Gift of Rose M. Shuey, from the collection of Dr. John and Rose M. Shuey, by exchange
In Bloomfield Hills
In Bloomfield Hills
Shaping the Field: Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art
Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills
On view: March 25, 2026 – Ongoing
Plan Your Visit
This new collection exhibition, located on Cranbrook Art Museum’s lower level, features work by Academy artists, visualizing various dialogues in ceramics from expanded functional forms to sculptural ceramics that have shaped contemporary understandings of the medium.
Artists on view include Maija Grotell, Toshiko Takaezu, Richard DeVore, Marie Woo, and Ebitenyefa Baralaye, among others.
Jeremy Plotkin
Heloisa Pomfret
Any Guelmann
Martin Schapriro
In Bloomfield Hills
In Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Ceramics, 2025-2026
Cranbrook Academy of Art – Forum Gallery, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills
On view: March 25–29, by appointment; Opening reception: 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.
More Cranbrook Artists at NCECA 2026
The Tenth Annual Cranbrook x SAIC Exchange
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 (Ceramics 2026), 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.
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC), 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 (Head of Ceramics, CAA), and alumni Mark Vander Heide (MFA Ceramics 2022), Lisa Farris (MFA Ceramics 2024), María Cecilia Ferrer (MFA Ceramics 2024), Michael Takahata (MFA Ceramics 2024), and Erika NJ Allen (MFA Ceramics 2023).
Clay Currents
Hatch Art Gallery, 3456 Evaline, Hamtramck
February 21 – March 29; Closing Reception: Thursday, March 26, 5 to 8pm
An exploration of form, light, and energy, an exhibition where ceramics hold physical space, and neon defines it. Participating Cranbrook artists include: Victoria A. Shaheen (MFA Ceramics 2013), Nicholas Tilma (MFA 3D Design 2023), Alex Lewis (MFA Ceramics 2023).
Ceramics x Fiber: Spotlighting Detroit’s Collaborative Craft Community at NCECA
Boyer Campbell Building, 6540 St. Antoine, Detroit
March 24–28 (Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm); Opening Reception: Friday, March 27, 6-9pm
Organized by Jessika Edgar (MFA Ceramics 2011) and Katie Shulman.
Participating Cranbrook artists include: José Arenivar-Gómez (MFA Ceramics 2018), Jen Barker (MFA Sculpture 2024), James Adele Baxter (Fiber 2026), Lynn Bennett-Carpenter (MFA Fiber 2003, Artist-in-Residence of Cranbrook Kingswood Weaving Studio 2003-2023), Noel Burkhardt (Ceramics 2027), Kaileen Campbell (Ceramics 2026), Jessika Edgar (MFA Ceramics 2011), Lisa Farris (MFA Ceramics 2024), Maddie Gordon (Fiber 2026), Anna Gukov (Ceramics 2027), Nickie Gunning (MFA Ceramics 2021), Margaret Hull (MFA Fiber 2016), Jessica Wildman Katz (Studio Manager, CAA Fiber), Brian Kritzman (MFA Ceramics 1989), Julie Lambert (MFA Print Media 2007), Addie Langford (MFA Ceramics 2006), Holliday Martindale (MFA Fiber 2016), Katie MacDonald (MFA Metalsmithing 2007), Jeremy Noonan (MFA Fiber 2003), Irene Perez (Ceramics 2026), Joey Quiñones (Head of Fiber, CAA), Hayden Allison Richér (MFA Ceramics 2018), AndyT (MFA Sculpture 2006), Benjamin Teague (MFA Ceramics 2006), Claire Thibodeau (MFA Ceramics 2022), Gregory Tom (MFA Ceramics 2005), Kate Tremel (MFA Ceramics 1995), Mark Vander Heide (MFA Ceramics 2022), Jacob Vinson (MFA Ceramics 2021), Diane Yu Fiber 2027).
In Series: Hermann, Harrow, and Baralaye
David Klein Gallery, 678 Livernois St, Ferndale
March 14 – April 11; Opening Reception: Friday, March 27, 5-8pm
For the In Series exhibition, Ebitenyefa Baralaye (MFA Ceramics 2016) has brought together a presentation of recent ceramic sculpture and vessels by himself, Colorado-based artist Del Harrow, and Marie Herwald Hermann, who lives and works in Denmark and Chicago.
Detroit Artists Market, 4719 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
March 10 – 28, 2026; Reception: Thursday, March 26, 5-9pm
A design-centered exhibition exploring ceramic furniture as a point of connection between the body and the spaces we occupy. The works consider how furniture prompts us to move, gather, rest, and experience a room. In alignment with NCECA’s mission to support innovation in the field, the exhibition showcases thirteen artists who use ceramics in inventive, unexpected ways—blending art, craft, and design.
Participating Academy Artists: Dee Clements (MFA 3D Design 2020), Beth Katleman (MFA Ceramics 1995), Josephine Larsen (MFA Ceramics 2018), Ian McDonald (Head of Ceramics, Artist-in-Residence), Abigail Murray (MFA Ceramics 2005), Victoria A. Shaheen (MFA Ceramics 2013), Kate Tremel (MFA Ceramics 1995), Hayden Allison Richér (MFA Ceramics 2018).
Synergy: Selections from the Dr. Myron and Mrs. Joyce Laban Collection
Paul Kotula Projects The Annex, 542 Hilton Road, Ferndale
Joyce and Myron LaBan shared a passion for art, travel, and dance. Synergy presents a selection of works they collected over their 70-year relationship.
Academy artists included: Richard DeVore (MFA Ceramics 1957, Head of Ceramics 1966-78), Jun Kaneko (Head of Ceramics 1979-1986), Gerhardt Knodel (Head of Fiber 1970-1996, Director 1995-2007), Harvey Littleton (MFA Ceramics 1951), Susanne Stephenson (MFA Ceramics 1960), James Surls (MFA Sculpture 1969).