The Palo Alto Art Center encourages submissions relating to the theme of functional ceramics by artists throughout Northern California.

From the daily rituals of shared meals to the grandest celebrations, food and functional ceramics weave the fabric of the human experience. These objects become a powerful expression of cultural heritage and personal identity. We find that food does more than fill our plates—it fills our need for belonging, understanding, and shared experience.

This exhibition will explore the artistry of functional ceramics and its power to nourish both body and spirit, building bridges of understanding through the universal language of shared meals.

Artworks should be completed pieces.

$1,000 in prizes for selected artworks.

Email artcenter@cityofpaloalto.org or call 650.329.2366 with questions.

Juror:Beth Ann Gerstein joined the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) as Executive Director in 2014 following a 20-year tenure as Executive Director for The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, MA. Gerstein is a former member of the Collections Committee of the Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA, Vice President of the board of Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in ME and a former board member of the International Glass Art Society.

Eligibility:Open to all artists 18 years of age or older who live or work in Northern California’s 48 counties. Accepted artwork must be delivered to and picked up in-person from PAAC.

Artwork Guidelines:Artists may submit 1-3 works. Open to functional ceramic objects, sculpture, mixed media, or installation.

Include specific dimensions. There are no size limitations, but PAAC reserves the right not to accept exceptionally large, heavy, or cumbersome pieces. PAAC also reserves the right not to accept work that could be a risk to visitors or other work, such as work made with electronic components, liquids, volatile materials or materials known to attract insects such as wool, debris, or animal skins.

Wall-mounted works must be framed and ready-to-hang (wire/d-rings/cleat); ACRYLIC GLAZING PREFERRED. 3D work must be seismically sound and able to stand without mounts (or mounts must be provided). UNFRAMED WORKS ON PAPER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Works can not have been exhibited in previous PAAC exhibitions.

Applicant Instructions:Apply by April 25, 2025. A non-refundable fee of $5 is required. Email artcenter@cityofpaloalto.org to request a waiver if this fee is a financial hardship.

Only five uploads are allowed as part of the submission. Links to videos/additional images can be provided in lieu of an upload. Submitted images must be the same as the works intended for the exhibition.

Media Guidelines:Images must be under 5 MB.
You may upload images with any dimensions; SlideRoom resizes images larger than 1280 x 1280 x 72 ppi.
Videos must be less than 250 MB.
Documents must be less than 10 MB.
Include a concise artist statement, CV/resume, and details about each piece, including media, dimensions, and year. For installation concepts, include a description, concept design or similar installations, and installation info (timeline, if installation requires the artist present, etc.). PAAC can accommodate one ~300 sq. ft. installation.

Selection, Delivery, and Exhibition:Artists will be notified of inclusion on or before May 16, 2025. Artists identified for prizes will be notified at the opening reception.

Artists are responsible for delivering artwork to PAAC between Sat., May 31-Wed., June 4, 2025. All art must be labeled with artist’s name, title, year, and medium.

Work will be on view at the PAAC from June 21-August 17, 2025. Work will be available for purchase; artists receive 60% of the sales price and PAAC Foundation receives 40%.

Artwork must be picked up from PAAC from Thurs., Aug. 21-Sun., Aug. 24, 2025

URL TO APPLY: bit.ly/callforartformingfunction