Call for Entries: 2022 Southern Miss Ceramics National

Thu, 07/07/2022 - 01:20pm | By: Ivonne Kawas

The Museum of Art in The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Performing and Visual Arts has announced a call for entries for its 2022 Ceramics National. Artists from across the country are invited to submit entries of original works created within the past five years.

Ceramic sculptures, vessel forms (both functional and sculptural), and installation works are eligible. Mixed media works are eligible only if ceramic/clay is the primary medium. The deadline for submission is August 7, 2022.

This biennial exhibition began in 2016 and has since become one of the top ceramic arts exhibitions featuring a broad spectrum of contemporary ceramic works. It features a gallery exhibition, an awards ceremony, and a juror’s lecture and studio demonstration. It is presented in part by the generous support of Partners for the Arts.

“This national juried biennial exhibition has gained wide attention over the years and features some of the best artists in contemporary ceramics,” said Mark Rigsby, museum director and associate professor of Art and Design. “We are especially excited to have Mexican-American artist George Rodriguez, as our juror and visiting artist for this year’s exhibition. We are hoping for another great show to maintain our momentum,” added Rigsby.

This year’s juror, George Rodriquez, is a visual artist and ceramic sculptor who creates large-scale figurative works in clay. Born and raised in the border city of El Paso, Texas, Rodriguez draws inspiration from his Mexican-American upbringing. Visualized with ornament, humor and reverence for tradition, his art builds bridges between cultures as well as presents connections to the past.

He earned his BFA in ceramics from the University of Texas, El Paso, and then went on to receive an MFA from the University of Washington. A recipient of the Bonderman Travel Fellowship, he traveled to 26 different countries throughout most of 2010. This travel continues to have a profound impact on Rodriguez and his work.

Rodriguez was recently honored to serve as a demonstrating artist and presenter at the 2022 National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts Conference (NCECA) in Sacramento, Calif. He is represented by Foster/White Gallery in Seattle, Wash., and is currently an adjunct professor and artist in residence at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.

This exhibition is open to all U.S. residents,18 years of age or older. Entries must have been completed within the last 5 years. All entries must be original works and available for the duration of the exhibit from Oct. 10 – Nov. 4, 2022. Accepted works cannot be substituted.

For more information regarding eligibility and specifications visit the USM Museum of Art’s website.