It's Only Clay National Competition & Exhibition

The 2025 It's Only Clay National Competition & Exhibition is a juried ceramics competition focusing on, and dedicated to, functional clay vessels. Each submission for IOC is judged in four areas: function, form/aesthetic, craftsmanship, and surface design. IOC features a lecture and workshop by the guest artist, and a juried exhibition of functional ceramics at Watermark Art Center. "It's Only Clay" event is a partnership between the Watermark Art Center and Bemidji State University Department of Technology Art and Design. The 20th Annual IOC will feature a workshop and select works on display by Guest Artist and 2025 Juror, Nick DeVries. Jurors for IOC include some of the most familiar names in the Ceramic Arts. Previous jurors include: Mark Lambert, Brad Bachmeier, Delores Fortuna, Marion Angelica, Matthew Krousey, Butch Holden, Karin Kraemer, Andrea Leila Denecke, Robert Briscoe, Guillermo Cuellar, Simon Levin, Richard Bresnahan, Linda Christianson, Jeff Oestreich, Bill Gossman, and Bob and Cheryl Husby. The 2020 exhibit was comprised of work by several of these past jurors. Prize money is awarded for first, second and third places. Additional purchase awards are made for work to be added to the Margaret H. Harlow Collection at BSU.