A week of clay-centered art, workshops, exhibitions & community events
The 2025 Silver City CLAY Festival officially kicks off next week — and you can already start exploring some amazing exhibitions and events around town!
This week, exhibitions are already open and a few special events are taking place — scroll down for details. Plus, don't miss our top picks from the full festival week schedule.
PDF flyers at the end of article with a map and schedule
This Weeks Gallery Highlights
Shades of Clay
Kate Brown & Barry Gillen
Made in Silver City Gallery, 206 W Broadway
Wed–Sat, 10am–5pm
Intricate surface design and striking forms by two local ceramic artists.
Perception & It's a Fine Line Between…
Group & solo ceramic exhibitions
Light Art Space & Flash Gallery, 209 W Broadway
Thurs 10–4, Fri–Sat 10–5
Contemporary clay art exploring theme, technique, and surface.
This Sunday – July 13
Gallery Talk & Reception
Weathered Patterns by Miranda Howe
Diana Ingalls Leyba Studio, 315 N Bullard St
5–7pm
Meet the artist and hear insights into her richly patterned ceramic work.
Festival Week Highlights – July 14–20
Here are just a few of the public events you won't want to miss during festival week:
Tuesday, July 15
Artist Talk: Bianka Groves
Light Hall Auditorium, WNMU Campus
6–7pm | Free & Open to the Public
Heading artist Bianca Groves makes elegant porcelain pottery with beautifully detailed surface work. In this talk, she'll share how her ideas take shape - from inspiration and design to the fine techniques she uses to decorate each piece. A great chance to hear directly from one the artists behind this year's exhibitions and workshops.
Wednesday, July 16
Opening Reception: Jessica Wilson
Bear Mountain Lodge, 60 Bear Mountain Ranch Rd
5–7pm
Celebrate the launch of Jessica's surface design exhibition in a beautiful natural setting.
Friday, July 18
Mata Ortiz Pottery Demonstration & Sale
with Anna Trillo
Light Art Space, 209 W Broadway
11am–3pm
Watch master potter Anna Trillo paint intricate pottery using traditional techniques — including human hair brushes.
Saturday, July 19
One Million Bones: Community Bone-making Event
60 Bear Mountain Ranch Rd | 10-11:30, Free and All-Ages
Help grow a powerful, ongoing installation dedicated to raising awareness of genocide and mass atrocities. Visitors of all ages are invited to create and contribute ceramic bones to the One Million Bones project - a national art movement that found its permanent home in Silver City. Materials provided. Drop in, make a bone, and be part of something meaningful.
Book Presentation & Live Pottery Demo
Silver City Museum Annex, 302 W Broadway
10am–3pm
Charmayne Samuelson presents her bilingual book Mata Ortiz: Poetry of the Clay. Live demonstrations by master potter Oralia Lopez throughout the day. Author talks at 10am, 1pm, & 2pm.
Closing Reception: Perception & It's a Fine Line Between…
Light Art Space & Flash Gallery, 209 W Broadway, 6-8 pm
Wrap up the festival with this closing celebration featuring two powerful exhibitions. Meet the artists, take in the work one last time, and enjoy one more evening surrounded by great clay and community.
CLAY Market – Shop Local Clay
Murray Hotel Ballroom
Saturday, July 19 (10–4) & Sunday, July 20 (11–2)
Functional pottery, sculpture, and clay art by local and regional artists — all under one roof.
Full Festival Schedule: July 14–20
View everything happening throughout the week — from workshops and artist talks to exhibitions and special events.
For event details, map, and workshop registration: www.clayfestival.com
