21st It’s Only Clay Reception & Awards

Exhibit and Opening Reception November 6, 2026 from 5 to 7pm with award presentations at 5:30pm with Special Jury and Featured Artist Lee Persell The It’s Only Clay (IOC) exhibit 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. More here → IOC features a lecture and workshop by the guest artist, Lee Persell for 2026,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. IOC is a collaboration sponsored by Watermark Art Center and Bemidji State University Department of Technology, Art and Design. Thank you to Paul Bunyan Communications and Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.