Hand/Held

Read the Prospectus:

Hosted by Garland Creates and FCS Clayworks

Prospectus:

A juried and invitational ceramics exhibit presenting both small works and cups from artists located in the state of Texas. Exhibited works should literally or conceptually relate to being held in the hand. Partial proceeds from the sale of work and application fees will be split between Garland Creates and FCS Clayworks.

Exhibition Dates: October 25 – Nov. 22, 2025

Deadline to Enter: September 12, 2025

Jurors/Organizers: Amy Henson, John Campbell, and Erin McSweeny

Eligibility: Open to Texas artists at least 18 years of age.

Submission Requirements:

Enter up to 3 small sculptural or functional ceramic objects with one digital image of each.
Work submitted must be innovative, original in design, and be a personal expression of the artist’s intent and style.
Work submitted through the application process must be the actual works that will be displayed during the exhibit.
Works must be at least 70% ceramic.
Pieces submitted for review must have been completed by the artist within the past three (3) years.
Size restrictions: 7” x 7” x 7” maximum.
Accepted works which display poor craftsmanship, do not represent those submitted as digital entries, or break prior to installation will be withdrawn from the exhibit.
All ceramic work entered must be for sale. Sales are subject to a 70/30 split in favor of the artist.
Sale proceeds will be paid to the artist within 30 days of the exhibition’s end.
Up to 20 of the accepted artists will have to option to send up to 5 cups for display in the shop gallery shelves immediately outside of the Hand/Held gallery space.

Entry Fee:
There is a nonrefundable entry fee of $30 for Texas residents and $15 for Garland Creates members, Garland residents, and students.
Payment can be made at https://www.garlandcreates.org/ via the Donation link.

Shipping & Insurance:
The artist is responsible for shipping and insurance on the work to and from FCS Clayworks. FCS Clayworks is responsible for insurance during the exhibition. When you ship your piece(s) for the exhibit, you must include a pre-paid USPS or UPS return shipping label for the return shipping of your piece(s). If no return shipping label is provided, artworks become the property of FCS Clayworks after 14 days. Pieces not sold during the exhibit will be returned in their original packaging. Details regarding packaging requirements, shipping deadlines, and local artist drop-off times will be provided with the acceptance letter.

Marketing:
The exhibition will be marketed through FCS Clayworks and Garland Creates websites and social media, event postcards and flyers, and local digital media. An opening reception will take place on Friday 10/25/2025 from 5:00-8:00 PM, with a concurrent public demonstration in the studio and plans for a vendor market organized by Garland Creates nearby. A digital graphic for promotion will be provided to accepted artists via email.

Sales & Insurance:
All work must be available for sale. FCS Clayworks retains a 30% commission of the sales price. FCS Clayworks will not be responsible for loss or damage to work in transit to or from the studio. All accepted work that is not sold during the exhibit must either be picked up or will be shipped back to the artist within 30 days of the exhibit. If artwork is to be picked up rather than shipped, FCS Clayworks will not be responsible for loss, theft or damaged work after 14 days of the last day of the exhibit.

Application:
Please submit a digital entry via email to: submissions@garlandcreates.org

Deadline for submissions is Sept. 12, 2025.
Submit a $30/$15 nonrefundable application fee immediately upon completion of the email application.
Artists’ works will be selected based on a submission of a maximum of 3 functional or sculptural ceramic pieces measuring no more than 7” in any dimension.
Please title files Lastname_Firstname_01 through Lastname_Firstname_03, example: Henson_Amy_01.jpg.
Each professional quality image must be in JPEG (.jpg) format, 300 DPI, 1620 on the longest side. Low resolution images (smaller than 300 dpi) are not guaranteed to be included in the promotional materials associated with the exhibit.
Up to 20 of the accepted artists will have to option to send up to 5 cups for display in the shop gallery shelves immediately outside of the Hand/Held gallery space.
Information to submit via email to submissions@garlandcreates.org:
- Digital image files
- Titles numbered 01 through 03
- Dimensions in inches (H x W x D)
- Price
- Year made
- Description of materials and techniques, including type of clay, building/throwing technique and glazing/firing process and temperature
- Artist Bio
- Artist Website and/or Instagram

Amy Henson - Juror/Organizer:
I earned my BFA in Studio Art: Ceramics from Southern Methodist University in 2007 and my MFA in Ceramics from University of North Texas in 2022. My Liquor Set was selected for a Juror’s Award at Clay Art Center’s 2023 group exhibition “Functional Fall: A Seat at The Table,” and I previously received an Honorable Mention for one of my berry bowls from Clay Arts Vegas in 2017. At the 2023 NCECA conference Allee Etheridge and I co-organized the successful concurrent exhibition "Obscene." I am a founding member and participant alongside Allee Etheridge of two successful ceramic sales each year, Poetry in Ceramic in December and the Pot Stars Popup in March which is concurrent with the NCECA Conference. I am also a founding member of Garland Creates and the current head of the Exhibitions Committee. I teach at Dallas College and community studios in the D/FW metroplex, and am pursuing my next solo exhibition. I live with my husband, Aaron, daughter Rosalie, and 2 house cats. When I'm not working in the studio I enjoy sketching, reading, cooking, and horseback riding.

Henson Artist Statement:
I explore issues of cultural marginalization translated into hand-built functional ceramics and sculptural installation. Currently my concepts focus on maternal feminism, inspired by the challenges of my lived experience as a woman, artist, and mother, and real or imagined flora and fauna. The intersection of marginalization with functional or tactile art reinforces my interest in ceramics, at times combined with other craft media such as fibers and beads. Humble red earthenware is an ideal foundation with feminine corporeal formal references. Wildlife perceived as pest animals, like raccoons and opossums, and fantastical beasts communicate other cultural and psychological aspects of marginalization. I create work that sings, in a cacophony or a chorus, about the injustice of oppression and acts as a clarion call for hope and reconciliation.

John Campbell - Juror/Organizer:
John Campbell is a ceramic artist from Arlington, Virginia currently based in East Dallas. John's interest in ceramics sparked just before high school and continued through a 1.5 years at Roanoke College in Virginia and 2 years afterwards. During that time, he developed a solid foundation in throwing and production pottery. After a 17-year career in hospitality, John returned his full focus to pottery working out of a garage studio for the next 3 years. John brought with him a deep interest in serving others from his time working in restaurants, during which he was fortunate to have seen some masterfly plated dishes.

John creates custom work geared toward restaurants and chefs in tandem with his line of pottery geared toward markets and individual buyers. He also manufactures ceramic work in collaboration with a local design firm, blending classic techniques with a more contemporary, decorative function.

John first began teaching small classes out of that garage studio, revealing both a talent for instruction and a profound joy in helping others connect with clay. He refined both his skills as a potter and as a teacher through hands-on practice and mentorship. Today, he owns and operates the community ceramics studio FCS Clayworks in Garland, where he facilitates classes that mentor all skill levels and continues to advocate for the power of handmade objects in everyone’s life.

Campbell Artist Statement:

I am a full-time production potter working in the Dallas area for the last 6 years. Informed by a career in hospitality, I developed a line of work that made sense both for the person using it and the person serving with it. I design pieces that elevate the dining experience through form and function. My work focuses on clean, consistent and utilitarian vessels. I'm also passionate about teaching ceramics and how that interaction informs my ceramic work, whether it be from introducing someone to the processes for the first time or sharing a new perspective on the craft with those who are more experienced working with clay.

Erin McSweeny - Juror/Organizer:

Erin is a ceramic artist living in Dallas, Texas where she runs a community studio with her partner. Erin is currently completing a degree in Arts Management with a minor in Sculpture at the University of North Texas, where she combines her creative interests with a focus on supporting arts infrastructure while building community through craft. For the last 4 years, she has also worked for a local materials supplier, offering technical support and resources to fellow makers while engaging in the broader art community. The throughline in both her studio practice and her work is a deep interest in creating meaningful connections between people and craft.

McSweeny Artist Statement:

Erin's ceramics practice explores the intersections of materiality, function, and experience. Since beginning her work in clay in 2018, Erin developed an approach that spans both functional pottery and sculptural forms. Her work is driven by a curiosity about what makes objects useful, meaningful, and personal as well as what creates human connection to such objects.

Garland Creates:
Garland Creates is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering creativity and supporting artists of all backgrounds within the Garland Independent School District area. We believe that art has the power to connect, inspire, and transform communities. Whether you’re a visual artist, musician, writer, performer, culinary artist, or clay artist, Garland Creates is here to provide the resources, education, and opportunities you need to grow and share your talents. Our mission is to ensure that every creator has a place to express themselves, collaborate with others, and thrive in a supportive and creative environment. Find out more at: https://www.garlandcreates.org/.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Amy Henson amy.henson@garlandcreates.org or John Campbell, Director/Owner of FCS Clayworks at john@fcsclayworks.com.

Exhibition Site: FCS Clayworks

John Campbell and Erin McSweeny, owners

555 N 5th St., Ste. 109A

Garland, TX 75040