The John Natsoulas Gallery is extremely pleased to host the only international ceramics conference and festival in the world that focuses on progressing the field by combining world-class lectures and demonstrations with the largest group of exhibitions by high school and college students. We are dedicated to advancing the field of ceramic art and developing the student artists by giving them the opportunity to meet and work with internationally-known ceramic artists.
After 39 years of tradition, the John Natsoulas Gallery is proud to continue hosting the largest sculptural ceramics conference in the world. Originally conceived of by John Natsoulas and Robert Arneson, the conference was inspired by the need for dialogue and direct interaction between artists and students. The conference this year will offer students, professional artists, and ceramic enthusiasts a cohesive venue for sharing knowledge and experience. This inclusive event offers artists of all levels the opportunity to see and hear from the talented artists who continue to define the field.
This year, over 50 student exhibitions will juxtapose the beloved 30 Ceramic Sculptors exhibit. This is a completely unique and free opportunity to see the ceramic work of both professional artists and works by students from across California and from Oregon and New Mexico!
Schedule
Friday, April 24th
Registration at the John Natsoulas Gallery 9:00am - 5:00pm
Student Exhibitions (free to attend) 10:00am - 9:00pm
Demonstration by Andy Ruble and Deborah Masuoka 10:00am - 12:00pm
Lunch Break 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Demonstration by Janis Mars Wunderlich and Janina Myronova 1:30pm-3:30pm
Demonstration by Mark Bulwinkle 3:45-5:00pm
Performance “Inheritance” by Yingling Lin 5:45-6:45pm
Reception at the Gallery (student receptions 6:00-9:00pm) 7:00pm-9:00pm
Student Award Ceremony at the John Natsoulas Gallery 7:15pm
All demonstrations will be held at Davis Commons at 500 1st St., across the street from the gallery, unless stated otherwise
Saturday, April 25th
Registration at the Front Desk 9:00am - 5:00pm
Student Exhibitions (free to attend) 10:00am - 5:00pm
Lecture by Andy Ruble 10:00am-11:00pm
Lecture by Deborah Masuoka 11:00am - 12:00 pm
Lunch Break 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lecture by Janis Mars Wunderlich 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Lecture by Arthur Gonzalez 2:00pm-3:00pm
Lecture by Janina Myronova 3:00pm-4:00pm
All lectures will be held at Regal Holiday Theater, 101 F. St., unless stated otherwise.
50+ Major Shows
Local gallery exhibitions and over 40 college shows bring the best work of the year within easy reach. These shows run concurrent with CCACA 2026. See all this and over 50 amazing student shows within a short walk. This is a chance to surround yourself with the top ceramic art of today and the ideas of the artists of tomorrow.
2026 Participants: Academy of Art University, Aptos High School, Bakersfield College, Butte College, Cabrillo College, Cal Poly Humboldt, California College of the Arts, California State University, Chico, California State University, Sacramento, Cerritos College, Chabot College, Cobb Mountain Arts and Ecology, Davis High School, De Anza College, Earthbound Ceramics, Fairfield School in Davis, Folsom Lake College, Foothill College, Gavilan College, Grant High School, Grossmont College, Institute of American Indian Arts, Lake Tahoe Community College, Laney College, Los Angeles City College, Los Medanos College, Loyola Marymount University, McClatchy High School, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino College, Napa Valley College, Natomas Charter School, NoName College, Palomar College, Pioneer High School, Placer High School, Portland Community College at Rockcreek, Sacramento City College, San Francisco State University, San Joaquin Delta College, San Jose State University, Santa Ana College, Santa Clara University, Sierra College, Skyline College, Solano Community College, Terra Linda Ceramics, UC Davis Craft Center, University of California - Davis, University of San Francisco, Valley High School, Visa Murrieta High School, Walnut Creek Art Center, YoLin Studios
Other Past participants: American River College, CSU Fullerton, College of Marin, College of the Redwoods, Cosumnes River College, Cypress College, Diablo Valley College, Emerson Junior High School, Fresno State, Fresno City College, Merritt College, Oregon School of Arts and Crafts, Reedley College, San Francisco Art Institute, Santa Rosa Junior College, Sierra Nevada College, Sonoma State University, Southern Oregon University, UC Berkeley, University of Nevada, Reno, West Valley College.
