19th Annual It’s Only Clay 2024 →
2024 Exhibit and Opening Reception November 1 from 5 to 7pm with award presentations at 6pm
Mark Lambert →, 2024 IOC Featured Artist and Jury
2024 FIRST PLACE
“Subtle Tea”
Robert Johnson
2023 FIRST PLACE
“Green Mug”
Nick DeVries
2022 FIRST PLACE
“Lost Age Ewer”
Mike Strumbas
2020 Special Jurors Exhibit
In Memory of Bill Gossman (1953-2020)
Vessel – Soda Glazed Stoneware
Bill Gossmann
2019 FIRST PLACE
HARLOW PURCHASE AWARD
“Nathanial” Lidded Beast with Spoon
Molly Uravitch
*No exhibit 2021, 2017 & 2016
"It's Only Clay" Explained
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.
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 19th Annual IOC will feature a workshop and select works on display by Guest Artist and 2024 Juror, Mark Lambert.
Jurors for IOC include some of the most familiar names in the Ceramic Arts. Previous jurors include: 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. There was no competition component for 2020 and no exhibits for 2017 & 2016.
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.
2024 Instructions for Artists
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS:
• All work must be functional ceramics.
• Submitted works must be original and produced after January 2023.
• All entries must value $900 or less. NFS must be marked as such on jury application.
• Accepted works that differ from the juried image will be disqualified. NO EXCEPTIONS!
• $10 FEE for each item submitted up to 4 maximum
• If accepted, art must be prepared and ready for install/hanging.
• No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibit.
2024 ITS ONLY CLAY TIMELINE: UPDATED
• September 23 – Application deadline has been extended
• October 2 – Jury completion (extended)
• October 2 artist acceptance email notification to begin (extended)
• October 25 – last day for delivery of work to Watermark Art Center
• November 1 – Exhibit Opening, Reception & Awards – 5 to 7pm – Kaul Gallery Watermark Art Center
• November 1 – December 23 – Exhibit
• November 2 – Saturday Workshop TBA
• Dec 31, 2024 payments made to artists
• Jan 6, 2025- Begin return of works and artist pick up
2024 JURY AWARDS:
First Place: $1,300.00
Second Place: $1000.00
Third Place: $500.00
BSU PURCHASE AWARDS:
Purchase awards for the full value of work will be made by the Bemidji State University Department of Technology Art & Design. These works will be included in the Margaret Harlow Vessel Collection, a permanent functional ceramics collection at Bemidji State University. Awards will be announced at the November opening reception and be posted online by midnight, CST.
SALES:
A 50% commission will be retained for all works being sold by the Watermark Art Center and artist retail prices should reflect this commission. Indicate NFS for works not for sale (we will still need a value for insurance purposes). You will be notified of any sales at the end of exhibit with payment made on or before December 31st, 2024.
DELIVERY & RETURN OF WORK:
• Work may be hand delivered or shipped in sturdy, reusable cardboard cartons.
• All artwork is shipped to and from the Watermark at the artist’s expense.
• All artwork shipped must be double-boxed with label on interior box to include: image of work sent, title, artist name and address.
• All artwork must be clearly labeled with the title of the work and artist’s name.
• Please include adequate postage or shipping label for return of your work.
LIABILITY:
All reasonable care will be exercised with original work and work sample images. However, the hosting organizations /or individuals assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for damages of any kind which may occur while work is in transit. Upon acceptance, the sponsors retain the right to reproduce images, regardless of copyright, for promotional or educational purposes. Images may be placed on the Watermark website.
IOC PARTNERS:
IOC 2024 a collaboration with Bemidji State University Department of Technology Art & Design and the BSU Foundation.
Awards Explained
2024 JURY AWARDS:
First Place: $1,300.00
Second Place: $1000.00
Third Place: $500.00
2024 BSU PURCHASE AWARDS:
Purchase awards for the full value of work will be made by the Bemidji State University Department of Technology Art & Design. These works will be included in the Margaret Harlow Vessel Collection, a permanent functional ceramics collection at Bemidji State University. Awards will be announced at the November opening reception and be posted online by midnight, CST.
2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 *No exhibit 2021, 2017 & 2016
Juried by a select guest artist each year, every submission for It’s Only Clay (IOC) is judged in four areas: function, form/aesthetic, craftsmanship, and surface design. Watermark Art Center awards cash prizes for first, second and third places. There are also additional ‘purchase awards’ for the Margaret H. Harlow Collection.
The Margaret H. Harlow Ceramics Collection is an exclusive teaching exhibit and collection occasionally displayed in Bemidji State University’s Talley Gallery. Through an agreement between BSU and Watermark, Watermark’s BSU Harlow | Kleven Gallery is dedicated to displaying items from this teaching collection in rotating themed exhibits year round.
What is a purchase award? A purchase award is when the university’s committee chooses to buy an IOC submission to include in this prestigious collection. All Harlow Purchase Award pieces have become a part of their permanent teaching and exhibit collection dedicated to functional ceramics at Bemidji State University.
About MARGARET H. HARLOW – Margaret Harlow graduated from Bemidji State Teachers’ College in 1936. After graduation, she left to pursue a career in the Women’s Army Corps, traveling throughout the world and retiring with 20 years of military service. She developed an interest in pottery while in London during the 1950s.
While living in California, Harlow was active in arts organizations. In 1973, she established the Margaret H. Harlow Ceramics Collection at Bemidji State University with the donation of funding and a collection of original ceramic works of art. Annually, Ms. Harlow donated additional funds and original ceramic works of art for this teaching collection. She died in California on July 7, 2007.