Tinworks Art's 2025 season exhibition A Kin to Clay celebrates the remarkable legacy of clay in Montana, exploring the relationship between a diverse but connected group of artists who have worked with clay and earthen materials to uncover shared histories and creative affinities.

A dynamic element of the exhibition is an open call to Montana’s clay community to submit work for inclusion in A Kin to Clay. These works will highlight the vibrant contemporary ceramic practices found throughout the region. Displayed as an accumulation, they echo the way generations of artists-in-residence left vessels throughout the grounds of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, in reflection of both this creative community and of the transmutation of raw earthen material to enduring creative expression.

Submitted works will be displayed in open-air exhibition spaces at Tinworks or installed throughout Tinworks' grounds. Finished pieces, experimental work, and failures in firing are all welcome.

Works submitted during the Tinworks open call will be accepted and displayed throughout the duration of the exhibition season, June 21 through October 18, 2025.

Tinworks Art invites Montana artists working in clay and ceramics to participate in the open call by bringing their original work to Tinworks, 719 N Ida Ave, on one of the following dates:

Sunday, June 15 | 10am-2pm

Monday, June 23 | 10am-2pm

Sunday, July 6 | 10am-2pm

Sunday, July 20 | 10am-2pm

Sunday, August 3 | 10am-2pm

Sunday, August 24 |10am-2pm

Sunday, September 14 | 10am-2pm

Sunday, September 28 | 10am-2pm

One submission per artist, please. There is no limit to the size of the piece for submission; however, Tinworks will use curatorial discretion to place each piece in a size-appropriate area, either on display shelves or located on Tinworks grounds.

During the exhibition, labels will identify installed works. At the end of the season, a list of participating open-call artists will be celebrated as part of closing events on October 18.

Tinworks is not responsible for the safety or security of the submitted artwork or for any damage or theft of works submitted. Artists leave their work on-site at their own risk. Artworks may be reclaimed by the artist at the end of the season. If left on-site after October 30, 2025, the work becomes the possession of Tinworks Art to de-install or deaccession at its sole discretion.

Please email clay@tinworksart.org with questions.