an immersive
ceramics-focused event
Thursday, February 26 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
ceramics
take over wheeling
is a citywide event that celebrates ceramic artists and clay enthusiasts alike. Galleries and venues across the “Friendly City” are excited to showcase the very best in contemporary and traditional ceramic art during this newly organized four-day experience.
Visit Wheeling, WV February 26 - March 1 for four days and three nights of amazing ceramics events! Attend workshops, sit in on artist demos and talks, explore the city through nine art openings, and end your trip with the Pottery Throwdown. Visit our unique local restaurants and taverns and fall in love with Oglebay Park and the historic charm of Wheeling.
Special lodging packages are available at the Wilson Lodge in world-class Oglebay Park. Enjoy beautiful accommodations, breakfast each day, admission to the artist demonstrations, talks, and Pottery Throwdown competition as well as exclusive meet-and-greet cocktail parties to open and close this exciting weekend.
juried exhibitions
EARTH & FIRE
Opening Reception
6:30-8:30pm Saturday, February 28 at Stifel Fine Arts Center
Deadline To Enter: December 14, 2025 11:00PM MTN Time.
February 28 – April 11, 2026
Stifel Fine Arts Center
Earth & Fire is a national juried ceramic exhibition offering $7,000 in total cash prizes.
Best in Show receives $4,000
Solo exhibition and workshop opportunity in 2027.
Jury opportunity for Intercollegiate Ceramics in 2027.
2nd prize: $1500.00
3rd prize: $1000.00
2 merit awards: $250.00 each
Juried by: Holly Goring & Margaret Kinkeade
of Ceramics Monthly Magazine
Deadline To Enter: December 14, 2025 11:00PM MTN Time.
MEET THE JURORS
Holly Goring
Managing Editor: Ceramics Monthly & Pottery Making Illustrated
Holly began her career in ceramics from the outside looking in. With her face pressed against the glass, staring in at the potters, she worked for the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum developing the U of Minnesota’s Public Art minor program and earning an art history degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Tiring of a sore neck and the heavy weight of jealousy, she stopped resisting the messy art kids and whole-heartedly joined them. A BFA in ceramics followed shortly after. Years later while studying ceramics in The Ohio State University’s grad program, she took an internship at Ceramics Monthly and has been on staff ever since.
Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center will be hosting a national juried exhibition of ceramic art on February 28 - April 11, 2026. This is the third annual exhibition and will be a focal point of Ceramics Take Over Wheeling.
Ceramics Take Over Wheeling is a citywide event that will celebrate ceramic artists and clay enthusiasts alike. Galleries and venues across the “Friendly City” are excited to showcase the very best in contemporary and traditional ceramic art during this newly organized four-day experience.
Opening Reception
Join us from 6:30-8:30pm Saturday, February 28 at Stifel Fine Arts Center for the opening reception of Earth & Fire: 2026 A National Ceramic Art Exhibition.
Explore the exhibit, discover who the winning artists are, and enjoy refreshments. We will have a Facebook Live Stream of the awards ceremony starting around 7:15 p.m. on Oglebay Institute's Facebook page.
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700 to attend the opening reception. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. All are welcome. Admission is free for the opening reception.
The exhibit is on display through April 11, 2026.
Regular gallery hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday and 10am-4pm, Saturday. Evening hours vary, please call 304-242-7700 for more information. Admission is free.
Margaret Kinkeade
Assistant Editor: Ceramics Monthly & Pottery Making Illustrated
Margaret grew up in northeast Oklahoma, and her introduction to art came in quiet moments of curiosity: looking over her grandmother's sewing table, fumbling around in her needlepoint projects, and cleaning hobby pottery with her aunt each summer vacation. Time spent absorbing layers of both material and process cemented a connection to methodical work made special by each maker’s unique touch and intent. After graduating with a BFA focusing on printmaking from the University of Oklahoma, Kinkeade earned an MFA in ceramics from Pennsylvania State University in 2014. Upon graduation, she relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, and in 2023 joined the Ceramic Arts Network team. Engaging in the field both in her studio and on the editorial team at CAN provides opportunities for growth and exploration, which are invaluable as a lifelong learner.
INTERCOLLEGIATE
Ceramics 2026
Opening Reception
6:00-8:00pm Thursday, February 26 in Phillips Lounge at Bethany College
February 26 – April 11, 2026
Bethany College
The intercollegiate show is a national juried ceramic exhibition offering $3,000 in total cash prizes.
Best in Show receives $2,000
One year membership in NCECA, and paid
registration to the 2027 conference in Baltimore.Solo exhibition and workshop opportunity in 2027.
2nd prize: $500.00
3rd prize: $350.00
2 merit awards: $75.00 each
Juried by: Earth & Fire 2025 Best in Show artist Ruth Douzinas
Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, in partnership with historic Bethany College, will be hosting a national collegiate exhibition of ceramic art in February and March 2026. This exhibit will celebrate and honor the college ceramic artist. The juror will be Earth & Fire 2025 best in show artist Ruth Douzinas.
Intercollegiate Ceramics 2026 is the kick-off event for Ceramics Take Over Wheeling, a citywide event celebrating ceramic artists and enthusiasts alike. Galleries and venues across the “Friendly City” are excited to showcase the very best in contemporary and traditional ceramic art during this newly organized 4-day festival.
Opening Reception
Join us from 6:00-8:00pm Thursday, February 26 in Phillips Lounge at Bethany College for the opening reception.
Explore the exhibit, discover who the winning artists are, and enjoy refreshments, while taking in the beautiful collegiate Gothic architecture of the first institution of higher education in WV.
The exhibit is on display through April 11, 2026.
Deadline To Enter: December 14, 2025 11:00PM MTN Time.
ruth douzinas
Juror for Intercollegiate Ceramics 2026
Ruth is a New York based artist, environmental engineer, and entrepreneur primarily working in ceramics, while also branching out into weaving and sewing found materials. She received a BA from Dartmouth College in Environmental Biology, an MS from Stanford University in Environmental Engineering and Science, and an MFA in Ceramics from UMass Dartmouth.
Ruth works in Long Island City, Queens and has been exhibited nationally and internationally at NCECA Sacramento, the Yellowstone Art Museum in Montana, the Workhouse Art Center in Virginia, and Katheti Cultural Center in Greece, among others.
Deadline To Enter: December 14, 2025 11:00PM MTN Time.
NEIGHBORS
February 27 – April 11, 2026
Wilson Lodge, Oglebay Park
Clay Pittsburgh invites you to join us for “Neighbors” a ceramics exhibition in
Wheeling, West Virginia.
This show will be juried by local artist and educator Peter Barbor and curated by Karen McKee and Audra Clayton, co-leaders of Clay Pittsburgh’s exhibitions committee.
Functional and sculptural ceramic works will be considered. Works must be free standing and no sides may exceed 18 inches. Works that speak to your artistic interpretation of “neighbors” are strongly encouraged. We will accept up to three submissions per artist. Sets or works with multiple pieces will be accepted as one submission.
- Opening Reception -
Join us 9:00-11:00pm Friday, February 27 outside the Hickman Lounge at Wilson Lodge for the opening reception of the Neighbors Ceramics Exhibition.
The exhibit is on display through April 11, 2026.
Local Wheeling Ceramic Exhibitions
The Gallery at 2265 will be hosting ceramic works by Ruth Douzinas (Best in Show: Earth & Fire 2025). There will be an artist opening reception on February 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The exhibition will continue until April 11, 2026.
Click Here for more information about The Gallery at 2265
2265 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Artworks Around Town will be hosting ceramic works by Jen Gandee. The show will open with a Gallery Hop on Friday, February 21st from 5:00 until 7 p.m. in the Centre Market. The event is free and open to the public and is a great opportunity to meet the talented potter. The exhibition will continue until March 30, 2025.
Click Here for more information about Jen Gandee
Click Here for more information about Artworks Around Town.
2200 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003
The Gallery at Towngate Theater will be hosting Ceramics Monthly Magazine and works by Holly Goring & Margaret Kinkeade (Jurors for Earth & Fire 2026) as well as Katie Reaver.
The opening reception will take place on Friday February 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibition will continue until April 11, 2026.
Click Here for more information about Towngate Theater.
2118 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Clientele Art Studio will be hosting ceramic works by Jillian Heusohn (Best in Show: Intercollegiate Ceramics 2025).
The Show will have an artists opening on Friday February 27th starting 7:00pm.
Click Here for more information about Clientele Art Studio.
43 15th St, Wheeling, WV 26003
West Liberty University will be hosting ceramic works in the Nutting Gallery
The opening reception will take place on Thursday February 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will continue until April 11, 2026
The Wheeling Artisan Center will be hosting Locally Centered 2026, a ceramic exhibition focusing on talented local artists, offering a unique perspective on ceramics created right here in our community.
The opening reception will take place on Saturday, February 28th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will continue until April 11, 2026.
Click here for more information.
1400 Main St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Events and Workshops
Ceramic Workshop with Ruth Douzinas
1st Place winner of Earth & Fire 2025
TBA
Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge
Oglebay Park Wheeling WV 26003
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700.
Ceramic Workshop with Jillian Heusohn
1st Place winner of Intercollegiate Ceramics 2025
TBA
Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge
Oglebay Park Wheeling WV 26003
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700.
Ceramic Workshop with Margaret Kinkeade
TBA
Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge
Oglebay Park Wheeling WV 26003
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700.
Ceramic Talk with Holly Goring & Katie Reaver
TBA
Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge
Oglebay Park Wheeling WV 26003
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700.
Pottery Throwdown “Stifel Style”
Sunday, March 1, 2026
11:30am - 1:30pm
Stifel Fine Arts Center
1330 National Road Wheeling WV 26003
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700.
Raku Firing
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025; 12-5pm
Stifel Fine Arts Center
1330 National Road Wheeling WV 26003
Join us and watch ceramic artist Rick Morgan conduct a Raku Firing on the grounds of the Stifel Fine Arts Center.
The Raku technique involves taking glazed ceramics from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and placing them in a material that would be able to catch fire, such as sawdust or newspaper. This technique is used to starve the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze.
Free.
Register Here Online or call 304-242-7700. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. All are welcome. Come anytime between 12-5pm to observe this fascinating process.
“Soup or Bowl” at The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling
March 15, 2025 ; 1pm-3pm
Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling (1610 Eoff St., Wheeling, WV 26003)
Patrons will have a choice of soup and will be able to have it served in a traditional paper bowl or purchase a ceramic bowl made and designed by a potter.
The hand-crafted bowls will cost from $20 to $30 each, and the bowl of soup comes with them. The dinner also includes cornbread, a drink and dessert.
Proceeds from the event will go toward funding the meals provided by the Soup Kitchen through the spring and summer.
Since 1982, the Soup Kitchen has provided warm meals and companionship as a non-profit inter-faith ministry incorporated with the State of West Virginia. The mission is to feed the hungry. We serve a delicious hot lunch (meat, starch, vegetables, bread, beverage, and dessert). We also offer a meal to go for the evening.
For more information, call 304-233-2992