Stephanie Adams brings whimsical ceramics to The Artery
The Davis gallery’s latest spotlight exhibition, ‘Pickle Pottery,’ celebrates the individuality of everyday items
By IQRA AHMAD — arts@theaggie.org
The Artery, an artist-owned cooperative gallery on 207 G Street in downtown Davis, is showcasing the works of ceramic artist Stephanie Adams in its latest Spotlight Artist exhibition, “Pickle Pottery.”
Running from Oct. 28 through Jan. 4, 2027, the exhibition features handmade ceramics that combine functionality with whimsical animal imagery, intricate patterns and artistic individuality.
“A handmade cup can bring art into a moment as ordinary as having your morning coffee,” Cindy Nelson, manager of The Artery, said. “When someone notices its shape, the way it feels in their hand or a detail in the pattern, that everyday experience becomes more personal. Exhibitions like this invite people to pay closer attention to the objects they live with and the people who make them.”
That line between artistic expression and everyday functionality is pivotal to Adams’ approach to her work.
"My work balances utility and narrative by pairing familiar forms with hand-painted imagery,” Adams said in a statement to The Artery. “I invite a sense of connection and warmth into daily rituals.”
For Adams, pottery has served as both a creative outlet and a means of self-expression.
“I fell in love with pottery in high school, where it offered a shy person like me a quiet way to express myself,” Adams said. “In college and graduate school, I discovered my sculptural voice, exploring form and expression through clay.”
Her artistic practice gradually shifted toward functional ceramics during an artist residency in Mendocino, where she began to explore the relationship between art and everyday life.
Today, Adams creates handmade pottery in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, individually throwing, decorating and glazing her pieces. Her pieces draw heavily on animals, natural patterns and the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi, which emphasizes the beauty of imperfection.
“My artistic style is whimsical and inspired by the natural world, animals and patterns,” Adams said. “I’m drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic, embracing the beauty of imperfection and the uniqueness of handmade objects.”
Rather than striving for uniformity among her pieces, Adams values the subtle variations and unique qualities that distinguish handmade ceramics from mass-produced objects.
“I love when each piece carries the maker’s mark, with subtle variations and organic details that celebrate the process of creating by hand,” Adams said.
Even the name of her business reflects the playful, unique nature behind her work.
“Pickle Pottery is named after my beloved dog, Pickle!” Adams said.
The name originated when Adams applied to her first craft fair and was asked to provide a business name. Without having one prepared, she spontaneously wrote down “Pickle Pottery.”
“The name stuck, and what started as a spur-of-the-moment decision became the name of my pottery business,” Adams said.
One of the most compelling aspects of Adams’ work, according to Nelson, is the way each piece reveals a flurry of additional details upon closer look.
“The combination of the shape of her pieces and the whimsy of the animals on the surface gives each piece its own personality,” Nelson said. “You can appreciate the pottery as a whole, then look closer and discover the individual marks and details. There is a warmth to work that shows the artist’s hand, and Stephanie’s pieces have that quality.”
Beyond showcasing an individual artist, the exhibition encourages conversations about the relationship between traditional craftsmanship, functionality and contemporary art.
Nelson hopes the exhibition offers an accessible introduction to the medium for UC Davis students and younger audiences who may have limited experience with handmade ceramics.
“Functional pottery offers a familiar starting point,” Nelson said. “You don’t need a background in art to respond to a cup or bowl that catches your eye.”
Nelson encourages students to visit the gallery, examine the pieces and ask questions about the artistic process.
“That curiosity can lead to a greater appreciation of the time, skill and creativity involved in handmade ceramics,” Nelson said.
As an artist-owned cooperative, The Artery also plays a role in supporting the creative community in Davis by connecting visitors directly with working artists.
“Featuring artists such as Stephanie keeps that exchange fresh and helps sustain a community where handmade work is seen, valued and supported,” Nelson said.
Ultimately, Nelson hopes visitors leave the exhibition with a deeper appreciation for the creativity behind ordinary objects.
“We hope they remember a particular piece that made them smile or imagine using it in their own home,” Nelson said. “That personal connection is one of the pleasures of handmade art — the feeling that something an artist created speaks directly to you.”
Through Pickle Pottery, Adams demonstrates that artistic expression can extend beyond the gallery, integrating into everyday life at home, on countertops and on display, the objects people hold and interact with every day.
Stephanie Adams’ Pickle Pottery is only displayed from Oct. 28 through Jan. 4, 2027 at The Artery, located at 207 G Street in downtown Davis. Admission to the gallery is free and more information is available at The Artery and Pickle Pottery.
Written by: Iqra Ahmad — arts@theaggie.org