Students showcase work at 2026 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art

Up-and-coming artists discussed their love for clay and community

By JENNA LEE — features@theaggie.org

The retail space in Downtown Davis’ Davis Commons is no longer empty. Makeshift white walls form a temporary gallery, dividing the open floor into small exhibition areas. At the entrance, light pours through floor-to-ceiling windows onto abstract sculptures from San Diego’s Grossmont College — just one of 48 schools showcasing their work. Over the course of two days, student artists have transformed the space into a busy art venue in the world’s largest exhibition of works by student ceramicists.

These students, hailing from all over California and as far as New Mexico, gathered on April 24 and 25 for the 39th Annual California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art (CCACA). Hosted by the John Natsoulas Gallery, the conference featured work from one elementary school, nine high schools, 38 colleges and universities and seven art centers.

“It’s the best conference of ceramics in the United States,” Patti Kjonaas, a longtime artist and Solano Community College student, said.

Originally, the conference was created to encourage discussion between students and professional artists. 39 years later, the collaboration is still felt as artists mingle and discuss stylistic choices and techniques.

“This is a great place to get a lot of inspiration as an artist,” Saint Thai, a student from Mission College, said. “Sometimes, you’re in a little funk and you’re like, ‘What do I do?’ and ‘What can I do?’ and then you come here and you’re like ‘Holy s***, I can actually do a lot.’”

For Kjonaas, community-building represents only part of her dedication to ceramics — the personal connection she feels toward the medium keeps her returning to the kiln year after year. 

“Ceramics is transformative,” Kjonaas said. “You can draw and paint and do all the things you’d want to do on paper, but you can also make it [three-dimensional].”

Many of Kjonaas’ art pieces can be found in her garden. The highlight of her exhibition, a bronze fountain with marbled wildflower details, will have a place there too. Her other works on display include animal-themed mugs, earth-toned vases and a large seven-headed bust. 

With 50 years of experience in her craft, Kjonaas is no stranger to showcasing her art. For others, however, this is the first time they’ve presented their work publicly.

“It’s my first time really showing anything anywhere,” Catalina Clark, a third-year art studio and sustainable environmental design double major, said. “I feel very lucky to be able to do it and to be here and see everyone.”

Clark spent five weeks completing her work: a large sculpture investigating different shells, from hard turtle shells to soft onion layers. Despite the time commitment, she expressed that she finds the process worthwhile.

“I think [ceramics] is just so inspirational, and I love being able to make things and express myself and what I’m thinking,” Clark said. “It’s part of how I process the world. I also think that the community surrounding ceramics is such a wonderful, wonderful thing. It’s something I’ve always just had to do.”

Grayden Doerr, a third-year business finance major at San Francisco State University, echoed a similar sentiment. 

“I love the community,” Doerr said. “It’s so special that they’re able to get so many schools from all over to come here with their art and have people show up. It’s a great place to know people and make connections. It’s what the community is all about.”

For those interested, the CCACA will return next year. Details regarding exact dates and participating artists come out in early spring 2027. Visit the John Natsoulas Gallery website or Instagram account @natsoulasgallery for more information.

Written by: Jenna Lee — features@theaggie.org