Flower City Pottery Invitational

Flower City Arts Center is a community-based not-for-profit organization that educates, encourages, and inspires all people to create and enjoy the visual arts.

Rochester, NY- Flower City Arts Center is thrilled to present its ninth Flower City Pottery Invitational, a three-day affair that features a show and sale, demos and talks from national artists in ceramics.

Since its inauguration in 2015, the invitational has presented dozens of carefully curated artists from around the country, offering collectors and clay lovers the opportunity to view new-to-them talents and add to their collections.

This year’s exhibition opens on Friday, Oct. 10 and features 19 artists working in a wide variety of styles and techniques, with vessels and decorative art objects to fit every taste available for purchase.

Visitors will delight in the storybook-illustration-like flora and fauna that grace the work of Marret Metzger, the dark elegance of Vartan Poghosian’s substantial vessels, and the bright and modern whimsy of Kyle John’s slab-stacked, architectural pieces.

The full 2025 artist roster is: Sam Briegel (MD), Harry Levenstein (MA), Sam Harvey (CO), Mike Griffin (NY), Noel Bailey (VT), Mary Barringer (MA), Sarah Anderson (IN), Vartan Poghosian (NY), Dallas Wooten (NJ), Austin Riddle (NY), Taylor Sijan (OH), Sang Joon Park (NY), David MacDonald (NY), Lisa Orr (MA), Marret Metzger (IN), Kyle Johns (MA), Normandy Alden (NY), Jeremiah Ibarra (TX), and Kyle Lascelle (NY).

Before the invitational kicks off on Friday, makers can learn a variety of decorative techniques from visiting artist Taylor Sijan, who will demonstrate how she adorns her work with richly layered designs through slip trailing, slip carving, and underglaze painting with paper resists. The workshop runs from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the center’s Sunken Room.

An opening reception and fundraiser for the Center will take place on Friday, Oct. 10, with live music, drinks, bites, and a chance to preview the pottery before the crowds. The exhibition and sale follow on Saturday and Sunday, with opportunities to learn from the artists at talks and demos presented both days. Flower City Pottery Invitational is generously supported by Roc City Granite, Handle Bar Catering, Roll’n Deep, Standard Clay Company, Wheel & Slab, Monroe County, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

QUICK DETAILS:

The 9th Flower City Pottery Invitational takes place at Flower City Arts Center, 713

Monroe Avenue, on Friday, Oct. 10 – 12, 2025. Featuring a dazzling array of

contemporary ceramics by 19 artists from around the U.S.

SURFACE DECORATION WORKSHOP WITH TAYLOR SIJAN: 2 to 5 p.m. on

Thursday, Oct. 9. $55 general / $45 members; sign up at flowercityarts.org/classes

RECEPTION & FUNDRAISER: 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. $40 admission

EXHIBITION AND SALE: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

on Sunday, Oct. 11. Free admission, with artist talks and demos throughout both days.