"Traces" brings together groundbreaking artists who push the boundaries of ceramics as a medium for social, cultural, and material exploration.
Clay, with its elemental connection to the earth, is a material that inherently holds traces—of touch, of time, of memory. In this exhibition, Traces, ten visionary artists explore the profound ways in which clay can bear witness to personal and collective histories, bridging the tangible and the intangible.

Through their diverse practices, these artists treat clay as both a recorder of physical marks and a vessel for storytelling. Each piece reflects the traces left behind: by fingers pressing into the earth, by the weight of cultural traditions, by the invisible yet palpable presence of memory. Clay becomes a space where time collapses, a surface where the individual meets the collective, and a form where past, present, and future coexist.

Together, these works invite viewers to consider the traces we leave behind and the ones we carry with us. Through clay, these artists create a dialogue between mark and memory, asking how we imprint ourselves on the world and how the world, in turn, imprints itself on us.

The coinciding Wasatch Back Student Art exhibition will be also on display from March 8 – May 25.

This exhibit tour will explore the artist and their work, focusing on the clues they leave behind to express emotions and ideas. We’ll discuss how clay art can evoke feelings, reflect on personal experiences with clay pieces, and consider what makes clay such a versatile material for shaping stories. Questions will guide our conversation: What is clay made of? Why is it ideal for creative expression? Finally, we’ll imagine creating our own clay art—what story would you tell, and how might others interpret it?

K-2nd Grade: "Clay Impressions"
Students will use natural textures to imprint on clay, exploring how artists like Ashwini Bhat incorporate nature into their work to express cultural and personal connections.

3rd-5th Grade: "Connections Through Clay"
Students will sculpt pieces that represent connection—either literal or symbolic—while learning how artists like Jenny Hata Blumenfield and Nicki Green use clay to express relationships, identity, and heritage.

6th-8th Grade: "Clay and Identity"
Students will create abstract clay pieces inspired by their personal interests, culture, or traditions, reflecting on how artists like Heidi Lau and Nicki Green use clay to explore identity.

High School: "Storytelling Through Clay"
Students will sculpt a piece that tells a personal or cultural story, considering how artists like Brie Ruais and Bari Ziperstein use clay to convey emotions, relationships, and identity.