Clay Olympics Celebrates 15th Year: May 22

Approximately 40 high school students will test their ceramics skills on Wednesday, May 22, during the 15th annual Western New York Clay Olympics hosted by Buffalo State's ceramics program.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the ceramics studio, Upton Hall 128, students from Kenmore East, Lancaster, Lewiston-Porter, and Pioneer high schools will compete individually and in teams in timed events using clay and various clay-forming methods. The high-energy Olympic-style contest is overseen by the art teachers from the four schools, all of whom graduated from either the ceramics or art education programs at Buffalo State.

Robert Wood, chair and professor of design and coordinator of the ceramics program, said “We are pleased to once again host the Clay Olympics and welcome the participating students to a day of challenging contests that will test their skills in ceramics, their creativity, and their competitive spirit.”

In conjunction with the contest, there will be a ceramics exhibition of the participating students’ artwork in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery in Upton Hall. A juror will select the top artworks and the winning artists will receive cash awards made possible by the Sylvia L. Rosen Endowment at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

The awards will be presented at 1:15 p.m. in the Czurles-Nelson Galley. All the events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (716) 878-6032.