Call Description

Sebastopol Center for the Arts (SebArts) is a dynamic, community-funded arts organization in Sonoma County, California, that annually engages 10,000+ visitors through gallery exhibitions, documentary film festival, literary arts programming, choir, youth and adult education, ceramics program, special events and two open studios programs. 
Our dynamic ceramics department is at the heart of our community art center - affectionately dubbed “the Clayground” - featuring artists from around the County who use the ceramics studio for open studio time, to attend classes, and to join together in community.    

Sebastopol Center for the Arts Ceramics Artist in Residence program is designed to invite exceptional ceramicists to experiment with themes and ideas in a self-directed setting.

This 6-week residency program offers the space to create a cohesive body of work in a collaborative community. In addition to opportunities to lead two classes or workshops, artist talk, and opportunity to support emerging artists in the Incubator program, the program culminates with a gallery exhibition at the end of the residency period.

SETTING and FACILITY: Sebastopol shares the peaceful nature of Northern California free-thinking culture, a little more than an hour from San Francisco, Sebastopol is a quiet but vibrant community. SebArts' Ceramics department has three electric kilns and two gas kilns (one raku) with options for soda, wood and pit firings in the area (weather permitting).   We have indoor and outdoor space with ten electric wheels and a large slab roller, as well as an extensive library of chemicals.   The facility fires over 2,000lbs of clay per month.  Residents will be provided with 200lb of clay to work with.  The resident artist will be expected to spend 30 hours per week in a  shared studio with up to 20 dedicated artists and 100 revolving student/general users.

ELIGIBILITY: All ceramicists are invited to apply. Please review the selection criteria below. 

STIPEND and HOUSING: Selected artist will receive a stipend of $10,000 and private housing within walking distance of SebArts.  A vehicle will not be provided.

TRAVEL and SHIPPING: SebArts will provide one round trip airline ticket for the artist to travel to SebArts, if needed, as well as transportation from SFO airport.  Up to $900 is available for shipping of art work.

WORK: The Artist in Residence is expected to be in the studio for 30 hours per week.  Artist will also be expected to teach two workshops, one lecture and attend one donor event over the course of the six-week residency, as well as serve as a mentor to Incubator artists, if the programs are overlapping.
 
SELECTION: The resident artist is selected through a jury process which evaluates artistic merit, and proven studio/material competency as represented by the artist’s portfolio, resume, letter of intent, and professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

TIMELINE:
August 15th, 2025 - Applications open for residency program
November 15th, 2025-  Application closes for residency program
November 30th, 2025 - Selection of artist, artist notified

Residency dates: April 1-May 15, 2026

Application Requirements

We ask for the following information from each artist applicant:

Artist Statement – 1–2 pages describing your artistic practice, themes, and process.

Residency Proposal / Project Description – What you plan to work on during the residency, why you want this residency in particular, and how it fits into your artistic goals.

Resume – Including education, exhibitions, teaching, residencies, grants, awards, etc.

Portfolio – Typically 10–20 high-quality images of recent ceramic work.

Image list with titles, dimensions, materials, techniques, and year.

References / Letters of Recommendation – 1-2 professional references who can speak to your work and character.

Community Engagement Proposal – How will you interact with the local community (e.g., giving a workshop, artist talk, open studio).

Eligibility Criteria

Professional and Emerging Artists – The program is open to professional or emerging artists.

Medium Focus – Must have a demonstrated practice in ceramics or clay-related work. 

Independent Studio Practice – Applicants should be able to work independently and safely in the ceramics studio.

Technical Proficiency – Familiarity with equipment (wheels, kilns, glaze mixing, etc.) is often expected. 

Residency Duration – Ability to commit to the full length of stay. 

Studio Presence – Consistent studio use, not just occasional attendance.

Collaboration – Willingness to share work, give artist talks, or participate in exhibitions.

Workshops/Teaching – Willingness and ability to teach classes, mentor students, or engage the public.