Call Description

PROSPECTUS 2027 NCECA ANNUAL: THROW/BACK

Curated by Adriana Proser and Ellen Hoobler

Call For Entries

DEADLINE: June 17, 2026 (11:59pm MT)

Please note time zone - late entries will not be accepted

If you encounter problems and require technical assistance, contact CaFÉ™ support staff at cafe@wearecreativewest.org

If you have questions about eligibility or submission rules, contact tammy@nceca.net

HOSTED BY:

THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM
600 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 547-9000
https://thewalters.org/

Contact: Adriana Proser aproser@thewalters.org

EXHIBITION DATES: March 10 - June 6, 2027

ABOUT THE NCECA ANNUAL
The NCECA Annual Exhibition,Throw/Back, will run concurrently with CHARM, the 61st annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, March 10-13, 2027. 

The NCECA Annual brings together the strengths of both invitational and open juried exhibition models, creating a dynamic and layered curatorial framework. Exhibition curators Adriana Proser and Ellen Hoobler anchor the exhibition’s vision through the work of five invited artists, whose practices help shape its conceptual direction. Currently confirmed invited are Anthony Sonnenberg and Elif Uras as invited artists. This vision is expanded through an open call, with additional artists and works selected to engage, challenge, and deepen the curatorial dialogue. Together, these elements foster a rich and inclusive exhibition that reflects a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives within the field.

Throw/Back is a play on the verb often used for working with ceramics – one throws ceramics on a wheel or throws a pot. This vocabulary comes from the Old English word thrawan, meaning to twist or turn. Ceramic artists, whether working in sculptural or container forms, are always twisting and turning between the past and the future. As art historians of Asia and the Ancient Americas, curators Adriana Proser and Ellen Hoobler are interested in how ceramic forms endure and persist but also may undergo radical shifts in a relatively brief time. Artists in this exhibition explore conscious preservation of ways of making and materials of ceramics. Even in the face of unimaginable personal or historical ruptures and traumas, and in times of relative stability, ceramics carry culture and meaning across centuries.     

ABOUT THE CURATORS

Adriana Proser, Ph.D., is the Mr. and Mrs. John Quincy Scott Curator of Asian Art at the Walters Art Museum, where she led the development of the Across Asia and the Islamic World galleries, which opened in 2023. She previously held curatorial roles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Asia Society Museum, where she worked for 17 years and organized more than 45 exhibitions across multiple institutions. Proser is the author and editor of numerous publications on Asian art, including Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon (2020) and Across Asia and the Islamic World (2023).

Ellen Hoobler, Ph.D., is Director of the William Paterson University Galleries in Paterson, New Jersey. She previously served as the William B. Ziff, Jr., Curator of Art of the Americas at the Walters Art Museum, where she led the creation of the museum’s first permanent galleries dedicated to Latin American art. A specialist in the ancient art of the Americas, she has authored and co-edited numerous essays and books on the field, including its collecting, display, and role in cultural diplomacy between the United States and Mexico.

ABOUT THE VENUE
Located in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, The Walters Art Museum is an internationally recognized institution with an encyclopedic collection spanning over 5,000 years of global art. Its holdings range from ancient art and medieval manuscripts to Asian, Islamic, and European works.

Committed to accessibility and public engagement, the Walters offers free admission and fosters connections between art and diverse audiences. Its thoughtfully designed galleries, including Across Asia and the Islamic World, create an immersive environment that encourages exploration and cross-cultural dialogue.

ELIGIBILITY
Submission of works for consideration is open to the broad field of ceramic art.

Artists must be 18 years or older and not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program in higher education. NCECA offers a dedicated opportunity for student artists through the NCECA Juried Student Exhibition.

NCECA membership is not required for eligibility; however, NCECA members receive complimentary entry to NCECA exhibition calls.

ENTRY FEES

Member: $0.00; Non-member: $50.00

Please note that NCECA is unable to issue refunds for incorrect fee submissions.

The entry fee supports the scope and quality of the exhibition. As a nonprofit organization with a limited budget, NCECA strives to keep fees as accessible as possible. 

NCECA WILL VERIFY MEMBERSHIP. Please check your NCECA Membership status and expiration date by logging into your NCECA Account at this LINK or contacting support@nceca.net. To renew or become a member of NCECA, go to https://nceca.net/members

MEDIA & LIMITATIONS

This exhibition highlights dynamic approaches to ceramic practice, encompassing material, process, history, and context. Mixed-media work is acceptable when clay and ceramic processes are central to the work.

Video that engages ceramic materials, processes, or histories may be considered at the curator’s discretion. 

• Submit video as a link (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar).
• One video sample per artwork may be submitted, up to two minutes in length; an additional link to a full-length video may be included.
• Videos requiring login access will not be reviewed.
• Artworks requiring projection may be required to have the appropriate technology supplied, based on the venue’s discretion. 

Works involving photography that reference ceramic materials or processes may be considered at the jurors’ discretion.

All work must be structurally sound and installable. Floor and pedestal work must be self-supporting. 

Wall-mounted work must include secure hanging hardware.

Individual components must weigh under 100 lbs. and fit through a standard 36” x 80”.

NCECA and the venue reserve the right to exclude work that cannot be safely installed or arrives in unstable condition.

Final selections are contingent upon the venue’s ability to accommodate the work.

NUMBER OF WORKS

Artists may submit up to three individual (3) artworks.

Each artwork may include up to two (2) media files (e.g., image, detail image, video, or audio), for a maximum of six (6) media files total.

EXCLUSIONS

NCECA reserves the right to exclude:

• Submissions with more than three artworks or more than two images per artwork
• Works in progress or representations of works in progress will not be considered.
• Works previously exhibited in NCECA Cornerstone exhibitions (Annual, NJSE, MCFE)
• Submissions with incomplete answers to questions
• The same work submitted to multiple NCECA calls in the same year
• Work without a retail value listed.
• Retail value must be provided for all works, regardless of sale status for insurance purposes. This value cannot be changed once submitted.
  • Works without a retail value listed will not be accepted.

NOTE:

Submitted work must be available and match the original application. 

No substitutions or alterations will be permitted after submission or acceptance.

Selected works must remain on view for the full duration of the exhibition.

ENTRY PREPARATION & APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must create or log in to their CaFÉ™ account and ensure their contact information is current before submitting an application.

If you have not used your account recently, allow sufficient time to resolve any account issues before the deadline.

All media files must be uploaded to your CaFÉ™ portfolio and comply with CaFÉ™ specifications. For account setup, media requirements, tutorials, and technical support, visit the CaFÉ™ Help Center.

Click HERE specifically for information about uploading media.

IMPORTANT: NCECA will not extend the submission deadline for applicants who experience technical difficulties with CaFÉ™ after 4:00 p.m. MT on June 17, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

1. Prepare all application materials in advance, including images that meet CaFÉ™ specifications, artwork details, and required written statements.
2. Ensure that all written statements comply with NCECA's character limits.
3. Save copies of all submitted text for your records.
4. Carefully proofread all materials before submission. Submitted text should be publication-ready.

If selected, NCECA reserves the right to edit submitted statements for the exhibition catalog to ensure consistency with its style guide and to address spelling, grammar, length, and clarity. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

Provide a print-ready artist’s statement in the first person that offers context for your work. You may include insights into your creative process, material choices, influences, and the ideas or themes you explore through clay.

• This statement will be included in the Exhibition Catalog
• Character limit: 600–1,000 characters (including spaces; approximately 100–150 words)
• Do not include biographical information.

ARTWORK STATEMENTS

Provide a brief statement for each submitted artwork.

• Total character limit: 2,000 characters (including spaces), shared across all submitted works.
• Describe how each work relates to the exhibition concept and, if applicable, relevant processes or media.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Provide a short biographical statement written in the third person. 

• This is about you, not your artwork or your process.
• This statement will be included in the Exhibition Catalog
• Character Limit: 300–700 characters, including spaces (approximately 50-100 words)

Important: Your biographical statement must be between 300 and 700 characters, even though CaFÉ™ allows up to 1,000 characters. Statements that exceed 700 characters may be disqualified or truncated.

PRONOUNS (optional)

CV

Upload a two-page CV highlighting career accomplishments.

• Maximum file size: 2 MB
• File type: PDF or Word document

HEADSHOT

Submit a high-quality portrait of the artist.

• File type: JPG or PNG
• Minimum dimensions: 900 × 900 pixels
  (Equivalent to 3 × 3 inches at 300 ppi; 6" at 150 ppi; 12.5" at 72 ppi)
• Images larger than 900 pixels are acceptable; smaller images will not be used

Use this file naming format:
FirstName LastName_2027ANNUAL_Photo credit_PhotographerName.jpg

Example:
Tammy Lynn_2027ANNUAL_Photo credit_Robert Couto.jpg

WEIGHT OF ARTWORK IN LBS.

IS THE WORK TO BE WALL MOUNTED?

SOCIAL MEDIA

Share up to two links (e.g., Instagram, website).
If not applicable, enter “NONE.”

IMAGES

Submit up to three artworks, with a maximum of two media files per work.

• Format: JPG (preferred)
• Minimum: 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• Maximum file size: 5 MB
• Color profile: sRGB
• Images must be high resolution.
• The submitted work must be available for the exhibition and match the original entry.

DETAIL IMAGES:
Detail or alternate views must be clearly labeled.

IF SELECTED

You will be required to upload higher-resolution images for publication:

• Minimum dimensions: 2700 × 3600 pixels
  (Equivalent to 9 × 12 inches at 300 ppi; 18 × 24" at 150 ppi; 37.5 × 50" at 72 ppi)
• File type: JPG or PNG
• Upload via Dropbox (link provided upon selection)

REVIEW (Uploading Media to CaFÉ™): - https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-CaFÉ™/uploading-media
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPddZVJzTAE&t=3s

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

Each work submitted must include the following information:

1. Title Listed exactly as it should appear on the artwork label.
2. Medium (60-character limit, including spaces)
   • This will appear on the artwork label and in the exhibition catalog.
3. Dimensions   Height × Width × Depth (in inches). IN THIS ORDER.
   • Do not use feet or metric measurements.
4. Artwork for Sale?   Yes or No
5. Price / Retail Value   A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.
   • This value cannot be changed after submission.
6. Year Completed
7. Primary Discipline Ceramics
8. Description Include any additional information you would like the jurors to know about the work.

Important: All submissions must include a declared monetary value for insurance purposes.   Works without a retail value listed will not be accepted.

Please proofread carefully. This information may be used for insurance documentation, publicity materials, exhibition labels, and the catalog.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Work will be reviewed based on submitted images and statements.

Final selections are contingent on the venue’s ability to install the work safely and professionally.

The artwork submitted must be available for the entirety of the exhibition. No substitutions or changes to the artwork will be accepted.

Selected artists will be notified via the CaFÉ™ System by August 14, 2026. Please check your spam folder before contacting NCECA.

SHIPPING, DELIVERY, AND RETURN OF ARTWORK

All artwork must be shipped through MyProFreight and arrive at the MyProFreight warehouse in Baltimore between February 1 and February 14.

If accepted, artists must contact Glen Frick at MyProFreight to arrange shipping:
Email: glen@myprofreight.com
Phone: 763-432-2130

Artists are responsible for:

• Securely packing all artwork for shipment.
• Arranging shipment through MyProFreight.
• Paying all shipping and transit insurance costs.
• Prepaying return shipping costs.

Shipping expenses can be significant. Artists are strongly encouraged to research and budget all shipping-related costs in advance. NCECA cannot provide funding beyond the support outlined in the Shipping Reimbursement section of this prospectus.

Please note that NCECA, its agents, and representatives are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to artwork. Artists may file claims with the insured venue or shipping carrier, as applicable.

If artwork is damaged during transit, replacement work may not be accepted.

SHIPPING REIMBURSEMENT

NCECA will reimburse up to $400 per artist for shipping or transport.

• Ground shipping only (unless international shipping requires otherwise)
• Mileage reimbursement for hand delivery: $0.505 per mile
• Return shipping for sold work is the responsibility of the purchaser
• Rush fees are not reimbursable unless pre-approved
• Artists must retain and submit receipts with proof of payment for reimbursement

If multiple works by an artist are selected, the artist must:

• Obtain a combined shipping quote
• Request NCECA approval to increase the reimbursement cap based on the number of accepted works before signing an agreement

Note: This does not apply to a single entry consisting of multiple components.

Please do not contact the NCECA office to increase your shipping reimbursement unless you have more than one work accepted into the exhibition.

DOCUMENTING PACKING PROCESS

NCECA strongly recommends that artists document their packing process with photographs and brief written descriptions prior to sealing crates or boxes for shipment. This documentation may be necessary to support claims for damage incurred during transit.

RETURN OF UNSOLD WORK

Return shipping must be prepaid by the artist, who must be listed as the shipper of record.

At the close of the exhibition, the venue will repack works using the original crate or box. Artists are responsible for providing suitable, reusable packing materials; inadequate materials may result in additional repacking charges.

The venue cannot store artwork after the exhibition closes. Artists must be available to receive the return shipment upon delivery or make alternative arrangements in advance. 

INSURANCE

The venue will insure artwork only while it is on the premises. Artists are responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for their work during transit to and from the venue.

All submitted works must include a declared retail value, regardless of whether the work is for sale.

In the event of loss or damage, artists may be required to provide documentation supporting the declared value of the work, such as records of comparable sales or other evidence of market value.

SALES

Artists may choose whether to offer their work for sale. However, all works must include a declared retail value for insurance purposes, regardless of sale status.

For works that are sold, the artist will receive 50% of the sale price.

Shipping costs for purchased artwork are the responsibility of the collector. Shipping arrangements should be coordinated between the collector, the artist, and MyProFreight. 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Participating artists agree to allow NCECA, the exhibition venue, and gallery visitors to photograph work while on display for educational and promotional purposes.

NCECA and the venue may retain images of accepted works and use them for promotional and reporting purposes, including on the NCECA/Venue website, social media, print publications, and electronic communications. Images may also be shared with news and arts and culture media outlets.

CATALOG

NCECA reserves the right to produce a full-color print, print-on-demand, and/or digital catalog in conjunction with the exhibition. The catalog may include a curatorial essay, artist statements, artist biographies, and images of works by participating artists.

If a print or print-on-demand catalog is produced, each participating artist will receive one complimentary copy. Additional copies may be available for purchase.

CONFERENCE PASS AND MEMBERSHIP

Selected artists will receive a complimentary NCECA conference pass and one-year membership for the 2027 conference.

Artists who are current NCECA members will have their membership extended by one year.

Conference passes and memberships are non-transferable. The conference pass is valid only for the 2027 NCECA conference.

CALENDAR

Deadline:
June 17, 2026, 11:59 PM MT (no late entries)

Notification:
By August 14, 2026

Loan Agreements Due:
Within 1 week of receipt

Artists Set-up Account with MyProfreight: Nov 1–Dec 31

Shipping Location: MyProFreight Warehouse in Baltimore, Maryland

Delivery Window (Shipped): Feb 1–14, 2027

Delivery Window  (Hand-delivered - appointment required): February 15–19, 2027

Installation: Feb 22 – Mar 5, 2027
Exhibition: Mar 10 – Jun 6, 2027

CHARM, 61st Annual NCECA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland: March 10–13, 2027
Reception: Thu, Mar 11, 6–8 PM

Deinstallation: Jun 7–22, 2027
Return Shipping: Jun 7–30, 2027

Damage Claims:
Inspect work immediately upon return

Reimbursement Deadline:
June 29, 2027 (form provided at exhibition close)

If you experience technical issues, contact CaFÉ™ support at cafe@wearecreativewest.org

Please allow 2–3 hours for a response, especially during times of high email volume.

NCECA staff cannot provide technical assistance within the CaFÉ™ platform

When in doubt,

• Clear your Cache
• Close and reopen CaFÉ™
• Files should be .jpg
• Switch to a different browser.  Some people have switched to a different browser to upload their headshots.
• Contact cafe@westaf.org

The CaFÉ™ website is best viewed with the following desktop browsers:

Firefox: current version
Safari: current version
Chrome: current version

Application Requirements

All work must be primarily ceramic. Mixed media works are eligible only when clay is the dominant material. Video works featuring clay or ceramics will also be considered.

Artists may submit no more than three (3) artworks with two (2) media files per artwork.

High-resolution images are required.

NCECA reserves the right to exclude any submissions with incomplete answers to questions.

Height × Width × Depth (in inches). Do not use feet or metric measurements.

A retail value must be provided, even if the work is not for sale.  This value cannot be changed after submission.

Works previously exhibited in an NCECA exhibition are not eligible.

The same work may not be submitted to more than one NCECA exhibition call.

Eligibility Criteria

Submission is open to the broad field of ceramic art.

Applicants must be 18 or older and not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program. Student artists should apply to the NCECA Juried Student Exhibition.

NCECA membership is not required, but members receive complimentary entry.

Entry Fees
Member: $0; Non-member: $50

Membership Verification
Membership status will be verified. Check your account or contact support@nceca.net.
Join or renew: https://nceca.net/members