Cranbrook Ceramics Shines at National NCECA Conference in Detroit

Cranbrook’s ceramics community had a standout month as artists, educators, and students from across the United States gathered in Detroit for the National Conference for Educators of Ceramic Arts (NCECA).

Cranbrook Upper School Ceramics was well represented in several exhibitions. Three Upper School students; Meilin LaSovage '26, Michelle Zhou 27, and Bastien Roy '27 had work featured in a pre-college exhibition hosted by the University of Michigan’s Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design. Their teacher and Cranbrook Artist-in-Residence Joe Smith also exhibited two pieces from the studio.

The Stamps School awarded Meilin LaSovage first prize and Michelle Zhou an honorable mention.

Meanwhile, Cranbrook’s Empty Bowls Club participated in NCECA’s Empty Bowls sale in Eastern Market, raising an additional $400 toward their long-term goal of $100,000.

The Cranbrook Academy of Art hosted the largest gathering of its ceramics graduate alumni at the conference, with more than 100 artists in attendance, including Joe Smith.

The event also marked the 60th anniversary of the conference, drawing former students, classmates, and friends from across the country. Many Cranbrook-Kingswood alumni and friends of Joe Smith reunited in Detroit to celebrate the occasion, remembering those who have passed and welcoming first-time attendees.

Among those reconnecting were Meredith Host '97 and her husband Alex, both working potters based in Kansas City, Missouri.