About the Exhibition
Houston is a city that has been defined by its waterways, and their interactions with the people who live here. Much like a potter, the city sits watchful over the bayous and considers the careful balance of earth and moisture – will the rains bring green growth and cool breezes, or will they overwhelm the streets and risk flooding our homes? With careful hands, we continue on in our work to shape and form the city, day by day. But we're not alone in that work – Houston is invariably shaped by its connections to its neighbors.
Situated at the junction of the San Jacinto River basin and Buffalo Bayou, forming the Houston Ship Channel. The city is fed directly by the stream of people, ideas, and resources that have made it the nation’s fourth most populous city. But no city can be fully described by the contents of its borders. We also have to look upriver to the tributaries that have brought fertile soil downriver to us, enriching our lives.
Texas Tributaries is a juried group exhibition of artists from Texas and its neighbors. Organized by ClayHouston, the show explores contemporary ceramic work from this unique part of the country. How are we connected by clay? How do we create community across distances? And how do these elements combine to nourish creative soil?
Texas is a state caught in-between classifications. Are we part of the South? The Midwest? The West? In some ways, we're all of them and none of them at the same time. In presenting this exhibition, we're looking to understand the region's ceramics artists, and the unique connections they share as residents and neighbors of Texas.
Juror for Texas Tributaries: Anna Mayer
Anna Mayer uses ceramics—dirt that becomes stone-like once heated—to respond to colonial legacies within land use, archaeology, and 1960s-70s Land Art. Solo exhibitions include the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Jung Center (Houston), and A-B Projects (CA). Group exhibitions include Artpace (TX), Moody Center for the Arts (TX), Blaffer Art Museum (TX), Ballroom Marfa (TX), California Museum of Photography, Los Angeles Nomadic Division (CA), and Greenwich House Pottery's Jane Hartsook Gallery (NY).
In 2021, Mayer was invited by UK organizations Arts Cabinet and the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society to conduct collaborative research with an engineer from the Hazelab at Imperial College, London. Mayer is a 2023 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow, 2024 Houston Artadia Awardee and 2025 Guggenheim Fellow.
Eligibility and Media
Texas Tributaries is open to artists working with clay in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. Work must be completed within the last two years, and not previously shown with ClayHouston. Other materials are accepted in the piece, but each work must be made of at least 70% of clay.
Application Fee and Entries
General public: $40
Students: $10 (Current students enrolled in degree-seeking programs at accredited colleges or universities are eligible for the discounted rate. Proof of enrollment may be required.)
Number of Entries: 3 (each artist may submit up to three pieces (diptych and triptychs included) for consideration via a blind jury selection process.)
Fees from applications are used to cover exhibition expenses, juror stipend, and awards to selected artists.
Jury Selection Process
Artists who have successfully completed applications and paid application fees will have their images and work descriptions presented to our juror by ClayHouston. As a blind selection process, your work will be presented without identifying contact information. Works will be judged based on artistic merit and suitability for exhibition at Monterroso Gallery, with a limited number of applications accepted for inclusion in Texas Tributaries.
Awards
In celebration and recognition of the talent of our region, ClayHouston and our juror Anna Mayer will award three prizes to exemplary artworks, representing the following categories:
Ceramic Excellence Award: $1000
Southern Merit Award: $750
Honorable Mention: $500
Exhibition Timeline
June 15: Submissions open
September 1: Submissions close
September 30: Notifications of selection sent via email
November 7-8: Drop off at gallery (mailed works must arrive by October 21)
November 8-12: Installation
November 13, 6-8pm: Opening Reception
December 4: Exhibition closes
December 5-6: Work pick up
Size Specifications
Due to space restrictions, size restrictions will be enforced.
Wall mounted work must not exceed 24”x 24” and must weigh less than 50 pounds. All wall mounted work must be delivered ready to hang and be accompanied by appropriate hanging hardware (no adhesives like command strips, or tape, and no butterfly bolts or large bolts). If necessary, please include a guide or hanging instructions.
Pedestal work must be no larger than 18” W x 18” D and be ready for exhibition. There is not a restriction on the height of artworks. Please note on your submission page if any stand is included in the price.
Freestanding work must not exceed 24”W x 24”D.
Submission Requirements
• Must submit high quality, professional images, at least 300 dpi, and sized so that the largest dimension is 6 inches (1800 pixels). Files must be saved as a JPEG.
• Images can not be edited or altered, including color correction.
• Please check to make sure all files are complete and will open in their respective software. Please adhere to all format/file type requirements.
• Name image files with the surname of the artist, followed by the first name, and name of work. (example: smith_john_bluevase.jpg).
• Each entry must have a title, materials and techniques description, dimensions, and, if applicable, a retail price. Each artist may submit up to three pieces.
• By agreeing to exhibit, each artist gives ClayHouston permission to use the submitted digital images for promotional purposes.
• Hanging work cannot weigh more than 50 lbs, and must include appropriate hardware and templates or instructions when applicable. Required hardware must be provided for all works that require installation
• If your artwork is difficult to install or very fragile, you must either be available to assist (online or in person) or come install it with us directly.
• Artist-provided pedestals must be made of wood and painted a matte white.
We cannot accept metal or colored pedestals at this time. Upon providing a pedestal, you agree that your piece may be placed on a different pedestal (unless custom to piece) and/or may be shared with another piece at the discretion of ClayHouston.
Shipping
Artists who plan to ship their work are responsible for all shipping expenses. Please plan to include a return shipping label with your shipment. Shipped works must arrive in Houston between October 1st and 21st. More details will be sent if the piece is accepted.
Gallery Information
Founded in 2020, Monterroso Gallery embarked on a meaningful journey within Houston's art landscape. Our commitment initially focused on showcasing the works of local artists and collaborating with respected curators from the art community. Today, we continue to deepen this dedication.
As an artist herself, our founder, Guatemalan artist Gabriela Monterroso, understands the artist's path. Under her guidance, Monterroso Gallery has grown into a nurturing space for artists, hosting over 40 exhibitions showcasing more than 100 local artists. Through these exhibitions, we have nurtured genuine connections and provided invaluable opportunities for artists to thrive.
Monterroso Gallery will be open on Saturdays (November 14, 21 and 28) from 12-5pm, and by appointment. The gallery is located at:
Monterosso Gallery
3911 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
About ClayHouston
ClayHouston exists to cultivate, promote, and advance the ceramic arts in the Houston Metropolitan area and beyond. We work to provide our members with opportunities through education, professional development, exhibitions, workshops, and programs while partnering with local arts organizations to further our reach. Additionally, we create recreational programs as an opportunity for our members to socialize, build community and learn from one another in a casual atmosphere. ClayHouston was founded in 2004 and is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Any questions please email: info@clayhouston.org