Farnsworth explores Maine ceramics in ‘Quiet Riot’

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland will present “Quiet Riot: Making Ceramics in Maine” in its 365 Gallery from July 10 to Nov. 8.

Led by the museum’s Learning & Engagement department, the exhibition explores ceramics through the lens of experimentation, process and community while highlighting artists who have helped shape Maine’s ceramic arts landscape.

At the heart of the exhibition is the enduring influence of the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, a nationally recognized residency program that has served as a creative incubator for nearly four decades. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2027, Watershed has fostered generations of artists who have embraced clay as a medium of discovery, collaboration and innovation.

Featured artists include Yeonsoo Kim, Jihye Han, Lynn Duryea, Chris Gustin, Nancy Train-Smith, David East, Arnie Zimmerman, John Glick, Morel Doucet, Mark Burns, Matthew Dercole and the collaborative team of Mark Bell and Siem van der Ven. As co-founders, faculty members, residents, workshop leaders and advocates, these artists share a commitment to experimentation and material exploration, each bringing a distinct perspective to the evolving language of contemporary ceramics.

“So many of the artists in Quiet Riot have told me that clay is a medium that naturally lends itself to experimentation and discovery,” said Gwendolyn Loomis Smith, the Farnsworth’s Phyllis Wyeth Director of Learning & Engagement and curator of the exhibition. “No matter how experienced an artist may be, the best work often emerges through mistakes, reworking, refining, and learning. Ceramics is also deeply communal. It takes a community to fire a kiln — everyone has a role, and each part is just as important as the next. There’s a remarkable story here about creativity, collaboration, and the willingness to embrace the unexpected.”

The exhibition also examines the significance of Maine’s native clay, which inspired Watershed’s founding vision and remains central to its mission today. Many artists arrive at Watershed with experience working in porcelain or other refined clay bodies, only to discover new creative possibilities through the local earthenware clay found on the property.

That spirit of openness extends beyond the studio. In addition to their individual artistic achievements, the artists featured in “Quiet Riot” share a dedication to teaching, mentorship and community engagement. Their involvement with Watershed reflects a belief in ceramics as both a personal practice and a collective endeavor.

The exhibition also includes a selection of works from the Watershed Study Collection — rarely seen archival pieces left behind by artists at the conclusion of their residencies. Presented publicly for the first time, these works offer a record of experimentation across generations. Varied in form, glaze and technique, they reveal the expansive possibilities of the medium and challenge conventional notions of what ceramics can be.

During the run of the exhibition, public programs will invite audiences to engage directly with artists and explore the creative processes behind their work. An artist celebration will be held during the Farnsworth’s First Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 7. Admission is free.

Farnsworth Art Museum is at 16 Museum St., Rockland. Call 207-596-6457, or visit farnsworthmuseum.org for more information.