The 8th annual Flower City Pottery Invitational will bring 19 premier ceramic artists to the nonprofit educational institution Flower City Arts Center this weekend.
“We’re excited to present more than 1,000 works celebrating the best in contemporary clay to Rochester art lovers, along with the opportunity to attend free talks and demonstrations by these world-class artists,” explains Executive Director Kristin Rapp. “There will be much to tempt collectors as well!”

The featured artists were chosen for their craft mastery and unique work, as well as an enthusiasm for the community aspect of the Flower City Arts Center itself, as shown through the free events throughout the weekend.
Invitational events began yesterday with workshops from Brian Chen and Ruth Easterbrook. The weekend will include a variety of discussions and hands-on demonstrations with FCPI artists, including “Illustrating on Pots” with Celia Feldberg, “Compli-clay-ed” with Brooks Oliver, and “T is for Teapot!” with Kyle Lascelle.
Much of Lascelle’s work, a first-time FCPI exhibitor and the Flower City Arts Center ceramics studio manager is related to teapots, reflecting the connections between a functional object and the growth experienced on an inward, personal level.

“We drink and eat and grow imperceptibly older as we dress our days (and pots) with the flowers, birds, cats, quick ideas, long held beliefs, art, and coffee,” his artist statement reads.
“I’m excited to be selected to be amongst such an extraordinary group of artists,” continues Lascelle. “It means so much to me that this organization is bringing contemporary ceramics to Rochester.”
Lascelle’s perspective fits with the artistic essence of other FCPI artists, including Feldberg, whose anthropomorphized animals have a playful, joyful, or comforting nature, and Chen, who creates an organic form in his pieces through inspiration from natural anatomy and science fiction/fantasy.
Toda’s opening reception also raises money for the Flower City Arts Center. The ticket price includes a handcrafted ceramic cup, but other items can be purchased. Admission is free over the weekend.
The Flower City Arts Center is entering its 54th year with a mission of “Arts for All.” The organization says it embraces the fact that the arts elevate humanity through a naturally therapeutic process by providing tools for expression and healing.
The center provides education and arts programming to in-need people in the Rochester community. It supports up to 20 artists-in-residence and many instructors, studio artists, volunteers and interns.
Rapp summarizes: “We are a community-based, not-for-profit organization that educates, encourages, and inspires everyone to create and enjoy the visual arts.”
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].