To Be Human

Clay remembers every touch. It holds the imprint of fingers, the weight of emotion, and the passage of time. To Be Human is a provocative exploration of the human condition through the poignant work of four artists whose work centers the human figure as both subject and symbol. Each of these makers celebrates clay’s ability to hold complexity, contradiction, tenderness and truth while they bring their own lived experience to the work. To Be Human is not just about what a body looks like, but what it carries. The exhibition aims to be a meditation on empathy and our ability to see ourselves in others– to be curious about the stories we do not yet know.

Participating artists include: Cristina Córdova, Michelle Gregor, Ashlyn Pope, and Kensuke Yamada.

Artist Talk: Michelle Gregor
Saturday, September 26, 11 am CT, FREE
Main Exhibition Gallery, Northern Clay Center

Michelle Gregor will discuss her work in the exhibition To Be Human, delving into how she uses the figurative motif along with decades of experience working with clay.

Artist Talk and Demonstration: Kensuke Yamada
Saturday, October 3, starting at 11:00am CT, FREE
Main Exhibition Gallery (Artist Talk)
Teaching Studio C (Demonstration)

Join us for a special presentation and live demonstration with artist and educator Kensuke Yamada. Drawing on his Japanese heritage, Yamada will share how he combines contemporary imagery with elements of Japanese folklore. Through this mix of the familiar and the fantastical, attendees will see how he explores the emotional depth of everyday life to create a space for connection.

Curator Talk & Virtual Panel: To Be Human [International Sculpture Center Conference- Optional Trip]
Wednesday, October 21, from 6:30-8:30pm CT, FREE
Main Exhibition Gallery, Northern Clay Center

Join us for an immersive Discovery Series presentation with curator, Kelly Connole, centered on her approach to developing the exhibition To Be Human. This in-person discussion includes a virtual conversation with participating artists who will discuss their diverse approaches to the figurative motif and share insights into their creative processes. Open to all, this event is offered in partnership with the International Sculpture Center’s 2026 Conference hosted in the Twin Cities.