Black Clay Showcases Expansive Explorations in Ceramics for Black History Month

Ceramic shows in the Central District, Capitol Hill and on Bainbridge Island reveal the vast range of the medium by Black artists.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 8:47pm

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A collaborative exhibit called 'Black Clay' at Arte Noir in Seattle's Central District features a rich array of artworks by two-dozen Black artists working in clay across the country. The show illustrates the vast possibilities of this ancient medium, with works ranging from a self-portrait bust by Willow Vergara-Agyakwa to deliciously unnerving ceramic creatures by Seattle artist Sierra Bundy. Additional ceramic exhibits by Black artists can be found at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and AMcE Creative Arts on Capitol Hill, all celebrating the medium during Black History Month.

Why it matters

The 'Black Clay' exhibit and other ceramic shows around Seattle highlight the work of Black artists using this ancient medium to explore personal stories, cultural histories, and the power of objects as signifiers. These exhibits provide an expansive look at the range and depth of contemporary ceramic art by Black creators.

The details

The 'Black Clay' exhibit at Arte Noir features works like Willow Vergara-Agyakwa's self-portrait bust 'Tangled Roots | Weeping Willow,' which hints at the artist's mixed race heritage. Seattle artist Sierra Bundy presents several delightfully unnerving ceramic 'protector' creatures. Austin-based sculptor Tammie Rubin's 'Always & Forever (forever, ever)' series explores the power of objects as signifiers and mythic relics. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art hosts Olympia-based artist Aisha Harrison's show 'Porous Body,' where human and nature merge in large sculptural forms. And on Capitol Hill, the group show 'Sacred' at AMcE Creative Arts includes a wall installation by Pullman-based artist Io Palmer, creating colorful 'thickets' of abstract clay bundles.

  • The 'Black Clay' exhibit at Arte Noir is on view through February 22, 2026.
  • The 'Porous Body' exhibit at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is on view through February 22, 2026.
  • The 'Sacred' group show at AMcE Creative Arts on Capitol Hill is on view through March 15, 2026.

The players

Willow Vergara-Agyakwa

An artist based in Los Angeles who created the self-portrait bust 'Tangled Roots | Weeping Willow' featured in the 'Black Clay' exhibit.

Sierra Bundy

A Seattle artist who presents several deliciously unnerving ceramic 'protector' creatures in the 'Black Clay' exhibit.

Tammie Rubin

An Austin-based ceramic sculptor whose 'Always & Forever (forever, ever)' series is featured in the 'Black Clay' exhibit, exploring the power of objects as signifiers and mythic relics.

Aisha Harrison

An Olympia-based ceramic artist whose show 'Porous Body' is on view at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, where human and nature merge in large sculptural forms.

Io Palmer

A Pullman-based artist whose colorful 'thicket' wall installation 'The Cut Through' is included in the 'Sacred' group show at AMcE Creative Arts on Capitol Hill.

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What they’re saying

“This is my body, my ancient memory, meeting up with some kind of spiritual place. In that process, I feel connected to everything — plants, animals.... I want to be in this space of in-between, I want to live under the dappled sunlight of the maple.”

— Aisha Harrison, Artist

“The installations are about honoring unseen paths, tangled growth. They trace the winding, wild and often uncomfortable journeys of people of color and offer a space that honors the arrival, the joy and the recognition.”

— Io Palmer, Artist

What’s next

The 'Black Clay' exhibit at Arte Noir will remain on view through February 22, 2026, providing opportunities for visitors to explore the expansive range of ceramic art by Black artists during Black History Month.

The takeaway

The ceramic exhibits showcasing the work of Black artists in Seattle this month illustrate the vast possibilities of the medium, from personal explorations of identity and culture to powerful symbolic works that honor the journeys and experiences of people of color. These shows provide an important platform to celebrate the creativity and artistry of the Black ceramic community.