2027 Main Presenters
Tony Borchardt
For Tony Borchardt, great pottery begins with purpose. Inspired by industrial objects, machinery, and architectural forms, he creates functional ceramics that combine clean geometry, structural precision, and richly textured surfaces. His work transforms everyday utility into thoughtfully crafted objects that invite both use and close observation.
Borchardt's career spans decades as both a studio potter and educator. After beginning as a production potter and earning his MFA, he spent nearly twenty-five years as a full-time professor, mentoring emerging artists while continuing to refine his own studio practice. Today, he exhibits nationally and regularly leads workshops, sharing the techniques, craftsmanship, and traditions that have shaped his career.
Ariel Bowman
Growing up surrounded by the undeveloped woodlands of Texas, Ariel Bowman developed a deep appreciation for the natural world that continues to shape her work today. Through sculptural ceramics and mixed media, she creates pieces inspired by the animals and environments that first sparked her imagination.
Bowman earned her BFA in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute and her MFA from the University of Florida. She has also studied at the International Ceramics Studio in Hungary, received both undergraduate and graduate NCECA fellowships, and completed an artist residency at the Armory Art Center. Her work is held in the collections of the Belger Arts Center, the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
Yael Braha
Bold, minimalist, and unmistakably contemporary, Yael Braha's ceramic work blurs the line between sculpture and function. Drawing on her background in graphic design and multimedia arts, she creates one-of-a-kind forms that balance striking simplicity with thoughtful craftsmanship.
An Italian artist of North African descent, Braha has earned international recognition for her work, including honors from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, the American Craft Council, and the Mino International Ceramic Triennale in Japan. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world and is included in the permanent collections of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Japan.
Cesar Pita
For Cesar Pita, clay is more than a medium—it's a connection to family, heritage, and the stories that shape identity. Through wheel-thrown vessels and sculptural ceramics, he explores the experiences of first-generation Latino children, honoring the resilience of immigrant families and the complex balance between preserving tradition and adapting to a new culture.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in the South, Pita draws inspiration from his own family's history, including his grandfather, who made bricks by hand in Mexico. His work blends traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary storytelling, creating powerful pieces that celebrate cultural memory while giving voice to communities whose stories are too often overlooked.
Pita's work has been featured in a solo exhibition at Elephant Gallery and during his artist residency at Arcade Arts in Nashville, where he was also highlighted in a PBS segment showcasing the impact of local artists. Attendees of the 2027 Alabama Clay Conference will have the opportunity to experience his thoughtful approach to ceramics and hear how personal history, craftsmanship, and community come together in his work.