Oklahoma Contemporary is proud to share that our senior manager of Studio School, David Stevens, has an article in the May 2026 issue of Ceramics Monthly.
In “Arch Reset,” Stevens offers a firsthand account of a kiln arch collapse and the process of rebuilding—reflecting the technical expertise, care, and problem-solving that underpin ceramics practice in the studio. As part of Oklahoma Contemporary’s Studio School, Stevens leads the state’s largest community ceramics programs, where hands-on learning and shared knowledge are central to the creative experience.
Be sure to register for Studio School summer classes and workshops! Registration opens June 1 for members and June 8 for the public.
Catch David Stevens's upcoming class:
Teen Intensives | Pottery Wheel-Throwing
July 20-24 | 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Ages 13-15
Read more in the May issue of Ceramics Monthly.
We had a little disaster last summer @okcontemporary and I wrote an article about it. @ceramics_monthly thought it was good enough to put in next months issue! Feels pretty good. Thank you to everyone that helped with the article and the disaster. @stuartasprey@mrsjonathanhart@dougcasebeer@vandyneceramics and Karina. You can check out the article online and at most if not all major bookstores next month! I also have a 20% off subscription code good April 22- May 6 “stevens526” AND! @uofokceramics has a pretty big presence in the issue from the new editor @ohmargie to a full page ad featuring @marissa_ceramics and @cjcarterclay was named an emerging artist!#ceramics #ceramicsmonthly #ocacclay #kilns #ocacclay @ou_sova
“Art is a Contrarian Tyrant Masquerading as Messiah” now on view @okcontemporary as part of the studio school show. Both the print and the rock are completely clay, the print is porcelain with various mason stains fired to cone 10. Screen printed porcelain, stoneware, underglaze, specialty glaze, hardboard, basswood, latex paint, adhesive. 15 x 9.25 x 1.5, 2025 #ceramics #sculpture #tromploeil #firedinaskutt #ocacclay #oklahomacontemporary #screenprinting #slipcast #porcelain
“Foundation Series: Propinquity”
stoneware, screen printed porcelain, acrylic, commercial standoffs. 4 x 7.75 x 3.75. 2025 My piece for @ovac_ok 12x12 fundraiser. Propinquity refers to physical proximity, in psychology it is used to reference romantic relationships that develop due to that physical proximity. The text is a reference to Toni Morrison’s book “The Song of Solomon” #ceramics #sculpture #tromploeil #clayistheway #ocacclay #screenprinting #porcelain #firedinaskutt #slipcasting #oklahomacontemporary
Sent this Teabowl fired in @uofokceramics train kiln off to @laneyartgallery for Stoked. Thanks to @scottparady for the acceptance. Pinched A1 @mammothclay , shino, natural ash, enamel #ceramics #teabowl #shino #woodfiredceramics #oklahomacontemporary #ocacclay
Sending this quiet pinch bowl off to @strictlyfunctionalpottery big thanks to juror @markhewittpottery for the acceptance. This show has eluded me since grad school, it feels good to finally get in, especially with a juror whom’s work and impact I have admired since undergrad. Pinched mastodon from @mammothclay screenprinted porcelain, soft brick grog from @okcontemporary gas kiln arch, cone 10 neutral. 4.25 x 5 x 5, 2025
“Cairn of Childhood” 9 x 4.75 x 6, stoneware, underglaze, glaze, acrylic, enamel, multiple firings ^04-10
Excited to send this off to @goggleworks for “Sculpted Stories: Visual Narratives in Clay” huge thanks to juror @georgesculpts . A cairn is a human-made stack of loose found rocks and stone to signify important landmarks and memorials found around the globe. Contemporary cairns are associated with trail and summit marking for hikers and travelers above the tree line or in desolate landscapes with little to no natural landmarks to use as a guide. These found object cairns reflect my personal history serving as guide as I navigate the uncharted landscape of adulthood. Each cairn is made from a library of pocket memories, objects reflecting both important moments from my past and those mundane objects that grow into importance as they travel on the peripheral of our lives. #ceramics #clay #sculpture #tromploeil #firedinaskutt #speedballunderglaze #oneshotletteringenamel #slipcasting #oklahomacontemporary #ocacclay #tchotchkes
New work rolling out of the studio. Learning new materials is fun but slow. 8.75 x 4.25 x 4, casting stoneware, screenprinted colored porcelain, underglaze, acrylic, plexiglass, commercial sign standoffs, screws, mounting putty, liquid nails. #ceramics #scultpure #tromploeil #screenprinting #slipcasting #speedballunderglaze #firedinaskutt
Excited to be sending out pieces from two very different bodies of work to Shapes of Influence @springfield.art Large Brick 03307.1, stoneware, glaze, underglaze. 2025 Remember 03280.1, stoneware, porcelain, printed colored porcelain slip 2025. #ceramics #sculpture #slipcast #tromploeil #firedinaskutt #speedballunderglaze #oklahomacontemporary #shapesofinfluence2025 #ocacclay
Excited to be sending this new work off to one of my favorite shows, Small Favors @theclaystudiophl “Momento Mori” slipcast and handbuilt stoneware, porcelain slip, glaze, underglaze #smallfavors2025 #ceramics #sculpture #slipcast #pickles #trompeloeil #screenprinting #speedballunderglaze #oklahomacontemporary #ocacclay
Finally got this piece remade after @fedex broke the original. While very frustrating it did force me to address issues I had with the original piece and implement some new techniques and just general updates.
Cultural Study 0569.2, slipcast stoneware, underglaze, lowfire glaze, overglaze enamel, printing ink, linen, pine, wood glue 21 x 8 x 3 #slipcast #trompeloeil #clay #ceramics #tchotchkes #wallart #screenprinting #firedinaskutt #speedballunderglaze #clayistheway #sculpture #interdisciplinaryart #ocacclay #oklahomacontemporary #portfoliobox_newyork
Dropped this lil dude off for @ovac_ok annual fundraiser #12x12 happening Friday Sept 20. This is the smallest teapot I’ve made yet, with the largest dimension sitting just over 4.25 inches tall. This smaller scale has its challenges but I am really enjoying the intimacy of play within the final object and the process. Oh, and the owl is the spout. #ceramics #sculpture #trompeloeil #teapot #ovac #tchotchkes #clayistheway #firedinaskutt #speedballunderglaze #oneshotletteringenamel #ocacclay #oklahomacontemporary
