KANSAS CITY, MO.- A new exhibition at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City brings 24 artists together to display innovative approaches to clay. On view from Feb. 26, Unconventional Clay: Engaged in Change explores connections between clay, art, social issues and process. Works range from small vessels to large scale installations, with artists responding to contemporary issues. The exhibition is the centerpiece of the 50th anniversary conference of NCECA, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, a leading arts organization for artists, educators, curators and collectors of contemporary ceramics.

“The exhibition brings together the passion of artists, exploring innovative uses of clay, while the conference offers students, artists and collectors a broad range of traditional and new artistic expression,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO & Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “The Nelson-Atkins and Kansas City could not be more proud of demonstrating our commitment to this, the most ancestral and versatile of mediums.”

The exhibition is co-curated by Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and NCECA Exhibitions Director Leigh Taylor Mickelson. The installation will be held in the Project Space and adjacent gallery in the Bloch Building.

“Leigh and I were excited to show new work by artists who are pushing the boundaries and manipulating clay as a medium,” said Futter. “We are privileged to work with such talented artists who are changing the way we look at tradition and innovation.”

The exhibition investigates how projection, 3D modeling, video and advanced materials can be combined for aesthetic and intellectual impact to engage visitors in new ways. Unconventional Clay also investigates projects by community-oriented artists that encourage audience interactivity. It runs through June 12.