NCECA is the Comic-Con for ceramicists. The AutoRai not for motorheads but creatives. In other words, Libelle’s (a typical Dutch women magazine) summer week on steroid, but with our US friends.
It is an annual five-day cultural, political and educational event where every ceramics enthusiast is welcome. A symposium, discussion arena, meeting place, breeding ground and much more.
No idea what I’m talking about? Then let me tell you what I so enjoyed to participate in the last few days… A huge international group of ceramics enthusiasts live together. But at a safe 6 feet distance.
What is NCECA?
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1966. The goal: “to promote the creation, teaching and learning through clay in the contemporary world”.
In 1967, the first conference was held at Michigan State University. This annual gathering for members grew in the 80s/90s of the last century into a large annual event for an ever-growing group of (American) ceramicists.
But it wasn’t just NCECA that changed, the “contemporary world” also changed with it (or was it the other way around?). The world became more international and virtual. People visited each other via Internet, MySpace, FB and all kinds of other digital platforms.
The “clay community” also became more international in the 21st century. Among other things through videos on YouTube.
NCECA goes virtual
From 2012, NCECA also started putting videos on YouTube. I got to know NCECA from the Netherlands, behind a PC, about five years ago. Ceramics discussions, lectures, and techniques. An exchange of knowledge all accessible from my lazy (PC) chair. What more could I wish for?
To be there, of course! For me, that has always been an Atlantic Ocean too far. So far at least, because in the past year the “contemporary world” has changed enormously. Viruses did not seem to mind any of our borders… Due to the pandemic, it became clear (in abundance) how connected the world is. But also connected by ideas, art, clay and a fast internet.
NCECA 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19, but in 2021 it was transformed into a virtual meeting. Without any barrier, I was able to participate from within the Netherlands! To paraphrase Johan Cruijf again “Every disadvantage has its advantages“.
The clay community embraces itself remotely
Registered for NCECA and connected to the Internet, I was ready for the conference. With a small time difference (5 hours) I have been able to follow the presentations live with Zoom in the past few days. From lectures on crystal glazes, 3d scanning/printing and color mixing based on geometric shapes to demonstrations across a whole range of ceramic techniques.
But also interactive discussions about inclusivity in the clay community, social commentary in art, activism and comunity building. Too much to list here and surely t much to see everything during the conference. “It blew my mind,” to say it in an American style.
Watching the NCECA lectures on YouTube is great. But attending a discussion live or questioning the speaker directly with the chat function is even more fun. It really brings the clay community closer together than ever before, despite its physical distance.
A virtual embrace of ceramicists from all over the world, just what I needed.
NCECA thank you!
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