Behold the Cup by the Fairbanks Potters Guild

On View: November 7 – 29, 2025
First Friday Opening Reception: Friday, November 7, 5 – 7 p.m.

(Gallery opens at noon on First Fridays)

The Bear Gallery is located on the third floor of the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts building in Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska. Admission to the Bear Gallery is free of charge and open to the public Monday – Saturday from 12 – 6 p.m.

From the humble container of tea, soup, or sugar, to the elevated trophy or chalice, and even to its metaphorical use in the Psalms as a symbol of fate, the cup endures as one of humanity’s most essential and expressive forms.

Across cultures and centuries, the cup has served in ritual, in the home, and in moments of gathering — from the Japanese tea bowl, traditionally made without a handle so that tea could be sipped warm from the hand, to the English teacup, designed with a handle to protect the delicate fingers of its drinkers.

Each ceramic artist brings a unique vision to this timeless form. Some cups are shaped on a wheel, while others are hand-built or cast in molds. Surfaces become canvases for texture, carving, or painted imagery. Even in firing, artists make personal choices: from electric kilns to the unpredictable alchemy of gas or wood firing.

In contrast to the mass-produced cups of modern industry, the handmade ceramic cup offers a tactile and human connection. Formed from the earth itself and shaped by individual hands, it stands as both a functional object and a reflection of artistry, history, and touch.

Behold the ceramic cup.

About the Fairbanks Potters Guild

Founded in 1996, the Fairbanks Potters Guild is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the ceramic arts and supporting potters throughout the Fairbanks area. The Guild sponsors workshops and classes, often hosting world-class visiting artists who share their expertise and inspire local makers.

In addition to fostering artistic growth, the Guild is deeply engaged in community service. Each year, in partnership with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, members organize the Empty Bowls Project, raising awareness and support for hunger relief through handmade ceramic bowls.

Today, the Guild includes about 40 members ranging from full-time ceramic artists to passionate part-time enthusiasts. Guild members meet monthly to share ideas, skills, and creative inspiration.

This exhibition showcases the diverse talents of more than 20 Guild artists, celebrating the vibrant ceramic community that continues to shape and enrich the Fairbanks arts landscape.

Learn more about the Fairbanks Potters Guild by visiting their website fairbankspottersguild.com or follow them on social media @fairbankspottersguild.ak