BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore Clayworks is pleased to present Shino Odyssey, a juried exhibition celebrating the remarkable depth and diversity of one of ceramics’ most distinctive glaze families. On view September 12 - October 31, 2026, the exhibition brings together the work of nearly 90 artists exploring the many possibilities of Shino, from its warm earth tones and soft surfaces to its unpredictable variations shaped by clay, application, atmosphere, and fire. 

Juried by ceramic artist, Matthew Hyleck, Shino Odyssey brings together artists working across generations, geographies, and approaches to ceramic practice. Hyleck has worked with Shino glazes for nearly 25 years and describes the glaze family as offering an extraordinary combination of complexity, sensitivity, and possibility. 

“These glazes remain highly sensitive to clay body, application, kiln atmosphere, and duration of the firing which in turn allows for tremendous diversity with a touch of serendipity,” says Hyleck. 

Shino has a long and influential history in ceramic art. Originating in Japan in the 16th century, traditional Shino is characterized by its high feldspar content and thick, semi-translucent white surface. Over the past 50 years, American ceramic artists have developed their own interpretations of the glaze while retaining its foundational chemistry of feldspar, soda ash, and kaolin.

Artwork by Matt Hyleck

What makes Shino particularly compelling is its sensitivity. Small changes in clay body, glaze application, kiln atmosphere, and firing duration can produce dramatically different results. The glaze may emerge creamy white, peach, orange, or warm earth tones; surfaces can becomeglossy, dry, textured, translucent, or marked by flashes of color and atmospheric variation. The element of unpredictability is central to Shino's appeal.

For Hyleck, the exhibition is also a reflection of the lineage of American ceramic artists who have spent decades testing, refining, failing, and experimenting with Shino. Artists such as Malcolm Davis and Warren MacKenzie helped establish Shino as a significant force in contemporary American ceramics, inspiring generations of potters to explore its possibilities.

“Shino glazes are at times temperamental, ethereal, sumptuous and tantalizing,” Hyleck says. “This exhibit seeks to explore Shino works that best illustrate the depth, range, and variations possible with Shino glazes.”

Rather than presenting a single definition of what Shino can be, Shino Odyssey offers an expansive view of the glaze; one that embraces experimentation, tradition, chance, and the unique relationship between artist and kiln.

The public is invited to celebrate the opening of Shino Odyssey at a reception on Saturday, September 19, from 4:00–6:00 pm at Baltimore Clayworks. The reception is free and open to the public.

About the Juror

Matthew Hyleck received a BFA from Xavier University in 1997. He is currently an associate artist and instructor at Baltimore Clayworks whose outstanding functional pottery has earned recognition by the Maryland State Arts Council IAA in Craft in 2018, 2011, 2007 and 2005 and has received recognition within the field of ceramics. His studio work was featured on the December 2011 Ceramics Monthly cover article. Additionally he has completed visiting artist-residencies at Tainan National University for the Arts, Taiwan R.O.C., Ohio University’s Woodfire Symposium and Watershed Craft Center’s artists invite artists residency. He serves as the education coordinator forBaltimore Clayworks Mt. Washington campus, a position he has held since October 2000. He maintains an active home studio in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Baltimore City.

Participating Artists

June Ambro, Chris Archer, Alexandra Bellay, Shannon Blakey, Doug Blechner, Michael Bridges, Kai Brisk, Jo Brown, Ray Brown, Shannon Brownlee, Ben Burris, Dodie Campbell, Connie Christensen, Bede Clarke, Susan Cohen, Tom Coleman, Jim Connell, Guillermo Cuellar, Lewis Denver, Mark Derby, Edward Dyke, Emma Eckert, Jason Edmonds, Janling Fu, Yuri Gershtein, Chris Gustin, PJ Hargraves, Candice Hensley, Andrew Herstram, Joe Hicks, Steve Hilton, Erica Hood, Samantha Hostert, Janelle Jacobson, Jan McKeachie Johnston, Randy Johnston, Mayumi Kiefer, Lucien Koonce, Jill Fishon-Kovachick, Rebekah Krieger, Nisha Kurani, Ester Kwon, James Lee, Dick Lehman, Lee Love, Daryn Lowman, Joseph Lyon, Keegan Madigan, Anna Maraj, Sam McCall, Heidi Meissner, Dan Molyneux, Sam Momeyer, Kimberly Morey, Eric Ordway, Lucas Pacuraru, Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Doug Peltzman, Alan Perillo, Olivier Peter-Contesse, C. Luc Phinney, Roni Polisar, Carlos Prado, John Reinking, Rebecca Savuto, Loren Scherbak, Amy Schnitzer, Ellen Schön, Luke Sheets, Hitomi Shibata, Takuro Shibata, Michael Simmons, Chris Singewald, Joe Singewald, Christopher St. John, Kiichi Takeuchi,Amelia Taylor, Jack Troy, Salvatore Vascellaro, Sharon Warrington, Hong-Ling Wee, Leathia West, Mat Wheeler, Regina Wickham, Cheston Youngberg, Noelle Zambrano, and Nancy Zimler.

Also on View This Fall

Alongside Shino Odyssey, Baltimore Clayworks will present a range of exhibitions and showcases celebrating contemporary ceramic art, emerging artists, resident artists, and the creativity of the broader Baltimore Clayworks community.

Shared Offerings

A solo exhibition by Ali Saunders, 2024–27 Long-term Resident Artist, exploring parallels between relationships among objects and people. Objects are presented in sets, pairs, and groupings that suggest connection, familial relationships, and shared histories.

New Kids On The Block 2026

The annual Incoming Fellowship and Resident Artist Showcase introduces audiences to the newest artists joining the Baltimore Clayworks community.

Oktoberfest: Beer Stein and Wine Goblet Invitational

A festive celebration of functional ceramics featuring an array of artist-made beer steins and wine goblets, inviting visitors to raise a glass to the creativity of contemporary ceramic artists.

Community Arts Fall Showcase

A celebration of the creativity, voices, and shared experiences of Baltimore Clayworks' community arts participants and partners.

About Baltimore Clayworks

Baltimore Clayworks was founded by nine artists in 1980. Our mission is to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding educational, residency, and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts. We offer classes and workshops for adults and children, host short and long-term residencies for emerging artists, present rotating exhibitions along with a retail shop featuring the work of local and internationally recognized ceramicists, and Baltimore Clayworks utilizes the universal medium of clay to engage under-resourced communities in and around Baltimore.

Learn more at: www.baltimoreclayworks.org