Ceramics are experiencing a surge in visibility across museums, galleries, and art fairs in major US cities. The article catalogs numerous recent and upcoming exhibitions, including Kathy Butterly's sold-out show at James Cohan with pieces at $45,000 each, Nicole Cherubini's nearly sold-out show at Friedman Benda with prices up to $65,000, and Ruby Neri's work at Salon 94 peaking at $75,000. Other highlights include Ron Nagle at Matthew Marks, Theaster Gates' Gagosian show celebrating David Drake, NADA Ceramics in Tribeca, and ceramic presentations at Frieze Los Angeles, Post-Fair, Expo Chicago, and David Zwirner. Institutional shows include Toshiko Takaezu at Princeton University Art Museum and a ceramic collection at RISD Museum.
This matters because it signals a potential shift in the art market's valuation of ceramics, a medium historically marginalized as craft rather than high art. The article documents robust sales at increasingly high price points—from $800 works by Alma Berrow to $190,000 pieces by Betty Woodman—suggesting collectors are beginning to invest seriously in ceramics. The proliferation of dedicated fair sections (NADA Ceramics), solo gallery shows, and museum exhibitions indicates that ceramics are gaining institutional and commercial legitimacy, though the market's full acceptance remains in question.