Ceramic Showcase Application 2025

Application Window: Sunday December 15th - Friday January 31st (April 5th for Gallery Only)

Set-up: Wednesday April 23rd & Thursday 24th

Show: Friday April 25th - Sunday April 27th   

Location:  Oregon Convention Center, Hall D

Ceramic Showcase started in 1983 and has grown to one of the largest pottery shows in the country. We welcome you to join us and bring your best work to Showcase. This incredible event draws pottery enthusiasts and collectors from all over the Pacific Northwest. Our unique central sales system creates opportunities for potters to get out of their booths and form community with other artists. If you are a new participant or a veteran, please take the time to read the entire application as there are many changes this year.

Eligibility and Registration

Showcase registration is open to all current members of the Oregon Potters Association in 2024. Your membership must be active at the time of registration and remain active until the end of the event in 2025. If your membership expires after you apply, you need to renew it to participate in the Showcase.

Not a member yet? Its easy to join - Join OPA

Registration is open between December 15, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Each booth participant pays a $20 non-refundable registration fee. Registrations after January 31st until March 1st are added to the end of the waitlist, no matter how many points you have. 

Showcase acceptance status is emailed in late February. Please be aware that booth types are limited and your original booth size preference may not be available at booth picking.

Gallery Only Participation

If you are a current OPA member, your acceptance into the Gallery is automatic.

There is no registration fee for showing in the Gallery only. You must be an OPA member to participate in the Gallery.

Gallery Only registration is from December 15th to April 5th.

Booth Picking & The Points System

Waitlist

• If there are more people applying for booths than there are booths available, members with the fewest points will be put on a waitlist. Most people on the waitlist eventually get into the show, so don't be discouraged!
• If you don’t receive a booth by Showcase, you'll get your registration fee refunded, and you can still participate in the Gallery. 
• Waitlist artists without a booth are refunded their registration fee unless they drop out after accepting an available booth.

Group Booth

• The Group Booth provides shelving and pedestals and is a good option if you don’t have your own booth furnishings.
• Group booth has 16 slots. Slots are assigned based on points.
• In addition to committee work and workshifts, group booth participants are required to work group booth sitting shifts to greet customers, answer questions, and restock.

Emerging Artist

• The Emerging Artist Booth provides shelving and pedestals and is reserved for first-time booth participants at Ceramic Showcase. (You can still apply if you were in the gallery previously.)
• There are 9 emerging artists spaces.
• Acceptance into the Emerging Artist booth is decided by the Emerging Artist Chair based on application and interview.

Studio Partners

OPA studio partners are charged the same rate for booth fees as individual members. There is no special registration for Studio Partners - use regular registration. 

Booth Sharing

• All booths, except the Group Booth and Emerging Artist, can be shared.
• A primary booth holder pays the booth fee. The shared costs among booth sharers must be arranged by themselves; OPA does not split fees.
• Each participant must apply and pay their own $20 registration fee when applying.
• Please specify the member(s) you want to share the booth with in the application.
•  If you want to share a booth but don't have a partner yet, please check that box on the application. We can help you find a booth sharing partner.  

Refunds/Dropping Out

If you need to withdraw from the event or change your participation status, please get in touch with the Ceramic Showcase Registrar . Make sure to provide the following information:

• Specify if you're completely dropping out or changing your status.
• Indicate if you will still fulfill your committee and work shifts responsibilities.
• Explain the reason for your decision to drop out.

Registration fees are non-refundable. Booth fees are only refundable if we are able to fill your booth space with someone on the waitlist. 

Important Dates

December 15th, 2024	Registration opens
January 31st, 2025	Booth registration closes
Applying Jan 31st - March 1st	Registration accepted w/ placement at the bottom of the wait list as if you have no points.
Late February	Show Acceptance Status Notifications emailed to applicants.
Early March	Booth Picking Meeting - Entire Booth Fee Due
April 5th	Gallery Only registration closes
April 23rd & 24th	Show Set Up and Committee work for Booth Participants
April 25th - 27th	Showcase 2025!

Costs

Participants pay a non-refundable registration fee, flat booth fee AND commission on all work sold. Individual booths pay a graduated commission rate. 

Booth fees are based on size and type of booth. All booths include pipe, black drape and electric power. 

The entire booth fee is due at time of booth picking in early March. Failure to pay booth fees means you cannot participate in Showcase. Please communicate with the Showcase Chair if you will have undue hardship paying the full fee at booth picking. 

Booth Types	Due at registration (Non Refundable)	Due Early March  at Booth Picking
Gallery Only	$0	$0
Group Booth	$20	$150
Emerging Artist	$20	$200
5' x 10'	$20	$275
5' x 10' Corner	$20	$300
10' x 10'	$20	$450
10' x 10' Corner	$20	$500
5' x 15' End-Cap	$20	$500

Commissions

All sales must go through the centralized sales system. Participants are not allowed to sell any work directly to customers. In addition to booth fees, all participants pay a commission to Ceramic Showcase on all sales.

Commission rates are based on the amount you sell and what kind of booth you are in. The commission rate decreases incrementally based on the total sales. The first $2000 of sales is charged a 17% commission. The next $1000 is charged a 14% commission.

For example, you sell $3500 worth of pottery, the commission is $340 (17% of $2000) plus $140 (14% of $1000) plus $60 (12% of $500). The total commission would be $540 in addition to your booth fee.  

Booth Type	Commission
Individual Booth	17% on first $2000 14% on $2001 - $3000 12% on $3,001 - $4,000 10% on $4,001 - $5,500 5% on any amount over $5501
Group Booth	20% on all sales
Emerging Artist	20% on all sales
Gallery Only and College	30% on all sales

Work Shifts and Committee Work

Ceramic Showcase is run by volunteers and by the members participating in the show.  Participants are required to do work shifts at the show AND committee work that occurs prior to, during, or after the show.  

Committee Work will be done before, during, and/or after the show depending on the task.  All booth participants will be given a committee assignment.  Gallery Only and Emerging Artist participants are not required to do committee work but may volunteer to do a committee job and earn an extra point. 

Work Shifts are a variety of jobs done during the show. Shifts range from 2.5 to 3 hours each.  Booth participants are required to do a maximum of 3 work shifts.  Gallery Only and Emerging Artist participants are required to do a maximum of 2 work shifts.  

Penalties 

For not completing committee or work shift assignments, penalties may include but are not limited to additional 5% commission per work shift missed, loss of points, and/or loss of eligibility to participate in Ceramic Showcase at the discretion of the Showcase Steering Committee.