Ceramic Showcase Application 2026

Link to apply is at the bottom of this page

On Time Application Window: Thursday January 1st - Saturday January 31st (March 1st for Gallery Only)

Waitlist Registration: After January 31st

Set-up: Wednesday April 22nd & Thursday April 23rd

Showcase: Friday April 24th, Saturday April 25th, Sunday April 26th

Location:  Oregon Convention Center, Hall D

FAQ Introduction

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 2026 and acceptance into the show is points based.  Unlike our pop-up events, the time you apply does not matter as long as it is within the application window.

Your membership must be active at the time of registration and remain active until the end of the event on April 26th, 2026. If your membership expires after you apply, you need to renew it to participate in the Showcase.

Not a member yet? It's easy to join - Join OPA

Registration is open between January 1st, 2026, and January 31st, 2026. 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. 

Image Submission for Publicity

Submit photos of your ceramic work and process by January 31st. There are specific requirements for naming your files, so please read the instructions carefully. This link will be emailed with your registration confirmation as well. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos early!

Submit required publicity photos here

Gallery Only Participation

If you are a current OPA member, your acceptance into the Gallery is automatic. You will bring 3 pieces, with one on display and the other 2 as backups. You may sell the pieces or simply put them on display.

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 January 1st, 2026 to March 1st, 2026.

Booth Picking & The Points System

• The order for choosing booths depends on how many OPA member points you have. Please check your membership page on the website to confirm your point total, and email the Points Chair with any questions. 
•  If you're currently a Ceramic Showcase committee chair or trainee, you are guaranteed a spot at Ceramic Showcase. 
• You can earn points through your OPA membership, taking part in Ceramic Showcase or specific OPA events, and volunteering for different committees within OPA and Ceramic Showcase.
• Booth Picking Meeting is Friday February 27th at the Multnomah Arts Center. If you cannot attend, please contact the Building Chair. You may also ask a friend to choose for you. Otherwise, a booth will be assigned to you.

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 April 1st, the Ceramic Showcase Registrar will be in touch to see if you would still like to participate in the Gallery. 

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, and will be assigned a booth based on points. Studio Members of the partner booths are only charged the registration fee.
• There is no special registration for Studio Partners, other than to please indicate that you are registering as a studio and whether you will have participating Studio Members in your booth.
• Studio Members selling work in their studio booth will need to confirm with their studio manager, then register as normal. Please indicate which studio booth you will be joining. 
• Work shifts and committees will be assigned as needed. 

• 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 separately and pay their own $20 registration fee when applying. (Only members who have a joint OPA membership may apply under a single registration.) 
• 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 to Gallery Only.
• 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

Booth 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 on February 27th. 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. 

*Increased from last year

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, and so on.

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.  

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.  

Ready to Apply???