We are proud to support and co-host Feats of Clay, a long-standing regional ceramics competition that reflects our commitment to engaging students through the arts while fostering interdisciplinary learning, community collaboration, and personal growth.

Founded in 1987, Feats of Clay is held annually at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse and brings together more than 40 high schools from across Central and Northern New York. This dynamic event is more than a competition—it is a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and the transformative power of the arts.

Engagement and integration strategies include: 

• Hands-On, Process-Based Learning
  Students participate in timed ceramic challenges that emphasize process over product. Activities—such as throwing pottery wheel pieces without hands or racing to create as many mugs as possible—encourage innovation, adaptability, and problem-solving.
   
• Teamwork and Collaboration
  School-based teams work together, building communication, leadership, and cooperation skills. The high-pressure, collaborative nature of the event mirrors real-world creative industries and highlights the value of teamwork.
   
• Community and Museum Partnerships
  Supported by the Everson Museum of Art, Clayscapes Pottery, the Independent Potters Association, and other local organizations, the event connects students with professional artists, authentic museum spaces, and real-world exhibition opportunities. Each year, Feats of Clay engages more than 1,000 participants in this regional celebration.
   
• Public Exhibition and Recognition
  Select student works are curated into a month-long exhibition at the Everson Museum, offering students the chance to share their art with the broader community while gaining experience in professional presentation and curation.
   
• Legacy and Celebration
  Each year’s winning team contributes to an intricately designed ceramic trophy, symbolizing the evolving legacy of creativity and collaboration carried forward by new generations of student artists.

Through Feats of Clay, CiTi BOCES Arts-in-Education nurtures artistic talent while demonstrating how the arts connect disciplines, schools, and communities. By engaging students in meaningful, hands-on artistic experiences, we help them develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity needed to thrive both in the arts and in life.

May 1, 2026