January @AMOCA
Happy New Year! Whether your aspirations for 2024 involve exploring more exhibitions, making new friends, being inspired, getting your hands dirty, trying something new, volunteering your time, or supporting the arts, we have something for you here at AMOCA!
We’re kicking off the month with First Fridays, on January 5. Thanks to generous support from AMOCA’s Board of Directors, Museum admission on the First Friday of each month at AMOCA is always pay what you can. Visit the Museum on Friday, January 5, and choose your own ticket prices!
Behind the scenes, we’re getting ready for two new exhibitions opening this month. In the Igal & Diane Silber Vault Gallery January 13–April 21, 2024, Jasmine Baetz will show Blood in the fire, sugar in the milk, an installation of ceramic components made with the help of Mara Halpern, Jasper Bown, em irvin, and Christian Vistan. Baetz is this year’s Lincoln Visiting Professor of Ceramics at Scripps College. Opening January 20 in Gallery B is Fahrenheit 2024, the revival of our juried exhibition. Juried by Kathy King, Director of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University, Fahrenheit 2024 features the talents of 100 artists contributing to the contemporary ceramic arts community. Join us for an opening reception on Saturday, January 20 to celebrate these new exhibitions and the talented artists behind them. Admission to the reception and Museum galleries is complimentary with advance registration; light refreshments will be served.
The new year brings new hands-on fun in the Studio, too! You can try something new and get your hands dirty at one of our one-hour introductory sessions on Friday, January 12. For a more immersive experience, try a six week class! Our winter session begins mid-January and offerings include Wheel Throwing, Hand Building, Glazing, Soda Firing, and more! Visit our Classes page for all the details.
Want to get more involved at AMOCA? The Docent Program is accepting new volunteers. We’ll train you to give educational exhibition tours to school children, clubs, or special interest groups. Docents make a world of a difference in meeting our mission, and get a sense of satisfaction from their important contributions. On Friday, January 26 you can join us at the museum for Do You Wanna Docent?, an information session that will offer insight into docenting and explore selected pieces in our current exhibitions.
AMOCA’s vibrant Artist in Residence program is now accepting applications for 2024-2025 residents. Established in 2012, AMOCA’s program provides artists support to produce or develop a new body of work; both long- and short-term residencies are available. Those wanting to learn more should tune into the AIR virtual Information Session on Monday, January 22, where you’ll get introduced to program staff and listen to current and previous artists in residence share their experiences. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the session. Artist in Residence applications will be accepted through January 31, 2024.
Thank you for being a partner in AMOCA’s mission to champion the ceramic arts! We look forward to welcoming you to the museum Friday through Sunday, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Museum tickets may be purchased at the door when you arrive.
See you soon,
Genevieve Kaplan
Associate Director of Communications & Stewardship
Upcoming Programs & Events
First Fridays
Friday, January 5, 2024 • 11:00 AM–4:00 PM • In Person
Thanks to generous support from AMOCA’s Board of Directors, Museum admission on the First Friday of each month at AMOCA is pay what you can. Visit the Museum on Friday, January 5, and choose your own ticket prices!
Introductory Clay Class
Friday, January 12, 2024 • 5:00–6:00 PM or 7:00–8:00 PM • In person • $50
The perfect way to get your hands dirty, relax, and have fun! In this one-hour introductory class, you’ll learn the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel.
Winter Classes at the Studio
Mid-January–Mid-February, 2024 • days & times vary • In Person
Our winter six-week session begins mid- January! In addition to multi-level classes in wheel throwing and hand building, this session brings brand-new courses in Soda Firing and Glazing.
Opening Reception
Saturday, January 20, 2024 • 4:00–6:00 PM • In person
Join us for the opening reception for the juried exhibition Fahrenheit 2024 and Jasmine Baetz’s vault installation Blood in the fire, sugar in the milk.
Artist in Residence Information Session
Monday, January 22, 2024 • 12:00–1:00 PM • Online
Join us for a conversation with AMOCA staff, alongside current/former resident artists, to learn more about the Artist in Residence program.
Do You Wanna Docent?
Friday, January 26, 2024 • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM • In-person
Ever wanted to docent but never knew where to start? Well, you’re in luck! Join us for a guided introduction into docenting at AMOCA.
Docent Training Program
Now accepting volunteer applications!
Our Docent Program is accepting new volunteers. We’ll train you to give educational exhibition tours to school children, clubs, or special interest groups. Docents make a world of a difference in meeting our mission, and get a sense of satisfaction from their important contributions.
Artist in Residence Applications
Open through January 31, 2024
AMOCA’s vibrant Artist in Residence program is now accepting applications for 2024-2025 residents. Established in 2012, AMOCA’s program provides artists an opportunity to produce or develop a new body of work; both long- and short-term residencies are available.
Museum Meet Cute
Saturday, February 10, 2024 • 1:00–3:00 PM • In Person • $20
Join us for a tour and discussion of our new exhibition Fahrenheit 2024. After the tour, we’ll head to Homage Brewing and talk about all things art! Your Meet Cute ticket includes the Fahrenheit tour at AMOCA and one drink at Homage (beer or coffee).
2022 Annual Report
Curious about what we’ve been up to? Read our 2022 Annual Report, just posted online, for insights and details about AMOCA’s progress and your vital support.
In Case You Missed It
2023 Year In Review
Thank you for valuing AMOCA’s mission to champion the art, history, creation, and technology of ceramics. Your support provides funds for teaching artists and supplies for our educational programs, underwrites our exhibitions and catalog expenses, and inspires us to craft a bigger and bolder future for AMOCA.
Exhibitions on View
Visit Friday–Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM.
REVEAL: Recent Acquisitions 2020-2023
On view in the Armstrong Gallery through July 21, 2024, REVEAL: Recent Acquisitions 2020-2023 showcases a remarkable variety of ceramics that AMOCA has recently acquired for its permanent collection from 45 donors. AMOCA’s permanent collection encompasses 13,000+ ceramic objects that date from pre-Columbian to contemporary times.
Blood in the fire, sugar in the milk
Since 2016, AMOCA has partnered with the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College to produce exhibitions of works by the guest curators of the Scripps College Ceramic Annual. Opening January 13 at the Igal and Diane Silber Vault Gallery at AMOCA, Jasmine Baetz will show Blood in the fire, sugar in the milk, an installation of ceramic components made with the help of Mara Halpern, Jasper Bown, em irvin, and Christian Vistan. On view through April 21, 2024.
Fahrenheit 2024
AMOCA is delighted to announce Fahrenheit 2024, the revival of our juried exhibition. Juried by Kathy King, Director of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University, Fahrenheit 2024 features the talents of 100 artists contributing to the contemporary ceramic arts community. This exhibition, on view in Gallery B January 20–September 8, 2024, provides an invaluable platform for showcasing a diverse range of work and fostering recognition within the ceramics community.
A Traveler’s Guide to Mettlach
A Traveler’s Guide to Mettlach: Villeroy and Boch showcases everyday life in the 1800s Mettlach, Germany. A Traveler’s Guide to Mettlach, on view in the Robert and Colette Wilson Gallery through June 2025, presents concepts of life, laughter, relationships, and the day-to-day existence of the German people.
Bring Some Culture to Your Inbox
399 N Garey Ave Pomona, CA 91767
909.865.3146 | info@amoca.org
The museum is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 11 AM–4 PM. Plan your visit by clicking here.
For information about Ceramics Studio hours and availability, please click here for the Ceramics Studio.