Feats of Clay in Lincoln

THE 24TH FEATS OF CLAY ART SHOW RUNS April 30-May 29 at Gladding-McBean, a 136-year-old maker of clay products. Its grounds include large, beehive-shaped kilns that house the artwork.

Feats of Clay has become one of the nation’s most competitive ceramic art shows, and it attracts thousands of visitors annually. The exhibit includes some 80 sculptures chosen from more than 1,500 entries from artists in North America.

“Reserve a tour, hop aboard an antique fire truck waiting at the plant gate and begin a journey back in time,” says Lincoln Arts & Cultural Foundation, a 25-year-old non-profit that supports the show. “The thrilling sounds and massive scale are awesome.”

The softly-lit contemporary art is exhibited inside a 35-foot diameter “beehive” kiln, one of 22 in the building. Besides viewing the winning sculptures, visitors will see an exhibit of molds and examples of architectural work done at the plant.

Though a major supplier of clay pipes, Gladding-McBean also helps restore damaged terra cotta artifacts. The distinguished-looking red roof tiles at Stanford University were a Gladding-McBean product, along with buildings and theaters all over the world.

The guided Feats of Clay tour requires reservations, which are made by calling Lincoln Arts at 916-645-9713. Admission is $12. Tours start every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.