Different and uncomfortable, beautiful and compelling, Stories Without Borders: Personal Narratives in Clay, the 74th Scripps College Ceramic Annual exhibition, makes room for a wide variety of perspectives expressed in clay. It celebrates artists from many backgrounds whose work addresses their social and cultural experiences. More on the artists will be shared at a special lecture at the Scripps Humanities Auditorium on Sat., Jan. 20, from 4 to 5 pm, followed by the opening reception, with live music and light refreshments, from 7 to 9 pm at the Williamson Gallery. The events are free and open to the public. The Annual runs through Apr. 8, 2018.

Patsy Cox, professor of Visual Art, California State University, Northridge, is the show’s guest curator. She had a particular interest in featuring multiple perspectives in this Annual. “As an artist and educator from a multicultural background,” she explained, “I am personally interested in exploring the manner in which cultures affect, impact, and assimilate into one’s art. For this Ceramic Annual, I have selected artists who make work that speaks directly about their identity, roots, home and sense of belonging as well. These sentiments are expressed visually and physically in their work through the artists’ use of color, form, and content.”

The Scripps College Ceramic Annual is the longest continuous exhibition of contemporary ceramics in the United States. The gallery is open from 12 to 5 pm, Wed. through Sun. during exhibitions. Admission is free.