Upcoming Exhibitions

Creative Connections and PAUSD Youth Art-- Belonging: Centering Voice and Story

May 2-24, 2026

Ceramic Flowers from Costaño School of the Arts, Kinders (left to right): Jazlyn, Jennifer, Alexander, Britani, and Veronica

Creative Connections is the culminating exhibition of the Palo Alto Art Center’s artist-in-the-schools program, which brings multidisciplinary, arts-integrated lessons to K-5 students in Ravenswood City School District and East Palo Alto Charter School. Youth Art celebrates the imaginative and evolving spirit of PAUSD’s K-12 art students. Instructors feature work that demonstrates accomplishment and innovation in the classroom in a variety of ways.

Zara D., Untitled, Mixed Media, including personal photos, collage and yarn, 12th Grade, Palo Alto High School

Thrown, Stamped, Stacked, and Poured: Ceramic Installation and Performance

Summer 2026

This exhibition showcases contemporary approaches to ceramic art through performance and installation in clay by a selection of artists from the region and country. Artists’ exploration of installation has grown in recent years, but one could argue that unfired clay was used in “installation” and “performance art” as early as the Ice Age. Many contemporary clay installation and performance works employ traditional ceramic techniques, including hand building, slabs, extrusions, molds, and wheel-throwing—in innovative ways for novel and compelling results. Artists included in the exhibition leverage the uniquely malleable and expressive potential of clay to create works that address identity, history, and environment. This exhibition is guest curated by ceramic artist and educator John Toki.

These exhibitions are presented in conjunction with Handwork. Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 is a national Semiquincentennial collaboration showcasing the importance of the handmade and celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.