Kaabo means welcome in Yoruba.
Kaabo Clay is a virtual social network that connects Black ceramic artists and encourages in-person initiatives by and for our members. The collective exists to decrease experiences of racial isolation and to claim our heritage and influence as African descended people within the field of ceramics. Our Annual Award for Black Ceramicists has paid out over $20,000 to our constituents since 2021 to fund projects, activities and aid that directly benefits our community. Membership is open to anyone identifying as a Black ceramicist regardless of skill level or educational background.
Get involved by joining the forum.
Access is free and open to all Black-identifying ceramicists by joining the site. This is the place where we connect, exchange ideas, ask for advice and share opportunities. Keep up with the forum on your phone by downloading the Spaces mobile app.
2023 Kaabo Clay Awardees
Announcing the 3rd Annual Kaabo Award for Black Ceramicist recipients!
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Yinka Orafidiya was awarded $5,000 to secure Hambidge Center-Creative Arts for The Cookout 2024, an annual wood firing gathering for Black ceramicists.
Ban Workshop was awarded $2,000 toward the purchase of a new electric wheel. Ban Workshop is a collective of four Senegalese ceramicists with a deep passion for preserving the disappearing practice of ceramics in Senegal.
$3000 was granted to two collective members experiencing acute hardship who wish to remain anonymous. These recipients were selected based on their previous participation within our organization.
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Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Thanks to corporate donations from Amaco Brent and Speedball, we provided free passes for nine of our members to attend NCECA, the largest ceramics event in the world.
Kenya Moffett Garner, photo courtesy of Kenya Moffett Garner
Photo of Jabulile Nala, courtsey of Aba Hutchinson
Winnie Owens Hart & Kay Marin, photo courtesy of Kay Marin
Artist Talk: Ato Arinze & Djakou Kassi Nathalie
What is it like to be a contemporary clay artist in Nigeria? Join us for a virtual artist talk and discussion with Ato Arinze and Djakou Kassi Nathalie, both leaders of the Nigerian ceramicist collective Visions in Clay.
Ato Arinze is a sculptor, potter, art consultant, and artist manager. Born in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria on September 23rd, 1966, he obtained his Higher National Diploma certificate from the Yaba College of Technology in 1991. His works are basically centered on the premise of using art as a tool for recording history in visual form, hence his current preoccupation with sculpting portraits heads, busts, and statues of great personalities in Nigeria and around the world.
Djakou Kassi Nathalie (work pictured left) studied ceramics for three years at the 'Institut Samba Superieur' on a full scholarship. Her works have been featured in numerous exhibitions in Cameroon, Europe, and the United States. She was one of the winners of the Union Bank Art Competition for their 100th Year Anniversary in 2017. Her works are inspired by nature and man's volatile interaction with her environment.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
at 1pm Eastern / 6pm West African Time
Kaabo Clay is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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A better future is possible. Contact us to learn more about our mission and work, or to become involved yourself.