The University of Central Arkansas’s Baum Gallery will host an exhibition titled “Fired Up in the Natural State: Contemporary Ceramics” Thursday, Jan. 23 to Friday, Feb. 14, with an opening reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

The exhibition is co-curated by Brian Young, director of the Baum Gallery, and Liz Smith, associate professor and associate chair of the art department at UCA, according to a press release.

“‘Fired Up’’ is an exhibition meant to inspire our B.A. and B.F.A. students in the field of ceramics,” Young said. “By selecting the work of professionals and academics, I want students to see the full range of contemporary ceramics. In particular, our audiences will see a variety of forms and expressions, from the functional to the whimsical.” It will feature ceramics from some of the most prominent university faculty members in Arkansas, Young said, along with the work of professional artists.

Artists participating in the exhibition include: Liz Smith, University of Central Arkansas; Helen Phillips, formerly University of Central Arkansas; Anna Wagner, University of Central Arkansas, B.F.A, 2020; Benjamin Cirgin, formerly University of Arkansas, and now teaching at the Eastern Kentucky University; Jeannie Hulen, Linda Lopez and Mathew McConnell, all University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; Kensuke Yamada, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Aaron Calvert, Henderson State University; Dawn Holder, University of the Ozarks; Stephen Driver, co-owner of Little Mulberry Pottery; Joe Bruhin, independent artist; and Fletcher Larkin, owner of Fox Pass Pottery.

Baum Gallery is grateful for support from the UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication, the UCA Art Department and the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau, according to a press release.