Since Northern Clay Center opened 19 years ago, everyone involved with the Center has worked with passion and commitment toward achieving our mission to advance the ceramic arts, through exhibitions, classes and workshops for all ages, and services to artists. The scale and scope of our exhibitions is unique in the ceramics world: in 2009 we continued to showcase national and international ceramics through "Contemporary Monsters" (surrealism in clay) and the "2008/2009 Regis Masters Exhibition". We were equally proud to honor our regional community of ceramic artists. The annual Jerome and McKnight exhibitions included work created during fellowships and residencies in Minnesota; "Artists of NCC" presented our biennial look at pots and sculpture by ceramic artists who create and teach at NCC. Our studio program and other services to artists address ceramic artists’ needs for workspace, equipment, and financial support.

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the University of Minnesota, and Walker Art Center, along with over 100 local schools and community groups, we have produced a roster of education programs unequaled in the clay world. These programs extend our local, national (and international) presence with lectures and residencies by prominent and thoughtful ceramists, including 2009 Regis Master Patti Warashina (professor emeritus at the University of Washington). Our outreach programs have extended further and deeper into schools and community organizations, with the addition this year of programs designed for people over 55, especially those who are place-bound. This year, we expect to reach over 5,000 children and adults with ClayToGo and the ClayMobile, and another 3,500 in on-site classes, workshops and special programs. It is through generous contributions from our donors, members, and artists that have allowed us to come this far. We thank everyone for their wonderful support.