
Introduction
Since 2014, AMOCA has hosted an annual juried exhibition showcasing the remarkable talents of high school students studying the ceramic arts. Starting in 2020, the exhibition has been virtual. Over 550 applications were submitted for the 2024 exhibition, and 101 were selected by Museum staff through a collective jury process.
To learn more about the program and view past exhibitions, visit the link below.
Teen Council
With support from the Ruth and Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts, AMOCA hosts an internship and professional development group for high school students. Students receive access to exclusive museum areas and events, develop their college resume, meet professional artists, and receive complimentary access to the AMOCA Ceramics Studio. Council membership is free thanks to grant funding.
To learn more and apply to join the program, visit the link below.
Exhibition Acknowledgments
This program generously funded provided, in part, through grants from Ruth and Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts and the DEW Foundation.
Exhibition Awards Ceremony
On Saturday May 4, 2024 at 10am, AMOCA premiered a pre-recorded awards ceremony that included a presentation of the entire virtual exhibition.
Exhibition Award Winners
9th & 10th Grade
Honorable Mention: Wyatt Stebbins

Wyatt Stebbins, Movement in the Clay, Wheel thrown stoneware set with wild clay brushed on. Soda ash water sprayed on and fired to cone 5/6 oxidation. 9″ x 7″ x 7″; 4.5″ x 5″ x 5″; 4.5″ x 3.5″ x 3.5.” RJ Reynolds High School
Honorable Mention: Zyanne Valencia

Zyanne Valencia, Let’s Graze Charcuterie, Stoneware with Acrylic Cold Finish, 1” x 14” x 7.” Vista Murrieta High School
Honorable Mention: Annie Zhao

Annie Zhao, broom, Slab built, 6” x 9” x 1.5.” Idyllwild Arts Academy
Best of Show: Ollie Macpherson

Ollie Macpherson, Crocmool, Ceramic, 6” x 6” x 14.” El Toro High School
11th Grade
Honorable Mention: Kaliyah Chronister

Kaliyah Chronister, Blooming Bunny, Wall hanging & mixed media; mid fire clay; ceramic and acrylic paint, 13” x 5” x 3.” Liberty High School
Honorable Mention: Madison Heard

Madison Heard, Plenty of Fish in the Sea, Ceramic and glazes, 12” x 8” x 8.” Seabreeze High School
Honorable Mention: Cyan Yee

Cyan Yee, Shattered Suspension, Ceramics and Glaze, Slab Box, 8” x 8” x 4.5.” Carlmont High School
Best of Show: Jesse Gibson

Jesse Gibson, 6 months, 3 months, 18 months: 27 months lost, Ceramic, threads, vials, 11” x 11” x 4.” Liberty High School
12th Grade
Honorable Mention: Brandon Bodmer

Brandon Bodmer, Shelf Samurai, Ceramic, 12” x 12” x 10.” Maple Mountain High
Honorable Mention: Miriam Wheeler

Miriam Wheeler, Murphy’s Monster, Low fire clay, glaze, underglaze. Plate wheel thrown, painted with underglaze at greenware stage, bisqued to 04, glaze fired to 06, 10″ x 1″ x 1.” McKinleyville High School
Honorable Mention: Nia Zenger

Nia Zenger, surrender, Ceramic, acrylic paint, 4” x 13” x 4.” Liberty High School
Best of Show: Luxi Bassoco

Luxi Bassoco, Crystalline Serpent, Ceramic and CMW Cone 6 Crystalline glaze, 21” x 14.” Ramona High School
Honorary Awardee: Reid Gorecki

Reid Gorecki, Carrying the crew, Ceramic, glaze, 7” x 7″ x 10.5.” California School of the Arts
On May 11, 2023 Reid Gorecki tragically passed away just 3 weeks shy of graduating high school. He was a kid passionate about the power of ART in Youth Mental Health and he wanted his work out there. Since his passing I have been on that journey for him. This punky pachyderm is one from a series of pieces Reid made that were carrying other creatures on their backs.This piece holds the greatest clue to his thinking behind the work. He identified himself and most of his friends as animals of some kind in his drawings and art: bears, cats, adorable pigs, dogs, a monkey ,etc., and in this case I think he was the punk elephant, carrying his friends. He loved to gather and lift a group along with him. You can learn more about Reid and the youth mental health mission his work and I are on via his website reidgore.com or on instagram @whereisreid. – Alicia Gorecki
Exhibition Works
Works are listed in alphabetical order by last name of the artist. Photos of works are submitted by participants. Click or tap on a photo to see a larger image.
9th & 10th Grade
Ivy Bianchi


Ivy Bianchi, Desert Sunset Bowl, Ceramic with handmade stencil, 3.5” x 5” x 5.” Laguna Beach High School, 10th Grade
Karis Dolman


Karis Dolman, The Gambler, Ceramic, cone 6, acrylics, 3” x 3” x 3.” Rim of the World High School, 9th Grade
Nicole Dong


Nicole Dong, Don’t Forget Me, Ceramic, coil built, 4” x 8” x 7.” Idyllwild Arts Academy, 9th Grade
Dyllynn Egana


Dyllynn Egana, Esmerelda The Garden Snake, Ceramic and Underglaze, cone 05, 2.5” x 8.5″ x 4.5.” Cheyenne High School, 10th Grade
Quinn Evans-Agard


Quinn Evans-Agard, Teapot, Ceramic, Wheel-thrown, Glaze, cone 6, 4” x 8″ x 7.5.” The Archer School for Girls, 10th Grade
Andre Ferriera


Andre Ferreira, Family on a Shell, Ceramic, 7” x 10″ x 6.” Lake Washington High School, 10th Grade
Taylor FitzHenry


Taylor FitzHenry, Jellyfish, Ceramic, 9” x 5” x 5.” Liberty High School, 10th Grade
John (Jack) Gomez

Jack Gomez, Memories of Guam, Ceramic, glaze, cone 5, 9” x 5” and 6″ x 4.” Pasadena Polytechnic School, 10th Grade
Sylvie Haacker


Sylvie Haacker, Watchful Flowers, Hand built ceramic, Decal paper, underglaze, luster, cone 6 clear, 7.5” x 5” x 2.5.” Archer School for Girls, 10th Grade
Noa Kim


Noa Kim, Foot, Hand built ceramic, 5” x 10” x 4.5.” Idyllwild Arts Academy, 10th Grade
Evelynne Lopez


Evelynne Lopez, cherry birthday cake, Ceramic, 3” x 4” x 2.5.” East High School, 10th Grade
Ollie Macpherson


Ollie Macpherson, Crocmool, Ceramic, 6” x 6” x 14.” El Toro High School, 9th Grade
Francisco Mena Padilla


Francisco Mena Padilla, Faces of Art, Ceramic, 11.5” x 9.5” x 6.” The John Cooper School, 10th Grade
Carley Ocampo


Carley Ocampo, Misery, Ceramic, 14” x 3” x 4.” Liberty High School, 10th Grade
Mary Peterson


Mary Peterson, Circular Evergreen Planting Pot, Ceramic, 8” x 8” x 8.” Liberty High School, 10th Grade
Samantha Whitaker


Samantha Whitaker, The Cycle of a Seed, Porcelain, Cone 6, Glaze, Hands: 12” x 12” x 2”, Tree: 8” x 4” x 4”, Hand with Apple: 6” x 6” x 6.” Thaden School, 10th Grade
Kavya Singh


Kavya Singh, Abditory, Ceramic and Glaze, Cone 5, 4” x 15.5” x 5.5.” Dublin High School, 10th Grade
Wyatt Stebbins


Wyatt Stebbins, Movement in the Clay, Wheel thrown stoneware, brushed wild clay, Soda ash, cone 5/6 oxidation, 9” x 7” x 7”, 4.5” x 5” x 5”, 4.5” x 3.5” x 5.” RJ Reynolds High School, 10th Grade
Zyanne Valencia

Zyanne Valencia, Let’s Graze Charcuterie , Stoneware with Acrylic Cold Finish, 1” x 14” x 7.” Vista Murrieta High School, 10th Grade
Axel Weeks


Axel Weeks, Thought Itself , Clay and stain, 10” x 7” x 4.5.” Liberty High School, 10th Grade
Yuehan Yang


Yuehan Yang, The Iron Road Pioneer , Ceramic, 12” x 7” x 12.” RJ Reynolds High School, 9th Grade
Annie Zhao


Annie Zhao, broom , Ceramic, 6” x 9” x 1.5.” Idyllwild Arts Academy, 9th Grade
11th Grade
Katie Aitken


Katie Aitken, Dragon Face Mug, Stoneware, Glaze, 6” x 4” x 3.5.” RJ Reynolds High School
Brandon Bodmer


Brandon Bodmer, Shelf Samurai, Ceramic, 12” x 12” x 10.” Maple Mountain High School
Anto Bogo


Anto Bogo, Kitty Jar, Ceramic, underglaze, 4” x 3” x 3.” School of Arts and Enterprise
Emery Brandt

Emery Brandt, Beast of the Void, Polymer clay with wire armature, 8” x 4” x 2.” Thaden School
Alexis Chang

Alexis Chang, Blue Bounty, Ceramic, underglaze, glaze, cone 5, 1” x 6.5” x 6.5.” Arcadia High School
Alexa Childs


Alexa Childs, Deep Sea Dive, Ceramic, glaze, 4” x 11” x 4.5.” Western Christian High School
Kaliyah Chronister


Kaliyah Chronister, Blooming Bunny, Ceramic, acrylic, mixed media, 13” x 5” x 3.” Liberty High School
Leela Cohen

Leela Cohen, Harmony of Differences, Hand built coil vessel, 8” x 15” x 8.5.” Holton-Arms School
Ryan Falconi


Ryan Falconi, Urban Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cone 6 white stoneware and underglazes, 8” x 4” x 2.” Princeton Day School
Audrey Finigan


Audrey Finigan, Coral reef swimming pool, Ceramic and Underglaze, 6” x 7.5” x 5.5”, Glendora High School
Jesse Gibson


Jesse Gibson, 6 months, 3 months, 18 months: 27 months lost, Ceramic, thread, vials, 11” x 11” x 4.” Liberty High School
Miles Gumbs


Miles Gumbs, Teapot with Open Volume Spout and Handle, Brown stoneware, studio glazes, 7.25” x 7.25” x 6.75.” The Dalton School
Madison Heard


Madison Heard, Plenty of Fish in the Sea, Ceramic, glaze, 12” x 8” x 8.” Seabreeze High School
Angie Houck


Angie Houck, Retro TV Teapot, Ceramic and Glazes, 7” x 7” x 5.” Rim of the World High School
Elise Kim


Elise Kim, Spring Meadow,, Ceramic, 7.5” x 4.5” x 1.5.” The Archer School for Girls
Tien Le


Tien Le, Holiday Teapot, Ceramic, 6” x 11” x 6.” Fremont High School
Lily Knott


Lily Knott, Outside View, Seamix 6, hand-built; snow, radiant red, and jet black glazes, 8” x 10” x 6.5.” Lake Washington High School
Kelsey Lin

Kelsey Lin, Blue, Hand built B Mix clay, 15” x 8” x 2.” Flintridge Preparatory School
Alexandra Liu


Alexandra Liu, Breaking, Ceramic and underglaze, bisque and glaze fired at cone 5, 13” x 7” x 6.” Harvard-Westlake School
Olive Martin


Olive Martin, Leap of Luck, Ceramic, glaze, crushed glass, 6” x 8” x 4.” Huntington Beach High School
Noah Matsunaga


Noah Matsunaga, Assimilation, Porcelain, underglaze, raw-fired to cone 10, 10.5” x 5.25” x 2.4.” Chadwick School
Delaney McCallum


Delaney McCallum, Labor of Love, Ceramic Bisqueware, 11” x 8.5” x 7.” Also pictured: hand-sewn fabric bear (l), paper mache bear (r). Valor Christian High School
Vy Nguyen


Vy Nguyen, Piece, Pie, and Love, Ceramic, 7” x 7.5” x 7.5.” Wichita East High School
Ananya Nukala


Ananya Nukala, Deforestation Teapot, Ceramic, Underglaze and Glaze, cone 6, 8” x 7” x 5.25.” Castilleja School
Seamus Pindt


Seamus Pindt, Big Birthuhhh, Ceramic, glaze, 4” x 18” x 4.” Ontario High School
Rodolfo Ramirez


Rodolfo Ramirez, Mirror Vase, Ceramic, glaze, 7” x 4” x 2.” Mountain Range High School
Mitsuki Rosas


Mitsuki Rosas, Breath, Ceramic, 11.5” x 6” x 4.” La Salle High School
Noelenni Rubio


Noelenni Rubio, Roses and Fish Scales, Ceramic and glaze, 14” x 8” x 8.” Mountain Range High Schooll
Odessa Scott

Odessa Scott, Rhino Hybrid, Ceramic and mixed media, 5” x 6” x 11.” El Toro High School
Day Side


Day Side, Cookie’s Jar, Ceramic, acrylic, and glaze; Illustrations by Mishima, 7” x 5.5” x 5.5.” Idyllwild Arts Academy
Audrey Siples


Audrey Siples, Raku Body with Roses, Ceramic and Glaze: Cone 06; Reduction with newspaper and sawdust, 5” x 3” x 2.” Rim of the World High School
Mina Son


Mina Son, Jung, Ceramic, Acrylic Paint, Bricks, Wax, 35” x 23” x 20.” Idyllwild Arts Academy
Josslyn Toland

Josslyn Toland, Cyborg Hyena, Ceramic, mixed media, 5.5” x 5” x 12.” El Toro High School
Adzo Wilson


Adzo Wilson, Enchanted Forest Portal, Ceramic, underglaze, 18” x 8” x 8.” El Toro High School
Anthony Wilson


Anthony Wilson, Lettuce Prey: Carnivorous Vegetable, Ceramic, glaze, cone 6, 6.5” x 8” x 9.” Wichita East High School
Cyan Yee


Cyan Yee, Shattered Suspension, Ceramic, glaze, 8” x 8” x 4.5.” Carlmont High School
Yina Yoon


Yina Yoon, Butterfly Hand, Ceramic, underglaze, acrylic; folded rice paper butterfly, 10” x 3” x 3.” Dublin High School
12th Grade
Zachary Avinoam


Zachary Avinoam, Band of Porcelain Organs, Ceramic, 10″ x 10″ x 10.” Newton South High School
Luxi Bassoco


Luxi Bassoco, Crystalline Serpent, Ceramic and CMW Cone 6 crystalline glaze, 21” x 14” x 14.” Ramona High School
Sophia Bucci


Sophia Bucci, Hand Rose, Sculpted Stoneware with Wood Stain and Acrylic Paint, 14” x 7” x 5,” Chenango Valley High School
Reanna Cervantes


Reanna Cervantes, Piece of Cake!, White stoneware, low fire glazes. 4.5” x 6” x 6.” La Sierra High School
Mackenzie Cerwin


Mackenzie Cerwin, Turtle Splash, Ceramic, Glaze, and Oxide; Cone 10 and 06, 6” x 11” x 12.” La Sierra High School
Maylin Chen


Maylin Chen, Castle, Paper Clay, Underglaze, Clear plastic film, Marker, cone 6, 24” x 12” x 36.” Flintridge Preparatory School
Aylin Cielo


Aylin Cielo, Rotten to the Core, Ceramic, 2.5” x 15” x 6.” La Sierra High School
Jocelyn Contreras

Jocelyn Contreras, Bedded Teapot, Ceramic, 5” x 10” x 11.” John W. North High School
Sam Corey


Sam Corey, Untitled Instrument 1, Ceramic, 3” x 4” x 4.” Liberty High School
Jacob Coté
Jacob Coté, Workers in the Walls, Polymer clay, stop motion, mixed media, 13” x 12” x 8.5.” Bonita High School
Marley Cross


Marley Cross, Maple Leaf, Ceramic, wheel thrown, sgraffito, black matte glaze, 11” x 7.5” x 7.5.” Northridge High School
Lucy Gao


Lucy Gao, Once Someone’s Treasure, Ceramic, underglaze, glaze, cone 5, 6” x 3.5” x 2.” Arcadia High School
Olivia Gates


Olivia Gates, My Kitty, Ceramic, Acrylic paint, 6” x 3.5” x 6.5.” Liberty High School
Clarissa Gil

Clarissa Gil, Viña Gil, Ceramic, underglaze, 11” x 3” x 3.” Arcadia High School
Medini Halepete


Medini Halepete, Star(ved)fish, Ceramic, recycled plastic, fencing, 44” x 53” x 1,5.” The Harker School
Ashley Hernandez


Ashley Hernandez, Colossus of a Goddess, Cone 5 Clay Body,Acrylic Paint cold finish, Coil construction, Hand modeled and carved surfaces, 25” x 7” x 7.” Arroyo Valley High School
Violet Hungate

Violet Hungate, Big Hub, Ceramic, Glazes, and Acrylic Paints, 16” x 12” x 12.” Belleville East High School
Arjun Karur-Parekh


Riya Koh, My Hands, Ceramic, Glaze, 16 gauge wire, 8” x 4″ x 3.” Dublin High School
Sophia Lent


Sophia Lent, Clover the Calf, Ceramic with acrylic paint cold glaze, 10” x 6” x 11.5.” Herbert Hoover High School
Eleanor Lewis


Eleanor Lewis, Fracturing the Face, Brown stoneware, cone 6, underglaze and glaze, 3.5” x 7.5” x 7.5.” Arlington High School
Josephine Madden


Josephine Madden, Artist’s Plight, Ceramic, Air dry clay, Watercolor, 7” x 5” x 5.” Fremont High School
Rodrigo Marquez Alonso


Rodrigo Marquez Alonso, Untitled, Ceramic and Glaze, 12” x 4” x 5.” Liberty High School
Olivia Marriner


Olivia Marriner, Sushi and Nigiri, Ceramic, slab and pinch, low-fire glazes, 2” x 4” x 2,” Laguna Beach High School
Ramona Martin


Ramona Martin, Tied Up, Ceramic, Stain, Fishing line, 16” x 9″ x 8.” Liberty High School
Cindy Obregon-Solis


Cindy Obregon-Solis, Metamorphosis, Ceramic, Glaze, Underglaze, 5.75” x 7.625” x 3.25.” Inspired by Frédéric Martin “La Révélation”, oil on linen painting. Ontario High School
Jordy Olivero


Jordy Olivero, Eternal Solstice, Ceramic and Glaze, 10” x 16” x 6.5.” John W. North High School
Ethan Parcells


Ethan Parcells, Krackened, Ceramic with Oxide and Glazes, 8” x 12” x 6.” Rim of the World High School
Grace Pavelski


Grace Pavelski, Deer Bust, Sculpted Terracotta with Wood Stain and Deer Antlers, 21” x 20” x 13.” Chenango Valley High School
Sarina Pretter


Sarina Pretter, The Crescent Tree, Ceramic, Glaze, Paper, Wire, Watercolor, 15” x 12” x 9.” The Ellis School
Raz De-Via Rosenthal


Raz De-Via Rosenthal, Unwanted Dream, Ceramic and Glazes, 13” x 5” x 7.” Seabreeze High School
Annabelle Reddy


Annabelle Reddy, Missing Piece, Ceramic, Cone 6, Underglaze, Clear Glaze, 7” x 8” x 2.5.” Idyllwild Arts Academy
Vanessa Salazar


Vanessa Salazar, Alebrije, Ceramic, Glaze, and Red Iron Oxide, 14” x 7” x 10.” Ramona High School
Alice Salgado de Almeida Leme


Alice Salgado de Almeida Leme, Animal Sgraffito, Ceramic, 1” x 6” x .5.” Carlmont High School
Alexandria Shugard


Alexandria Shugard, Abandoned Jack in the Box, Ceramic; Cone 06; Slab and Pinch built; Painted with Acrylics, 9” x 10” x 7.” Rim of the World High School
Sophia Straub


Sophia Straub, Lock Down, Low fire glaze, slab built, 38” x13″ x 9.5” Huntington Beach High School
Sophia Sukup


Sophia Sukup, Fangs Incense, Stoneware, glaze, acrylic paint, 7” x 8” x 8.” Trinity Preparatory School
Kentaro Suzuki


Kentaro Suzuki, Conversation of Contrast No. 1, Stoneware, glaze, oxidation fired to cone 6, 14.5” x 9” x 9.” Tabor Academy
Sophia Taylor


Sophia Taylor, Sand Dollar Platter, Ceramic and slip, 9” x 9” x 1.5.” Trinity Preparatory School
Ella von Thaden

Ella von Thaden, Enlightenment, Ceramic, underglaze, glaze, lampshade, lamp wiring kit, lightbulb, cone 6, 18” x 8.5” x 8.5.” Flintridge Preparatory School
Miriam Wheeler


Miriam Wheeler, Murphy’s Monster, Low fire clay, glaze, underglaze. Plate wheel thrown, painted with underglaze at greenware stage, bisqued to 04, glaze fired to 06, 10” x 10” x 1.” McKinleyville High School
Nia Zenger


Nia Zenger, surrender, Ceramic, Acrylic, 4” x 13” x 4.” Liberty High School
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