Explorations Of Nature In Oil And Clay Art Exhibition Opens In Dublin

Explorations of Nature in Oil and Clay is a thoughtfully curated art exhibition featuring works by Megan Olson, Steven Olson, Kyle Jordan, Nick Werkmeister, and Leilani Nguyen. Inspired by landscapes, natural textures, and the quiet beauty of the natural world, the exhibition pairs evocative oil paintings with an accomplished and varied collection of ceramic works.

Megan Olson’s oil paintings anchor the exhibition with expressive interpretations of nature, while the ceramic pieces expand the dialogue through form, surface, and process. The ceramic artists employ a range of clay-making techniques, including wheel throwing, hand-building, and sculptural modeling, each approach revealing the artists’ individual relationships with material and movement. Surface treatments and glazing methods further enhance the work, highlighting organic textures, layered finishes, and nuanced color palettes that echo natural environments.

The exhibition was organized through a collaborative partnership between the Dublin Arts Collective and The Frame Company and Art Gallery, reinforcing a shared commitment to supporting and showcasing local artists.

At the opening reception, community members engaged in lively conversations about ceramic processes, including throwing techniques, hand-sculpting methods, and the technical considerations of different firing and glazing approaches. Discussions naturally expanded to include opportunities for learning pottery locally, as well as the complexities of creating safe and functional studio spaces that accommodate kilns, wheels, and ventilation requirements.

Clay artist Leilani Nguyen shared a particularly compelling narrative behind her whale-inspired ceramic work. Following a visit to a gray whale sanctuary—where the whales are known to approach and interact with humans —Nguyen experienced a profound sense of connection that continues to inform her artistic practice. That sense of intimacy and reverence is evident in her ceramic forms, which explore themes of life, movement, and interspecies connection. Her hope is that when someone eats or drinks from her pottery, they can remember the whales and do what they can to protect the ocean.

The exhibition also highlighted the growing support for ceramic arts within the community. The City of Dublin’s Art Center, scheduled to open later this year, will feature a dedicated ceramics yard offering classes to the community, further strengthening access to clay arts in the region.

As noted by guest Angela Season, Director of Branches at KeyPoint Credit Union, “The exhibition showcased amazing art and clay pieces. Thank you to the Dublin Arts Collective for continuing to promote art in our community.”