Opening Reception: Saturday, July 12, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Bringing abstract concepts into sculptural forms, Conscientious Objectification invites viewers to engage with the intersections of religion, identity, and social critique. Drawing inspiration from Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, Islamic architecture, and personal narrative, Rohrer tells the story of reclaiming and redefining their relationship to Mennonite culture through ceramic art.
Mennonites have a long history with conscientious objection due to their strong beliefs in pacifism and nonviolence. Prior to the end of the US Military Selective Service Act in 1973, Mennonites and other Anabaptists participated in civilian public service, anti-war protests, civil disobedience, or at times were imprisoned rather than participate in US wars. Conscientious Objectification invites viewers to consider: What does it mean to be a conscientious objector in contemporary American society? How can we exercise resistance — not just in matters of war, but in systems of oppression and conformity? What could it look like to be a modern Mennonite?
Kristyn Rohrer (they/she) is a ceramic sculptor based in Baltimore, Maryland and the 2024-2025 Lormina Salter Fellow and Long Term Resident at Baltimore Clayworks. Born in Manheim, Pennsylvania, Rohrer received a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Ceramics and German from Kutztown University (2018) and completed a Ceramic Arts post-baccalaureate at West Virginia University (2022). With a research background in global inequality, Rohrer spent five years working in international development – supporting social impact programming across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Rohrer has been a resident artist at the Nampara Arts Cooperative (Morgantown, WV), ANG Pottery (Baltimore, MD), Kutztown University (Kutztown, PA), and an intern at The Clay Studio (Philadelphia, PA).
Inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch folk art and Islamic architecture, my ceramic practice intertwines art and sociology to tell personal narratives. Blending Anabaptist heritage with humanist, interfaith ideologies, I use ceramic objects as vessels for social commentary. During the making process, I combine traditional figure sculpture and pottery techniques with skills I learned from my mom’s bakery and my grandmother’s quilting. In creating this body of work, I seek to redefine my connection to Mennonite culture and contribute to a modern evolution of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art.
The 2024-25 EMBARC Fellow Exhibition features the thought-provoking work of Kashima Robinson. This exhibition highlights Kashima’s exploration of sculptural forms, mosaics like structures, tiles, and intricate containers that reflect themes of self-discovery and transformation.
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of summer with Baltimore Clayworks’ Community Arts Summer Showcase! The work in the show is from our monthly session at the Library. During these session Teachers from Baltimore Clayworks provide a multi-sensory art making experience for the blind and low vision attendants. Our staff have shared that their experience at the library has been one of reciprocity, stating that those involved bring them as much joy and excitement as they provide with their lessons. Join us in honoring the incredible stories, talents, and collaborations that emerge when art meets community.
