Shino Odyssey
September 12 @ 10:00 am – October 31 @ 5:00 pm
Juried by Matthew Hyleck
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Baltimore Clayworks is pleased to present Shino Odyssey, a juried exhibition celebrating the depth and diversity of Shino glazes. This exhibition explores and showcases the vast possibilities of this glaze family known for its remarkable sensitivity to clay body, application, kiln atmosphere, and firing duration.
Participating Artists
June Ambro, Chris Archer, Alexandra Bellay, Shannon Blakey, Doug Blechner, Michael Bridges, Kai Brisk, Jo Brown, Ray Brown, Shannon Brownlee, Ben Burris, Dodie Campbell, Connie Christensen, Bede Clarke, Susan Cohen, Tom Coleman, Jim Connell, Guillermo Cuellar, Lewis Denver, Mark Derby, Edward Dyke, Emma Eckert, Jason Edmonds, Janling Fu, Yuri Gershtein, Chris Gustin, PJ Hargraves, Candice Hensley, Andrew Herstram, Joe Hicks, Steve Hilton, Erica Hood, Samantha Hostert, Janelle Jacobson, Jan McKeachie Johnston, Randy Johnston, Mayumi Kiefer, Lucien Koonce, Jill Fishon-Kovachick, Rebekah Krieger, Nisha Kurani, Ester Kwon, James Lee, Dick Lehman, Lee Love, Daryn Lowman, Joseph Lyon, Keegan Madigan, Anna Maraj, Sam McCall, , Heidi Meissner, Dan Molyneux, Sam Momeyer, Kimberly Morey, Eric Ordway, Lucas Pacuraru, Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, Doug Peltzman, Alan Perillo, Olivier Peter-Contesse, C. Luc Phinney, Roni Polisar, Carlos Prado, John Reinking, Rebecca Savuto, Loren Scherbak, Amy Schnitzer, Ellen Schön, Luke Sheets, Hitomi Shibata, Takuro Shibata, Michael Simmons, Chris Singewald, Joe Singewald, Christopher St. John, Kiichi Takeuchi, Amelia Taylor, Jack Troy, Salvatore Vascellaro, Sharon Warrington, Hong-Ling Wee, Leathia West, Mat Wheeler, Regina Wickham, Cheston Youngberg, Noelle Zambrano, Nancy Zimler
About the Juror
Matt Hyleck is a studio potter and educator whose work centers on functional ceramics and the quiet rituals of daily use. He earned his BFA from Xavier University, where he developed the foundation of his material practice and his interest in utilitarian form.
He has been part of Baltimore Clayworks for more than two decades, contributing as an instructor, mentor, and community builder. His teaching emphasizes strong foundational skills, material curiosity, and the value of repetition in developing an authentic personal voice.
Matt maintains an active studio practice alongside his leadership role at Baltimore Clayworks, supporting artists, students, and community partners through thoughtful stewardship and mission‑driven collaboration. Outside the studio, he enjoys hiking Maryland’s trails and reading.
Juror’s Statement
I am honored to support Baltimore Clayworks in the presentation of Shino Odyssey, a juried exhibition celebrating the depth and diversity of Shino glazes. As I approached this exhibition, my goal was to showcase the breadth of American Shino glaze family known for its remarkable sensitivity to clay body, application, kiln atmosphere, and firing duration. This exhibition provides a glimpse into the nuance that reflects contemporary American Shino glaze.
Traditional Japanese Shino is thought to have originated 400-500 years ago as a glaze composed almost entirely of pure local feldspar with the addition of small amounts of silica rich ash, clay and salt – the resulting glaze characteristics provide a thick white sheen.
American Shino was developed in the 1970’s by Virginia Wirz, a student working with Warren MacKenzie. The glaze evolved through the years to include Carbon Trap recipes ubiquitous to every ceramic studio – notably Malcolm Davis Shino. Carbon Trapping glazes contain a quantity of soda ash. This soluble material melts early in the firing (800 C / 1470 F). During the drying phase of the glaze application, sodium crystals may develop on the glaze skin resulting in extraordinary patterns. Resist methods, such as wax or tape masking, may be employed to control these crystal growths.
Ultimately the humidity and drying time of the glaze, placement of pots in the kiln and cycle of reduction serve key roles determining the range of carbon spotting, haloing and lining which can appear. The orange to white complexion, red and pink colorations of the main body of the glaze also responds to the iron content of the clay and glaze. The clay body on which the glazes are applied greatly effects the glaze finish. This is a glaze of subtle beauty and striking one-of-one results. This exhibition stands as a testament to all past and present masters who shared glaze recipes which have help to shape each and every one of us.
Matt Hyleck
Also on Exhibition
Shared Offerings
A solo exhibition by Ali Saunders, 2024-27 Long-term Resident Artist, about the parallels in relationships between objects and people. The show will feature objects exhibited in sets, pairs, and groupings that suggest connection and invite the viewer to observe familial links.
New Kids On The Block 2026
Incoming Fellowship Artists Show
Oktoberfest
Beer Stein and Wine Goblet Invitational
Community Arts Fall Showcase
Celebrate the creativity of our community at the Community Arts Fall Showcase