Pots are dipped in glaze, sculptures finished and kilns loaded and fired, as DVC ceramics students prepare to show their sculptures and functional pottery at a statewide conference that will draw artists from 30 colleges to Davis April 25-27.

Ann Vestal, a third-semester DVC sculpture student, called the California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art “the best ceramic conference on the West Coast.”

“You’re getting to see the top ceramicists,” she said.

In addition to showing and selling their work, the 20 DVC participants will attend lectures and hands-on demonstrations.

Their artwork ranges from a sculpture of an Aztec warrior and pottery with unique glaze techniques to a politically charged sculpture of President George W. Bush.

Ella Connelly, who has attended the conference for the past two years, said it is a chance to see artwork from other colleges. “The thing that has always impressed me is the variety of work there,” she said.

In addition to the student artwork, the conference features 10 major ceramic sculpture exhibitions and Kids ‘n Clay will provide free interactive workshops that give kids a chance to experiment with clay.

Students and local ceramic artists will also display their work throughout downtown Davis.