A new feature of our Annual Member Show, Celebration of Clay, begins this year. From now on, each year at Celebration of Clay we will be honoring a contemporary ceramic artist whose contributions to the New Mexico clay community are exceptional. We begin this year with ceramic artist, teacher and program director, Kathryne Cyman. In addition to her being a Professor of Practice in Arita Porcelain method at UNM, she also has been an active member of NMPCA and has served as both president and vp on the board.
Lin Johnson on the Celebration of Clay committee this year came up with the idea, and has penned this article about Kathy. It will be framed to hang in the show, next to a bowl Kathy selected to especially represent her vision.
Kathryne Cyman bowl: "natilus"
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The New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists would like to honor Kathryne Cyman for her outstanding achievements in contemporary ceramics in New Mexico. Kathryne has devoted herself to practicing and teaching the art of Arita porcelain vessels, a 400 year Japanese pottery tradition, since 1991. She began her advocation studying at the University of New Mexico with Dr. James Srubek and Japanese National Treasure, Sensei Manji Inoue in 1987. In 1997 she received an Artist-in-Residence award to study for three months in Takeo on the Island of Kyushu, Japan. When Dr. Srubek retired, she was selected by Sensei Inoue and Dr. Srubek to continue the art of Arita Porcelain Vessels at UNM where she teaches today. Kathy has traveled to Japan six times often accompanied by her students to share in the rare, cultural experience of Japan and and art of Arita porcelain. Many New Mexico potters have benefited from studying with Kathy and give back to the community as a result.
As an expert in her field she has given numerous public lectures including “A Shared Journey of International Influence” 2016 Hakome, Japan and with the UNM International Task Force Art & Culture Group of Dr. Brian Foster, 2004. Kathy was a USA sponsor of selected Pueblo and Navajo children’s ceramic artwork for “The World’s Children’s Festival” in Takeo Japan, 1997.
Kathy has received recognition for her own exquisite work. In 2003 she was recognized by Congresswoman Heather Wilson during Women’s History Month and as a Local Treasure by the AABA 2008. Her work has been exhibited in local Albuquerque galleries, the Weyrich Gallery, the Santa Fe Museum of Fine Arts 2000, and in Takeo, Japan at the International Invited Artists Exhibition l & II. She currently exhibits her work online and at the annual NMPCA "Celebration of Clay.”
We are proud and honored to count Kathryne Cyman as part of our clay community and today we honor her significant contributions.
“I find Sensei’s philosophy of ‘art is a way not a thing’ at the center of my creative process. There is a mystical element that connects me to the past and present at the same time within the practice of this art. I hope that essence is felt in my works when they are used.” K. Cyman
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Submitted by Lin Johnson, January 2026.
Kathy's bowl also appears on the logo for the show.
