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Friday Night at the Art Center—”Pushing Boundaries” Opening Reception

September 19 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
Celebrate “Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity” alongside the curator & artists! Enjoy artmaking, a cash bar, & food!

Friday Night at the Art Center Opening Celebration

🗓️ Friday, Sept 19 | 🕕 6–8 PM | 📍 Palo Alto Art Center

🎟️ FREE & open to all!

Join us for a free opening celebration of the exhibition Forming Function: Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity and the debut of Ashwini Bhat: Being, Longing…

Across cultures and centuries, clay has been seen as the material from which humanity is formed — a powerful symbol of our connection to the earth and to each other. Pushing Boundaries: Ceramic Artists and Identity brings together contemporary California-based artists who use clay to explore themes of value, place, and corporeality. From the body and race to gender, sexuality, and the environment, these artists push the medium’s potential as a tool for artistic and social inquiry.

This evening also debuts Ashwini Bhat: Being, Longing…, a site-specific installation by Bay Area artist Ashwini Bhat. Coming from a background in literature and classical Indian dance, Bhat works across sculpture, installation, ceramics, video, text, and performance to create a unique visual language exploring the intersections of body and nature, self and other. The installation features a performance video projected on unfired clay, a neon installation, and a large-scale ceramic mandala created with public participation, speaking to themes of belonging, transformation, and sustainability.

✨ What to Expect

🎨 Art Activity (FREE)

🕺💃Performances by Mosaic America

🍹 Specialty Cocktails + More at Our Cash Bar ($ – Sip for a cause! Proceeds benefit the the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation) Drinks available for purchase, including: beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options

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💛 Want FREE Drinks?

Become a Palo Alto Art Center Foundation member! Members enjoy:

  • Early access to the opening, where you’ll meet the curator and artists & get behind-the-scenes insights
  • Complimentary cocktails at Friday Night events
  • Exclusive experiences year-roundMemberships start at just $6.25/month. Join today →

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