The Department of Art and Art History is proud to highlight two upcoming faculty talks at the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures this November.

On Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m., Cate DiCesare will present Sacred Clay: Pottery in Ancient Mesoamerica, examining how ancient Mexican and Maya peoples used pottery in both everyday and sacred contexts. The talk will reveal how these vessels—adorned with images of gods, animals, and rituals—played an essential role in storytelling, ceremony, and community life. Read more →

Then, on Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m., Dave Riep will present Earth, Art, and Identity: An Exploration of African Ceramics. This lecture will trace the diverse ceramic traditions across Africa, exploring how artists and communities transform earth into forms of profound beauty and meaning. Riep will discuss the symbolic, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of clay as an expression of identity and heritage. Read more →

Together, these talks invite audiences to explore how clay connects art, earth, and human experience across cultures and time.