On view May 2 – May 31, 2026
Galusha Gallery
Free public opening reception Friday, May 15, 6 – 8 pm
Alongside our Main Gallery Members Exhibition, 2026 marks the return of our initiative to showcase the vital work of local K-12 educators and their students. Much like the show in the main gallery, K-12 Educators and Students will be juried, following the same timeline for important dates and deadlines.
2026 Panelists
Mike Helke grew up in Minnesota’s St. Croix Valley, where he still resides with his wife and two sons in Stillwater. Since receiving an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2011, he has taught at various institutions including Carleton College, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and the University of Wisconsin—River Falls, where he has served as an Assistant Professor and Ceramics Program Director since 2018. In addition to his commitment to family and teaching, Helke maintains a rigorous full-time studio practice. This research has been exhibited, presented, and published across the country at organizations including Harvard University, the Anderson Ranch Art Center, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis. Helke is a two-time recipient of the Carleton College Dayton Hudson Distinguished Teacher/Artist award and has received grant awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. In 2020, he was a United States Artist Fellowship nominee.
Makilyn Koep graduated from Iowa State University with a BFA focusing on ceramics, painting, and mixed media. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota to receive a Master’s in Education, specializing in culturally relevant curriculum and the value of the art-making process over the final product. While completing her graduate studies, she began her tenure at the Rumriver Art Center as a volunteer clay technician. Clay has long been her primary medium—a tactile means of exploring both sculptural and functional forms. The flourishing creative community in Anoka has inspired her professional trajectory within the organization, moving from volunteer to teaching artist and Creative Director. In 2024, she was named the Executive Director of the Rumriver Art Center. As a process-focused and community-driven artist, Koep is dedicated to the healing power of art and its ability to foster deep human connection. Her work and leadership continue to be motivated by a desire to expand artistic opportunities and impact within her community.
Important info
Applicants need NOT be members to apply to this exhibition.
The educator/student-artists are responsible for all shipping/transportation to and from NCC. Please note that the final day to pick up work in the exhibition will end after most school calendars, so create a plan with students for the pickup and return of works in the live exhibition. Applicants can submit up to two images of one piece that was created during the past two years. The work accepted for the exhibition MUST be the work submitted to the jury for consideration. Please only submit a work that has not been previously exhibited at NCC. Due to space constraints, and a desire to include as many artists as possible, we must limit the size of any individual piece to 36” x 36” x 36”.
One note regarding photos for the K-12 Educators and Students application: NCC knows time and resources are stretched thin in an education setting. While we recognize that creating a photograph of one’s work may present an additional teaching opportunity and skill-building exercise, we do not require professional-level images for jury consideration; the quality of the images will in no way impact the jury process.
Students’ names will be shortened to first name and last initial to maintain the privacy and safety of minors.
Important Dates:
February 2: Applications open
March 15, 5 pm CT: Applications due
April 6: Applicants notified regarding jury results (In-person exhibition and online exhibition.)
April 12: Artwork must be dropped off to NCC by or before this date for the in-person exhibition
April 20: Gallery installation begins
May 2: Exhibition opens
May 15, 6 – 8 pm: Public reception
May 31: Last day of exhibition
June 2-6: Encouraged to pick up work from exhibition
June 21: Final day to pick up work from exhibition
Please email us at nccinfo@northernclaycenter.org with questions about the exhibition or application process. We are happy to help!