Eclosion - Honorable Mention, John Toki at the TLCA exhibition

“Eclosion,” was awarded an ‘Honorable Mention’ from the legendary John Toki at the TLCA exhibition, “Illuminations: How the Light Gets In,” held at the Falkirk Cultural Center, March 2026.

John Toki is a titan in the ceramics world—a master of monumental sculpture, a longtime educator at CCA, and the author of the definitive Hands in Clay. To have my work recognized by a juror with his technical expertise and historical perspective is a profound milestone. In this community, Toki is the “gold standard”; he literally wrote the books we study and defined the Bay Area art scene.

This recognition is more than just a ribbon. Receiving a nod from a figure of his caliber, who has spent decades shaping the craft, serves as a powerful validation of my artistic journey. It is a moment of immense gratitude and a reminder of the deep history this medium carries.