ST. PETERSBURG — An opening reception for “Apricity,” a new solo exhibition showcasing the work of Dani Lewis, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, 5 to 9 p.m., at the Morean Center for Clay, in the Warehouse Arts District at 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg.
Lewis unveils her solo exhibition through ambient lighting, whimsical vessels, and playful ceramic arrangements. Titled “Apricity” — which means the warmth of the sun in winter — this exhibition examines how softness, comfort, and serenity can emerge from domestic and sculptural forms.
“My work examines my relationship with clay as a place of comfort and refuge, through the creation of contemporary ceramic objects,” Lewis said. “Drawing inspiration from historical ceramic forms, fabric, clouds, and organic matter, I create ambiguous forms that invite personal interpretation. My recent practice explores the tension between sculpture and function. Incorporating light, fiber, and wax, I transform sculptural forms into domestic objects. Delicate details embedded within otherwise functional pieces invite intentionality, encouraging users to slow down and engage with the present moment.”
Lewis is a contemporary multi-media artist who primarily works with clay. She was raised in a creative Connecticut family that encouraged her to explore art at a young age. Her introduction to ceramics came in middle school.
In 2024, Lewis graduated with her BFA in ceramics from Arizona State University. She recently completed a post baccalaureate program at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn. She has received multiple awards and scholarships and has exhibited work in group and juried exhibitions around the country. She has also attended workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, was a 2025 summer resident at the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, and is a current artist in residence at the Morean Center for Clay.
The exhibition is free and open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be on view through Sept. 7.
Housed in a historic freight train depot in St. Petersburg’s vibrant Warehouse Arts District, the Morean Center for Clay is the largest pottery studio in the Southeast, and one of the largest in the United States. It is one of four venues operated by the Morean Arts Center, a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape dedicated to connecting people with art. Home to more than 50 ceramic artist studios, the Center for Clay supports the creation of both functional and sculptural ceramic art, reflecting the Morean’s mission to foster creativity, accessibility, and community engagement through the arts.
Visit www.MoreanArtsCenter.org.