Exhibitions

In September 2024, the Arts Center of the Capital Region opened a juried pottery exhibition titled, Little Brown Jug. Ceramic artists were sent a historic slip for their contemporary pottery. These pieces won the exhibit’s best in show and showcase the diversity of this brown slip glaze. The shiny, chocolate brown surface on these vessels is called Albany slip—originally mined from glacial lakes deposits in Albany. Its dark color comes from its high iron content. This slip was used on the outside of vessels as a brown glaze finish or on the inside to prevent leakage. In the mid-19th century dark brown stoneware glazes became known as Albany slip, regardless of the clay’s source. The slip used on these pieces was mined from Schaghticoke, New York.

Inspiration for many of the pieces came from 19th century stoneware. The New York State Museum is home to one of the most significant decorated stoneware collections in the nation—the Weitsman Stoneware Collection.