Join us for the
29th ANNUAL CUP AUCTION

Donor Preview: December 10th, 2026 Date: December 11th, 2026 from 6-9PM
Location: The Old Thompson Barn at River Valley Ranch

The Carbondale Clay Center’s beloved community fundraiser is back! Hundreds of people gather to enjoy around 250 handmade cups from artists across the country. Join the fun and bid in the auction, this directly supports CCC’s mission to enrich lives through the ceramic arts. Every dollar raised fuels our programs, artist residencies and exhibitions. From classes, kids’ activities, and community outreach these fundraisers make it possible for us to Keep Carbondale Dirty.

We are excited to bring back the dance party this year. Bidding ends at 8:30PM.

History of the Annual Cup Auction

THE INSPIRATION

Each year the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) hosts a conference where thousands of ceramic students, educators, and practicing artists come together to celebrate clay. During this annual conference, the NCECA Cup Exhibition and Sale is one of the most coveted events. Hundreds of people, from renowned artists to beginning students, donate cups in a collaborative effort to raise monetary support for NCECA’s Fund for Artistic Development. Inspired by the enormous generosity of the clay community, the emphasized accessibility, and the variety of ceramic works donated, Carbondale Clay Center Founder, Diane Kenney, wanted to start a similar community event in Carbondale, CO.

IN THE BEGINNING

In 1999, the first annual CCC Cup Auction began with Diane and a handful of Roaring Fork Valley potters calling up their clay friends asking for cup donations. Also, postcards were sent to ceramic artists across the nation, seeking their support and donation of a cup. Over the years the list of participating artists grew and evolved as new artists emerged on the clay scene. For many years the Cup Auction event was hosted in the CCC Gallery. Nowadays the Cup Auction has grown so much, it is now hosted in a pop-up location that can welcome  500+ community members to celebrate clay. 

THE PURPOSE

The Cup Auction is one of Carbondale Clay Center's largest fundraisers each year. It is also an opportunity to share and educate people about clay and showcase a wide variety of handmade ceramics. The in-person event allows the community to investigate each cup, see the range of makers – from innovators to students, and give each cup a test drive. This event embodies our mission to enrich lives through the ceramic arts by putting handmade ceramics into the community’s cupboards.

 HOW THE EVENT HAS INSPIRED THE COMMUNITY

Diane never thought people would be so excited about handmade cups. So many Carbondalians have handmade cups in their cupboards, that wouldn’t otherwise have. Some have even redesigned their kitchen to have more room for ceramics! The Cup Auction has become a favorite Carbondale event.

“Looking at the crowd each year, there are so many new faces,” says Founder Diane Kenney, “It gives me hope for the future of the Clay Center and its potential.”