Ceramics, from serene to surreal, at Northern Clay Center's 'McKnight' show

Ceramics artists who win McKnight Foundation grants tend to be an eclectic lot, skilled at traditional glazes and designs but innovative and experimental, too. The six featured in the Northern Clay Center's new show fit that mold. Ursula Hargens decorates her earthenware tiles with keenly observed drawings of native plants. Mika Negishi Laidlaw's porcelain sculptures are expressively surrealistic, and Tom Bartel produced "Hamburgula," a bizarre figurine of a criminal type, shown here. Amy Santoferraro reconfigured familiar cuplike shapes into sculpture; Jessica Brandl illustrated topical issues on quasi-functional pots, and Andy Shaw produced serene white porcelain tableware. At the opening, several of the artists will be on hand to talk about their projects. (Opening 6-8 p.m. Fri. Northern Clay Center, 2424 E. Franklin Av., Mpls. Ends Aug. 29. Free. 612-339-8007 or northernclaycenter.org)