MFA ceramics student Bianka Groves De La Cruz is gaining recognition for her thoughtful and patient approach to ceramics. She is currently featured in the “The Line” exhibition, September 4–26, 2026, which showcases artists who use line work to explore space through different techniques such as boundaries, textures, and storytelling. Bianka’s work highlights this focus by balancing strong contrasts with subtle variations in tone and surface.
Bianka is also featured in the 2026 issue of Studio Talk, a joint publication from Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated that highlights artists shaping the future of ceramics.
“The most challenging aspect of working in clay is time. Clay works on its own schedule, often slow and unpredictable, requiring a lot of patience. There’s waiting involved at every stage, from drying to firing, and it doesn’t respond well to rushing or ego.”
Her work often uses a limited palette of black and white, focusing on it as “a boundary,” “directional cues,” and a way to “tell a story.” She’s also drawn to the rich, earthy colors from atmospheric firings and local clays that feel more revealed than applied.
Bianka’s studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is modest but full of light and inspiration, surrounded by desert landscapes and wildlife. This environment supports her balance of traditional techniques and experimental approaches.
She shares: “The field is always changing. The boundaries of what ceramics can be continuing to grow. It’s a space where artists can explore new ideas, embrace failure, and contribute to a larger, ongoing creative conversation.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
LEARN MORE about Bianka’s thoughtful approach to ceramics by downloading Studio Talk and at ceramicsmonthly.org and potterymaking.org
