Sometimes the best things come in small packages.
That's certainly true at The Clay Studio, as it prepares to celebrate the 20th annual 'Small Favors' exhibition, which challenges artists from around the world to create unique artworks in four-inch cubes.
This year features the largest collection to date, all on display and on sale in The Clay Studio’s Jill Bonovitz Gallery. 'Small Favors' is set to open Oct. 8, and runs through Jan. 3.
“The Clay Studio is thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of the incredible creativity that has flourished with the challenge to artists to transform their work into tiny treasures,” says Jennifer Zwilling, Curator and Director of Artistic Programs at The Clay Studio. “‘Small Favors’ offers artists at all levels to put their extraordinary skill, imagination, and sense of experimentation on display in a four-inch cube, all while making art accessible to more collectors."
'Small Favors' will display works submitted by over 300 artists, including world-famous artist Sergei Isupov, local legend Roberto Lugo, and up-and-coming artist Janina Myronova, all installed alongside emerging talent.
And the best part? Visitors can bring home a piece of the exhibit (priced from $35 to about $3,500). With each sale, half of the proceeds directly support the artists and the remaining half supports The Clay Studio’s direct programming, community programs and operations.
"With more than 500 artworks, this year’s exhibition is our largest yet, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to discover surprising moments of humor, gentle reminders of beauty, and true wonder at the tiny worlds waiting to be discovered inside each small cube," adds Zwilling.
Some artists maintain their usual styles on a smaller scale, while others take the opportunity to create something different. The Clay Studio has expanded the parameters for 'Small Favors' to include additional artistic mediums — wood, metal, glass, fiber, paper, paint, and, of course, clay.
For example, figurative artist Linda Cordell’s piece 'Dead Beetle' continues her practice of creating detailed ceramic carvings of animals. 'ADVENTURIST,' by ceramic sculptor Janina Myronova, showcases her use of emphatic, saturated colors and accents on adorable figurines with personality and emotion. Some works highlight how an artist can take on the challenge of 'Small Favors,' like Kerrin Nishimura’s intricate 'The Pigeon Bench,' which painstakingly depicts pigeons roosting on a park bench all within the confines of the cube.
Frequent visitors will recognize figurative sculptor George Rodriguez’s work, which demonstrates his ability to craft highly ornamented sculptures. And multimedia artist Andrew Seibert makes his 'Small Favors' debut with 'Kingfisher’s Catch,' depicting a waterbird clutching a rod and a bag of fish. The exhibition also offers functional art such as small mugs, cups, and vases.
All exhibitions are free to view, and The Clay Studio, located at 1425 N. American St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
An opening reception will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. where attendees can meet featured artists. For more information, visit theclaystudio.org.
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Know before you go...
'Small Favors' is an exhibition opening Oct. 8 at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia that features artwork in four-inch cubes.
'Small Favors' is set to open Oct. 8, 2026 and runs through Jan. 3, 2027. The Clay Studio, located at 1425 N. American St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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