Small Favors

Small Favors returns to The Clay Studio on October 8, marking the 20th anniversary of one of the studio's most popular annual traditions. The exhibition runs through January 3 in the Jill Bonovitz Gallery at 1425 N. American St. in Northern Liberties, with an opening reception on Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 8 PM.

The premise is the same every year: artists from around the world are challenged to create a unique work that fits inside a four-inch cube. It's a constraint that pushes people in different directions. Some treat the cube as a miniature gallery or a self-contained diorama; others use the small scale to explore new ideas; some simply shrink their usual style down to size, while others take the opportunity to experiment with something far removed from their daily studio practice.

What started with clay has expanded over two decades to include wood, metal, glass, fiber, paper, and paint, and the show mixes world-known figures with local legends and artists new to the field. Each edition combines an open call for juried work with invited artists, and the 2026 show draws participants from Japan, China, Budapest, and across the United States. Half the proceeds from each sale go to the artist and half go to The Clay Studio's programming and operations.

Admission is free, and the works on display are for sale, priced from $35 to about $3,500. The exhibition runs from October 8 through January 3 at The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St. in Northern Liberties.