The Craft & Folk Art Museum will host “Melting Point: Movements in Contemporary Clay,” a group exhibition of 23 artists who use experimental manipulation of clay for their work, from Jan. 28 to May 6. The event launches the museum’s new biennial series of large-scale, thematic exhibits focusing on divergent practices in contemporary ceramics. The “Melting Pot” exhibit, which also focuses on personal and political themes, has an opening reception on Jan. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. and is free for museum members and $12 for the general public.

“CAFAM is incredibly excited to launch its first clay biennial and our larger ceramics initiative,” said Suzanne Isken, the museum’s executive director. “With this exhibition series and our increased number of public programs focusing on clay, we are expanding our commitment to exhibiting diverse artists who push the envelope with a broad range of approaches to material and concept.”

“A larger spotlight has been placed on ceramics recently, and we wanted to take the opportunity to mark this moment of increased interest in clay from a craft perspective, featuring artists who are all heavily invested in the material,” curators Holly Jerger and Andres Payan said. “These artists possess a deep understanding of clay and its processes, history, and potential. Their dynamic range of works exemplifies the aesthetic and conceptual expansion we have witnessed in the ceramics field over the last couple of decades.”

The featured artists are Brian Benfer, Susannah Biondo-Gemmell, Nicole Cherubini, Ling Chun, Armando Cortes, Patsy Cox, Julia Haft-Candell, Stanton Hunter, Kahlil Robert Irving, Trevor King, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Linda Lopez, Walter McConnell, Ben Medansky, Jonathan Mess, Kristen Morgin, Wayne Perry, Jami Porter Lara, Brian Rochefort, Anthony Sonnenberg, Emily Sudd, Cheryl Ann Thomas, and Matt Wedel.

The Craft & Folk Art Museum is located on 5814 Wilshire Blvd. For information, visit cafam.org.