Press Release: Palestine Grief & Connection Through Clay 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pam Totah (hello@totahstudio.com)

Date: March 25, 2026 

Pali Potters: Palestinian Ceramic Artists Present Landmark Exhibition at Arab American National Museum 

DEARBORN, MI – This spring, the Arab American National Museum will present Palestine: Grief & Connection Through Clay, a landmark group exhibition bringing together Palestinian ceramic artists from across the diaspora. Organized in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 2026 conference in Detroit, the exhibition showcases works that transform clay into a powerful medium of memory, resistance, and cultural preservation.

The artists—Leena Ismail, Car Nazzal, Eman Srouji, Leila Srouji, Amal Tamari, Pam Totah, Marina Wahbeh, and Karina Yanes—share Palestinian heritage but come from different places, different families, different walks of life. This exhibition marks the first time all eight artists have gathered in person. Despite the occupation's efforts to fragment their community, they have united through clay.

"Through our art, we invite you to see the Palestine beyond the headlines: a world of beauty, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced or disconnected from each other or their homeland," the collective states. "Our ceramic works carry the weight of memory, transforming our traditions and resilience into art that persists through time."

The exhibition is presented as part of NCECA 2026, bringing together ceramic artists, educators, and enthusiasts from across North America and beyond. Pali Potters offers a vital platform for Palestinian artistic voices within the broader ceramics community, highlighting the role of clay as a vehicle for storytelling, activism, and cultural continuity.

This is the first of many future exhibits by Pali Potters aimed at showcasing the depth and breadth of Palestinian ceramic artistry across the diaspora.

Exhibition Details:

  • What: Museum Exhibition: Palestine: Grief & Connection through Clay 

  • Where: Arab American National Museum 

  • 13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126

  • When: March 26 - May 31, 2026

  • Hours: Museum Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday 12 - 8 p.m. Thursday 12 - 8 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday

  • Admission: Included with general museum admission $10

  • Related Programs: Exhibition Opening March 26th at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. 

About the Artists: Artist Bios and Contact available via palipotters.com 

Visuals/Photo Op: High-resolution installation views, detail shots of key ceramic works, and portraits of participating artists will be available via palipotters.com. Media is welcome to photograph the exhibition.

#PaliPotters #NCECA2026 #ArabAmericanMuseum