At this year's New York Ceramics & Glass Fair, running from January 21 through 25, loyal visitors are sure to notice a big change: More works that are contemporary and culturally diverse.

The exciting evolution is thanks to Elizabeth Lees, founder of the fair, who in the past few years noted a growing interest on the part of attendees for modern glass works, and Meg Wendy who joined forces with Ms. Lees last year. Now the Ceramics & Glass Fair embraces more contemporary creations than in previous years and as a result,  ‘Glass’ has been added to the fair’s title for the first time ever.

Among the contemporary artists is Chen Yan, a Chinese artist and professor who is making his U.S. debut at the fair with work utilizing unconventional combinations in handmade glazes and through the manipulation of chemistry. 

Abby Modell’s contemporary hand-blown glass pieces will be featured at Clark Priftis. which will showcase her “Galaxy Collection.” These one-of-a-kind, functional bowls are hand-blown glass, mirrored from the inside and come in two sizes: small 13" and large 18".  The bowls' on-trend colors like copper, gold and carbon, coupled with the highly reflective mirrored glass, make for show stopping statement pieces in any setting.  

The fair features many other contemporary works that are equally individualistic. For example, Michelle Erickson, whose work was displayed at the first fair 16 years ago, is showing "American Pickle Stand," which makes trenchant commentary on the country's gun culture and proves that ceramics can be used as a method of advocating for social and political change.

Contemporary Eastern European and Russian art is the focus at Red Royalty Gallery, located on Delancey Street, on New York’s Lower East Side.

Following a breakthrough year, John Pagliaro is displaying his most recent masterwork: As Red as Black Is. Enrapturing viewers with raw force and power, manganese ceramic pinch pots with red glaze in a reclaimed lumber frame combine equal parts seduction and danger. 

Katherine Houston’s Summer Splendor evidences the 18th-century techniques and aesthetics that were employed to create porcelain vegetables as contemporary objets d’art. 

Evoking the traditions of illuminated manuscript, The Three Mothers (Alephy Mem Shin), a ceramic and glass diptych by Andrea Zemel (Iliad), is at once symbolic and decorative. Illiad is also showcasing work by Steve Tobin, a world-renowned sculptor whose highly-sought after ceramic and glass artworks will be offered at the fair.

Contemporary is presenting Made in China: The New Export Ware, an exhibition curated by Leslie Ferrin that explores the dynamics of appropriation and collaboration between Western and Chinese artists. 

The Imperial yellow glaze of Prickly Melons, a work by Cliff Lee (Lee Gallery & Studio) is a result of painstaking experimentation. Named for its high position in the Ming court beginning in the 15th century, Imperial yellow eluded Lee's mastery for 17 years, but he finally re-created it successfully in this work. Lee’s work can be found at The White House, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Smithsonian, among others.

Here from London is Sylvia Powell who offers prized works by Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger.

Rounding out the cultural diversity of the fair is the loan exhibition, “It’s Always Teatime in Wonderland,” featuring the work of contemporary Czech artists, and an installation, courtesy of the Republic of Georgia.

For more information, visit www.newyorkceramicsandglassfair