The 15th edition of the New York Ceramics Fair announces that seven pottery and porcelain specialists will be making their debut at the next fair, which kicks off with a preview on January 21, 2014 at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, Since 1999, the New York Ceramics Fair has built an exemplary reputation for bringing to New York the finest exhibitors from England, Europe and all across America—and now seven new ones are stepping aboard.

“We are always thrilled to welcome fresh new participants to the New York Ceramics Fair,” says Liz Lees, who co-produces the fair with Meg Wendy, “and the notable specialists joining us in 2014 are truly exceptional. They are bringing an impressive range of offerings to the Fair’s already diverse examples of porcelain, pottery, glass, cloisonné and enamels.”

The distinguished specialists coming to the New York Ceramics Fair for the first time are: Mark & Marjorie Allen (specializing in tin-glazed pottery); Aytek USA Inc. (contemporary Iznik pottery); Jeffrey Evans & Associates (early American glass and 17th- to 20th-century ceramics); Cliff Lee (contemporary porcelain); John Pagliaro (contemporary ceramic art); Rodney Woolley Ceramics & Works of Art (early English pottery); and Haggerty Ceramics (contemporary pottery). With these additions the total number of participants is 29.

Returning galleries include: Anavian Gallery, Garry Atkins, Martin Cohen, Martyn Edgell Antiques Ltd., Michelle Erickson, Ferrin Contemporary, Katherine Houston Porcelain, John Howard, Roderick Jellicoe, Leo Kaplan, Ltd., Kingham’s Pottery, Moylan Smelkinson, Sylvia Powell Decorative Arts, Santos London, Ian Simmonds, The Stradlings, Philip Suval, Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Warren Antiques, Mark West, Lynda Willauer Antiques, and Christopher Sheppard Glass.

Also on deck is a public program of designer talks, expert lecturers and a special exhibition called The Bacchanalistas: Passions+Pleasures, which presents an overview of contemporary ceramics by living artists whose art draws inspiration from ceramic history.  Themes of passion, eroticism, sexuality, abundance and excess of food and wine will be shown through figural sculpture, animated painted vessels and still life from the 16th century through today.

The fair has designated Friday as their Designer Day featuring Alexa Hampton, Kitty Hawks, and David Scott on a panel called Porcelain Perfect: How Top Decorators Accessorize with Ceramics, in cooperation with the New York School of Interior Design, and moderated by Judith Gura, noted author and member NYSID.  Mario Buatta, the highly acclaimed interior designer, will entertain his audience with If You Can’t Hide It, Decorate It followed by a book-signing of his best-seller  “Mario Buatta: 50 Years of American Style and Decoration,” published by Rizzoli.

The Opening Preview for the New York Ceramics is an invitation-only event on January 21, 2014, from 5 to 6 p.m. A public preview, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, follows from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $90 and valid for the entire run of the Fair.

The fair opens to the public on January 22 to January 26, admission to the Fair is $20, which includes the Fair’s color-illustrated catalog. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday to Saturday, January 22-25. Hours on Sunday, January 26 are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information, visit www.newyorkceramicsfair.com