The Bristol Art Museum presents "Bull in the China Shop," a dynamic and thought-provoking exhibit on view from Sunday, May 11, through Saturday, June 28. Featuring a compelling mix of functional and nonfunctional ceramics alongside striking two-dimensional artworks, the exhibit invites viewers to consider how artists interpret themes of fragility, tension, and resilience through visual form.

An Artist Reception will be held on Sunday, May 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Museum. All are welcome.

Bull in the China Shop challenges traditional notions of form, function, and artistic value, from meticulously crafted vessels to fractured ceramic shards and expressive paintings. The participating artists navigate powerful dualities—elegance and rupture, refinement and rebellion—through works that are as conceptually rich as they are visually arresting.

“Bull in the China Shop invites us to consider not only what is broken, but what endures,” said Mary Dondero, Museum Board Member and Curator. “The artists in this exhibit push boundaries—material and concepts—to uncover unexpected strength in fragility. This exhibit is about tension—not just in the artwork, but in the ideas behind it.”

As a special feature, visitors can explore The Collector’s Nook, a curated space in the Museum’s Brick Gallery showcasing ceramics and artwork available for purchase, all created by the exhibiting artists.

Artists featured in the exhibit include Jillian Barber, Rena Bidney, Ian Buchbiner, Rose Esson Dawson, Lindsey Epstein, Michael Ezell, Kendra Ferreira, Nyala Honda, Elizabeth Kendall, Denis Leonti, Michele McRoberts, Rachel Mulcahy, Elena Obelenus, Marilyn Perry, Preston Saunders, Christopher T. Terry, and Gilbert Travers.