Hailing from Oklahoma, Clayton Keyes creates sculpture to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. While intentionally leaving his work with a sense of ambiguity, Clayton’s sculpture is motivated by a need to underscore the heavy emotional weight taken on by individuals from marginalized groups tied with great concern around the plight of the natural world. He is an Assistant Professor of Art in 3D at Northeastern State University. Clayton teaches workshops nationwide. He shows nationally and received Best of Show awards in the Marge Kalodner Brown Graduate Exhibition, Clay Studio, Philadelphia and in Un-Wedged at Pottery Northwest in Seattle, and most recently was awarded the Art and Dialog Award in the 2023 State of Craft Exhibition at 108 Contemporary. His work has been published or reviewed by Ceramics: Art and Perception Magazine, Seattle Times, Lark Books: 500 Figures Vol. 2, Ceramics Monthly, Ceramic Sculpture: Making Faces, and numerous online articles/forums.