It’s a big deal for art lovers and Tampa Bay, period.

The National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) presents its first national conference in Tampa at the Convention Center March 30-April 2. A multitude of galleries are showing exhibitions in conjunction with the conference.

Even spaces you might regard as mediocre and old-farty are stepping it up with interesting and thought-provoking sculpture this week. (Pictured above, right, is Debbie Kupinsky’s “Trinity,” part of C. Emerson Fine Arts’ Method Multiple exhibition for NCECA.)

This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2011.