The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio has announced the appointment of Sarah Blais as its new executive director, effective October 13, 2025.
Ms. Blais joins the organization from NewBo City Market, where she has worked since 2021, first as director of development and most recently as senior director of market operations. In her positions, she served as an advocate for artists, makers, and the creative community while working to secure grant funding for the nonprofit business incubator, including funding for its recent $6 million capital campaign.
“I’m honored to step into this role and help the community quite literally shape what is possible,” Ms. Blais said in a statement. “Our studios are a spark for the region’s creative economy and we will keep investing in teaching, tools, and talent that allows everyone to flourish.”
The Iowa Ceramics Center highlighted Ms. Blais’s leadership experience and passion for the arts as key qualifications for the position as it continues to grow as a hub for ceramics and glass in Eastern Iowa.
Ms. Blais, a 2019 Forty Under 40 honoree from the Corridor Business Journal, holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Art History from Grinnell College and has studied art in New York, Rome, Washington D.C., and London. She has long been committed to bringing her knowledge and experiences back to Iowa, driven by a belief that art and culture should be accessible beyond major metropolitan centers, according to her 2019 Forty Under 40 profile.
In her 2019 Forty Under 40 profile, Ms. Blais expressed her career goal of reaching a leadership position where she could directly influence the arts and culture sector toward greater equity and inclusion. She emphasized her vision for cultural institutions to serve as platforms for community change and service, particularly in education.
The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio provides workspace, instruction, and resources for ceramic and glass artists in the region.
