MANUELA OPREA
Ceramic Artist
Eternal Crescent
7.5 x 10.5 x 8.5 in
Eternal Crescent
7.5 x 10.5 x 8.5 in
Fire Dance
5 x 6.5 x 7.5 in
Fire Dance
5 x 6.5 x 7.5 in
Heaven's Flame
5.5 x 11 x 8.25 in
Heaven's Flame
5.5 x 11 x 8.25 in
Echoes of Flame
4.25 x 7.5 x 5.5 in
Echoes of Flame
4.25 x 7.5 x 5.5 in
Drift
3 x 7.5 x 9 in
Drift
3 x 7.5 x 9 in
Arctic Ash
4 x 6.5 x 6.5 in
Arctic Ash
4 x 6.5 x 6.5 in
Folded Void
9 x 6 x 3.5 in
Folded Void
9 x 6 x 3.5 in
Storm's Embrace
7.5 x 6 x 4 in
Midnight Black Ice 1
4 x 6.5 x 5 in
Midnight Black Ice 1
4 x 6.5 x 5 in
Midnight Black Ice 2
3.5 x 12 x 5 in
Midnight Black Ice 2
3.5 x 12 x 5 in
About
Manuela Oprea is a ceramic artist who focuses on handbuilt sculptural forms. Many of her pieces are created through raku firing, a process that uses fire, smoke, and rapid cooling to produce unique surface effects and metallic finishes.Born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, she grew up surrounded by mineral samples collected by her mother, a geologist. This early exposure to stone, earth, and natural materials continues to influence her work.After immigrating to the United States, Manuela studied at New York City’s High School of Art & Design, earned a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts, and later an MBA from NYU Stern. Her background in photography informs her attention to texture, contrast, and shape in clay.Now based in New Paltz, New York, she works primarily with handbuilding techniques and raku firing, combining traditional craft with experimental surface results.
Exhibitions
2025: Garrison Art Center, NY
2024: BeaconArts, NY
2024: JAG Gallery, Kew West