KOBO Seattle | since 1995

2025 Simple Cup Show FAQ

October 10, 2025

2025 Simple Cup Show FAQ

Opening Reception and Lottery: Saturday, Nov 1, 2025, 1-4pm

Location: KOBO Gallery at Higo, Japantown

Exhibit dates: Nov 1-Dec 24, 2025

Read about the artists: here

Preview the Cups: coming soon

We’re excited to have 81 clay artists and over 300 cups in this year’s line up from around North America, UK, and Japan.

This year's co-curators are Daniel Perez and Ling Chun. The annual show is a collaboration with Seward Park Clay Studio, and KOBO Gallery.

[Cover photo cup by Sumiko Aoki]


DETAILS:

Will the cups be available to purchase?
Yes. At first by lottery on Nov 1st, which makes this an exciting event! One lottery ticket gives each person a fair chance to buy one cup. Limit one lottery ticket per person. Must be present to participate. From Nov 2nd and beyond, the remaining cups will be available for purchase online and in-store.


What is the Simple Cup Show Lottery?
Those interested in purchasing a cup will draw a lottery number which allows them access to the Cup Show Gallery. We call out the lottery numbers in groups of 10 (1-10, 11-20, etc), and participants have 10 minutes to choose their cup.


Where and when do I draw this lottery number?
Draw your lottery number on Saturday, Nov 1st, between 1-2pm, at KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown. 


What happens after I draw a lottery number?
Enjoy hot cider and snacks and gather around the fire pit, mingle with fellow collectors and ceramic artists in Chiyo's Garden behind KOBO (Dress for the weather!) Don't forget, there's a lot to explore in the neighborhood: Check out Sairen, grab a coffee at the Panama Hotel Cafe, snack on a baked good at Fuji Bakery, do some grocery shopping at Uwajimaya. Just be back by 1:45, because we will start calling numbers at 2pm.


Can I take my cup home the same day that I purchase it?
Just like a typical art exhibition, we keep the entirety of the show intact for others to enjoy for the duration of the show, Nov 1-15. Any cups purchased during the lottery or during the exhibition will be available for pickup starting Saturday, Nov 15th, until Wednesday, Dec 24.


Can I preview the Cups prior to Nov 1st?
Yes! Preview the cups in-person at KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown on Friday, Oct 31st, 11am-5pm, and online (link coming soon).


The lottery event is over, what happens with the remaining cups?
The remaining cups will be available to purchase both in-person and online. All cups purchased from Nov 1-15 will be available for pickup from Saturday, Nov 15th until Wednesday, Dec 24. If you are unable to pick up your cup in person after the show is over, it will be shipped after Saturday Nov 15th.

Please contact us if you have other questions at hello@koboseattle.com, or call (206) 381-3000.


Participating Artists:

Salem Alhussaini

Natasha Alphonse

Ken Aoki

Sumiko Aoki

Natalia Arbelaez

Mellow Ashida

Emily Au

Jamie Bates

Casey Beck

John Benn

Andritta Bernstein

Ashley Bevington

Jake Brodsky

Jeff Campana

Kendyl Chasco

Ling Chun

Krista Cortese

Andrew Deem

Shintaro Enami

Maia Erickson

Christina Erives

April Felipe

Jennifer Fujimoto

Brendan Fuller

Stuart Gair

Colleen Gallagher

Anthony Gaudino

Steven Godfrey

Lily Gray

Evan Gray Gregory

Katya Gudaeva

Iva Haas

Robin Hominuk

Chenlu Hou

Molly Hueffed

Hamish Jackson

Jia Jia

Sean Kelly

Ayako Komaki

Teppei Komaki

Peyton Lawler

Ryana Lawson

Heesoo Lee

Steve Young Lee

Cindy Leung

Sophie Lever

James Lobb

Rick Mahaffey

Adrien Miller

Wakako Miyazaki

Jack Orgill

Momoko Otani

Tetsuya Otani

Nicole Pepper

Daniel Perez

Alan Perillo

Joanna Powell

Joshua Primmer

Ian Russell-McCoy

Dwayne Sackey

Amanda Salov

Colleen Sanders

Natalie Shepard

Hitomi Shibata

Ryozo Shibata

Takuro Shibata

Tomomi Shinohara

Lauren Skelly Bailey

Rebecca Smedley

Melanie Smith

Nathan Stanfield

Michelle Summers

Kaname Takeguchi

Olivia Tani

Naoto Tanii

Jacqueline Tse

Clovy Tsuchiya

Lily Williams

Shigeki Yamada

Yoji Yamada

Chanda Zea