From the traditional to the abstract, the Octagon Center for the Arts’ new Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal and Wood Exhibition has something that should please everyone’s tastes.

“There are some more traditional forms, but there are a lot of pieces that challenge the viewer,” said Letitia Hansen, shop manager at the Octagon.

Hansen said the artist’s statements will be included with the exhibit to avoid confusion.

“Those statements will all be by the pieces, and that will help people to either better understand the artwork or even just know a little more about each artist,” Hansen said.

The exhibit includes 70 pieces and was chosen from 247 entries.

Local artist Kristen Wright, graduate assistant in art and design, is one of the many artists from across the country who is featured in the exhibit.

Wright’s contribution, “Hats with Pots,” is made up from two ceramic pots — one yellow and one blue, with fan-shaped adornments attached to the tops.

“The ‘Hats with Pots’ group was an experiment with both the figure and the ridiculous,” Wright said in her artist’s statement. “Why should pots or vessel-like forms have hats? Who gets to wear which hat, and just how frivolous can I make the hats?”

Hansen admitted he is partial to Wright’s piece.

“I like a lot of the clay pieces,” Hansen said. “I especially like the pieces by Kristen Wright. I’ve seen a lot of her work lately.

“She’s really involved in making those pieces. [They have] very much their own personality,” Hansen added. “They each have their own personality, and then when you put a couple together, it’s like a conversation between them. I find it really intriguing.”

The exhibit opens with a reception on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Octagon Center, 427 Douglas Ave.

Ron Kovatch, associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the School of Art and Design Ceramics Program Chair, will give a short presentation at 6 p.m. Kovatch, who judged the exhibit’s submissions, will also give awards to the artists.

The Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal and Wood Exhibition runs through April 14.

The Octagon Center for the Arts can be reached at 232-5331 for more information on this, or future exhibits.