Elizabeth F. Keller, professor of ceramics at Coastal Carolina University, was recently awarded Best in Show for her entry in the Concordia Continental Ceramics Competition 4 at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. The competition is one of the premier international juried clay exhibitions in the country.

Keller’s ceramic sculpture titled "Momiji" took top honors in the show, which featured work by 50 artists, including submissions from Canada, Mexico and Hawaii.

Juror Sarah Millfelt and curator Marko Fields selected Keller’s sculpture from among pieces from North and Central America, including the Caribbean. Professor Keller joins other noted ceramic artists, such as Diego Valles, Leopold Foulem, Yoshiro Ikeda, Virginia Scotchie and Mika Negishi, to be awarded this honor.

Keller is noted for her narrative ceramic sculptures and whimsical teapots. Her work has won awards both regionally and nationally, and has been featured in solo exhibitions, numerous regional and national juried exhibitions, in several Ceramics Monthly publications and in two recent book publications, "500 Animals in Clay" and "Teapots: Makers and Collectors."

Additionally, she has studied Christian theology and Jewish Studies at various institutions including Fuller Theological Seminary and the University of Judaism. She joined the art faculty at Coastal Carolina University in 1994.