Faenza is the city that gave ceramic its name. Argillà Italy — the Mondial Wheelthrowing Competition — is held here every two years, drawing the world's top throwers to compete in the birthplace of faience.
In 2024, Daniel was formally invited to participate as the United States representative, competing in timed wheel-throwing challenges alongside artists from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The competition tests speed, volume, and control — three qualities that only years on the wheel can calibrate.
Faenza marked the beginning of Daniel's international competition circuit — the first of what would become a series of appearances representing American ceramics on the world stage. It is where the ambition to compete internationally became real.