The independent, voluntary run festival runs from September 7 until October 19 at venues in Stoke, Burslem and Newcastle-under-Lyme, including landmark new venues, Spode Museum and Stoke Minster.
There will also be six factory tours on offer during the six-week event and 68 exhibitors at the five venues, Spode Museum and Stoke Minster in the town of Stoke, the Brampton Museum, Newcastle, and Barewall Gallery and Lost and Found Projects, Burslem.
Exhibitors have been hand-picked by the organisers following an application process, and include ceramicists from Stoke-on-Trent, the rest of the UK, Europe, and the USA.
Staffordshire exhibitors include Middleport Pottery based Emma Bailey. Tony Laverick, of Longsdon, Philip Hardaker, from Packmoor. Fenton-based Repeat Repeat, David Craig Howson, of Leek, who draws inspiration from the Staffordshire Moorlands landscape, and Rebecca Hogg, an experienced ceramicist currently working at Royal Stafford, Burslem, but exhibiting her own pieces, and a graduation show from students at the Middleport Pottery based Clay College.
The festival is a huge undertaking as Stoke on Clay is run by four volunteer directors.
Paul and Eleni Brammer, Jan Roberts, and Simon Drakeford were drawn together through a combined passion for ceramics and work alongside festival coordinator Caroline Kisielewicz.
The group rely on their own hard work and sponsorship to support the festival and are calling for additional support from businesses with a love of the North Staffordshire community.
Paul, who runs the Keele-based creative agency Exesios BDD together with Eleni, said: “It’s an event born out of love for Stoke-on-Trent and the endlessly fascinating pottery and ceramic creations it has generated.
“Stoke-on-Trent is unique in being the only city area which is known by its main product. Mention the Potteries around the world and you’ll probably spark a conversation about Wedgwood, Minton, or Spode.
“We celebrate that heritage but have a firm eye on the future with our carefully curated exhibitions, and we’re unique in that the organising committee are volunteers. We’re just a group of enthusiasts who want to support both North Staffordshire and the artists who continue to make innovative, stunning creations out of clay.
“While Exesios is the major sponsor, as we spend untold hours on planning the event, building the website, and working behind the scenes, we do require additional support and sponsorship. Examples would include sponsors to support networking events, the opening event, a brochure, food and drinks, or even a company with vans who could help us to safely transport exhibits between venues.
“If possible, we’d love to partner with North Staffordshire companies, for example an oatcake maker, or a local brewery.”
Jan Roberts said: “Visitors who joined us last year will see major changes this time. We have more exhibitors, improved venues, and have added additional experiences, including a factory tour taking in Duchess China, in Longton, a history walk around the town of Stoke, workshops for adults and children, an exploring ceramics talk, by renowned expert Miranda Goodby, and an Inspired by Spode event.”
For a full list of exhibitors, venues, and events, please go online to www.stokeonclay.com.
