My favourite pottery festival. Over a hundred potter's stands,
demonstrations, anagama firing, Peter Hayes exhibition, wonderful!
Fortunately the rain of Friday night and Saturday had cleared
away when I visited ClayArt Wales 2008 on the Sunday. I particularly
enjoyed watching Doug Fitch, Fergus Stewart and John Stroomer
demonstrating their throwing skills and witnessing the opening
of the bottle kiln after Saturday's firing.
A wonderful weekend, 160 potters displaying their wares under
blue skies, summer at last!!!
Excellent as usual, 101 potters this year, maybe someone sneaked
in!
Set in the grounds of the wonderful Jacobean Hatfield House
the festival has 160 exhibitors with stalls in a range of marquees
named in memory of Hans Coper, Lucie Rie. David Leach, Mick Casson
and Derek Emms. The Festival also includes a daily programme of
talks, demonstrations and Kiln firings including a Ian Gregory's
kiln in a supermatket trolley!
Set in Rufford Country Park in Nottinghamshire, Earth and Fire
is my favourite pottery festival. 100 selected potters have stalls
and there is also an anagama kiln firing and pottery demonstrations.
The Rufford Ceramic Centre houses a collection of classic pots
including work by Leach, Cardew, Rie et al. There is also a ceramics
library of out of print ceramic books and a complete set of Ceramic
Review and Crafts magazines available for nostalgic glimpses into
the past.
For me, the highlights of Clay Art 2005 were the throwing demonstrations
given by Matsuzaki Ken aided by Yo Thom and Svend Bayer.
Wet and gloomy weather this year, great event otherwise.
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