Pots of pots

19.06.2012

It’s that time of year again – and no, I don’t mean the rainy season (although things might be looking up on that front soon?).  It’s the time of year when potters from all over the UK, and some from abroad, get together at various events to tempt us with their wares.  And when I say potters, I mean those who sculpt with clay too – so that would be ‘ceramics’ then.  And there lies my dilemma; there seems to be some dispute over the use of the word ‘ceramicist’ versus ‘ceramist’, to describe those who make ceramics.  (I have a recollection of being told at college, and yes, I can remember that far back, that ‘ceramicist’ didn’t exist, and the word to use was ‘ceramist’.)  Now I know the obvious thing would be to look it up in the dictionary, and so, not wanting to dismiss the obvious, I did just that.  And guess what?  They are both listed.  So that seems to leave me exactly where I started, with my original dilemma  (but with the added satisfaction of knowing that what they tell you at college isn’t always right!).

Anyway, back to the events I think you should know about. These are the biggest events showing a wide range of work, varying in styles, prices and the level of experience of the maker.

First and foremost in my mind is the annual Earth and Fire at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, in Nottinghamshire – not least because it happens to be starting this week, on Friday 22^nd June, and runs until Sunday 24^th June.  Four Craft Finder makers will be there, (and there are over 100 showing in total) so good luck to Bridget Drakeford, Aimee Fisher, Margaret Gardiner and Rachel Wood. As a lover of ceramics, I’ve been many times to this event, and usually come away with a little treat.

If you happen to be further south from Friday 6^th to Sunday 8^th July, why not take a look at Art in Clay at Hatfield House?  Now I do remember one particular visit to this event, a few years ago.  As it’s not on the doorstep for me, I decided to stay overnight in a hotel, so I could be up and at the show first thing in the morning.  Through no fault of their own, the hotel in question had their water supply cut off that very morning, and although I don’t recall what I drank, I do remember washing my hair with a bottle of Evian!

(There is a second annual Art in Clay at Farnham , on November 17^th – 18^th  – but that seems ages away, and it messes up my chronological ordering of events somewhat.)

So back to July and back up north…. Potfest in the Park, in Hutton-in-the-Forest, 5 miles outside Penrith, Cumbria, takes place from Friday 27^th to Sunday 29^th July.  These potters (or dare I say ceramicists) tend to think we are most likely to spend our pennies on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, which is probably true.  And when I say pennies, I mean just that.  Many of the makers cannot process credit card transactions at these events, so you have been warned!  Just a week later is Potfest in the Pens, also just outside Penrith but this time in Skirsgill. The dates for your diary are 3^rd – 5^th August.  And just in case you were wondering, don’t expect to see the same makers at both events.  Sounds like a week’s holiday in the making if you ask me. 

There are plenty of other events coming up, where you can see ceramics alongside other contemporary crafts. Check out those listed on Craft Finder here.   Art in Action at Waterperry House in Oxfordshire is just one of them, and runs from 19^th – 22^nd July.  As its title suggests, this is where you get to see demonstrations and live performances galore.  In fact, all of the events mentioned above include classes, talks and/or demonstrations, as well as all the pots of course.

Go. Go and enjoy.