The International Ceramics Festival

About

The well-established International Ceramics Festival has become a highlight on the crafts calendar since its launch in 1987 and offers both hobbyists, leading potters and ceramic artists the opportunity to meet distinguished international practitioners.

The line-up for the 15th Festival, one of the world’s greatest ceramic events, has been secured by organisers North and South Wales Potters and Aberystwyth Arts Centre and features guest artists from Thailand, India, Spain, France, Philippines, Serbia, Canada and the USA – it is truly an international event!

The event features live demonstrations of techniques, outdoor kiln building talks and talks from distinguished international practitioners from a variety of ceramic practices. It offers working potters, artists, teachers, students, collectors and lovers of ceramics and craft, the chance to see ceramicists demonstrate their technique and discuss their ideas and processes.

In 2015 the festival will play host to demonstrators from all over the world, with guest ceramicists including Christie Brown (UK), Thiébaut Chagué (France), Naidee Changmoh (Thailand), Tony Clennell (Canada), Joe Finch (UK), Rita Gudino (Philippines) Lisa Hammond (UK), John Higgins (UK), Vineet Kacker (India), Jonathan Keep (UK), Gas Kimishina (UK), Gareth Mason (UK), Sergi Pahissa (Spain), Jo Taylor (UK), Tip Toland (USA), Velimir Vukicevic (Serbia) and Bouke de Vries (Netherlands), who will be giving a lecture.

The Master of Ceremonies throughout the weekend will be the much–loved ceramic artist Jim Robison, who has been part of the Festival since 1987 and whose expertise and knowledgeable commentary enhances the experience for both demonstrators and audiences. His co-presenter is lively ceramicist and educator Ingrid Murphy who is Subject Leader in Ceramics at Cardiff School of Art.

Honorary President Lars Tharp, who joined the last festival will open the programme on Friday. He is an author, curator and museum director specialising in ceramics, and of course well-known as a broadcaster as part of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow team. 

In addition to talks, demonstrations and lectures, there will be trade stalls offering an opportunity to see and compare new equipment, tools and materials as well as purchase tried and tested products directly from the suppliers. There is also the opportunity to find out about ceramics courses from around the world, to buy specialist ceramic publications and books, and much more.

Award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest and busiest Arts Centre in Wales, and is home to the University’s prestigious collection of ceramics, including work by Hamada, Leach, Cardew and other pioneers of studio pottery ceramics alongside key contemporary work. This growing collection of over 2000 works is recognised as one of the most important in the UK.

Passes for the Festival weekend can be booked online via the festival’s website www.internationalceramicsfestival.org or by calling Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s ticket office on 01970 62 32 32. 

Full price weekend tickets are £135 (concessions available) and single day tickets start at £75.