Ceramic Art Dover is an intergenerational collective of East Kent ceramicists. We share a passion for clay and building a community through the arts.
We provide opportunites to explore lots of clay materials and ceramic based arts and crafts through a variety of activities, such as community workshops, markets and skill sharing, to aid professional practices,
We are delighted to announce CLAYDATE 2023. Join us on 1st & 2nd of July for a clay filled weekend !
We will be at Dover Regatta on 1st July 10am-5pm, where alongside clay workshops, the wonderful Dover Community Lockdown Pots will be premiered!
On July 2nd we will be at Biggin Hall, Dover CT16 1DG 11am-4pm; we are thrilled to have 2023s ‘The Great Pottery Throwdown’ winner @lois.gunn joining us, to demo and judge our community Throwdown Challenge (if you are interested in creating a team of 4 please get in touch; the less experience the better). We will be offering a series of exciting clay activities, including raku firings, plaster casting, clay sculpting, wheel throwing demos and a Ceramics Market.
We are excited to be working alongside artist and long-distance swimmer Vanessa Daws. Vanessa’s project ‘Swimming A Long Way Together’ is in Dover for its next phase and we are inviting the public to help create small hand modelled pieces which will become part of an art installation at Dover Museum, and exhibited in the museum's new exhibition "Channel Crossings"
Free event, all ages welcome
We can’t wait to see you there! #ClayDate2023
The CLAYDATE Festival takes place every summer and offers a fun and family-friendly experience. Visitors can participate in clay making activities and even take home a raku fired piece.
CLAYDATE aims to share the joy of working with clay with the community. It's an opportunity for both beginners and experienced artists to engage in pottery. People come from Dover, East Kent, and various other places to join in the festivities. We have enthusiastic volunteers, an ample supply of clay, and plenty of people eager to give it a try. Let's unleash our creativity together!
Our last event in 2022 was inspired by and partnered with Maison Dieu. The festival's theme revolves around the history of Maison Dieu and its iconic Grotesques and Gargoyles adorning the rooftops. These sculptures hold significance in medieval traditions that have been carried forward through the years. As you stroll along the High Street, you can still catch a glimpse of these remarkable statues. The CLAYDATE team had the opportunity to explore Maison Dieu during a historical tour, witnessing these fascinating artworks and learning about the building's past. Additionally, there was an exhibition showcasing these sculptures in the main entrance of Maison Dieu. For more visuals, check out our Gallery.
Volunteers at CLAYDATE organize a variety of workshops for attendees to participate in. Additionally, on the day of the festival, you have the opportunity to visit the Ceramic Art Dover Shop, where you can purchase unique handmade items crafted by our talented ceramicists.
One of the highlights of the event was a throw-down style challenge. Contestants competed against each other on the ceramic wheel, putting their pottery skills to the test. Beginners raced against the clock in a fun and exciting way, pushing their creative boundaries to create the best pieces possible. The winners were awarded the prestigious CLAYDATE 2022 medals.
The festival provided a fantastic platform to witness highly skilled techniques and workshops all in one location. It truly is a captivating sight and will return each year. We are committed to bringing the joy of clay to all generations in the community throughout the year. So, come and join us at our community events, share your newfound passion, and get hands-on with clay.
Whether you would like to find out more about community events or get in touch with one of our artists. Contact us via email!
