This summer I will be exhibiting in North Wales, Shaftesbury and Oxford.

Ceramic Wales with Pots, Plants and Food Festival at beautiful Bodrhyddan Hall 15th and 16th of June

www.ceramicwales.com

My work has been selected for inclusion in the next exhibition at

Turner Contemporary

Please click on the link below for more information:

https://turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/the-turner-contemporary-open/

A brand new studio ceramics site has been set up by Peter Ward creator of 'Online Ceramics' and 'Innovations in Ceramic Art' :

https://cambridgeceramics.com/

I hope everyone is managing as well as is possible in these strange and difficult times.

I had been looking forward to exhibiting at 'Potfest Scotland' in the grounds of Scone Castle, 'Celebrating Ceramics' in Waterperry and 'Potfest in the Park' Penrith. I have held back on taking part in further shows until there is a more definitive way forward. We shall miss seeing all our lovely exhibitor friends and our many returning customers as well as meeting many new.

'Celebrating Ceramics' has cancelled completely this year, dates for next year have already been confirmed: 2021 16-18th July (Please check these again nearer the time)

The 'Celebrating Ceramics' team are hoping to launch a 'Virtual Celebrating Ceramics Fair' which I will be a part of.

I have recorded a time lapse video for the virtual fair, click on the image to the right to go straight to the video on you tube. (Or the link is : https://youtu.be/v8UiJZ6Pz2M)

This is the first time I have attempted time lapse recording myself. I found I kept forgetting the camera was there, and suddenly conscious that a close up of my nose was likely filling the screen!

If you watch the video, I hope you enjoy it and find it informative too.

Unfortunately I cannot make these new dates but Potfest in the Park and Scotland have moved to September this year, 2020 Sept 4th - 6th and Sept 25th - 27th respectively (please check confirmation of these dates if you are intending to go)

Art in Clay at Hatfield House. 2019 16th -18th August

This show has now become one of the most important ceramic events in Europe.The makers range from young imaginative students and relative newcomers to leading National and International makers. Some of the best ideas for ceramics in interior and garden design will be on display for you to admire and buy.

If you appreciate the beauty of lovingly made pots and ceramics; there will be something here to inspire you. The magnificent setting of Hatfield House and it's parklands offers the opportunity to relax in the grounds during the show and spend a full day or more at this unique event.

Whether you are looking for something for the 'inside or outside' forget your preconceptions about 'craft fairs' and prepare to be amazed by the sheer diversity of Art in Clay.

Summer of 2019 events

In June I exhibited at Potfest Scotland for the first time after many years of really wanting to. A fantastic show that I will definitely look to add to my calendar from now on. Set in beautiful grounds, well organised and I'm sure a delight to visit for ceramics enthusiasts.

Another new show in July was equally welcome. A return to Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire and many happy memories of Art in Action. Celebrating Ceramics presented by Craft in Focus was a brilliant new show.

www.potfest.co.uk/Potfest-Scotland/

Valentine Clays


Clare Wakefield in her studio

Clare Wakefield works on the Kent coast and her environment and love of the sea is clearly reflected in her ceramics. To inspire her for the day ahead, whatever season, she often has an early morning sea swim.

Clare delves into a combination of themes from nature and our world. She is drawn to water and exploring coastlines, and has to be in or on the water wherever she visits. One of her most memorable travels was to the dramatic coastlines of New Zealand. Flowing lines evoke thoughts of ever moving oceans. Further elements remind us of the creatures that call the seas their home. Birth, regeneration and the bond between mother and child are recurring themes.

Clare Wakefield Dish

Clare Wakefield Globe

Another conspicuous aspect of Clare’s work is in the challenging engineering and the desire to push the clay to its limits. Many pieces are pierced to such a degree that the body is barely there. The piercings themselves play with the piece to induce the idea of movement and growth. Her use of blue, green and white glazes on a porcelain body also draw feelings of the underwater world that inspires her.

Clare Wakefield Pods

Clare’s love of ceramics started at school. She was encouraged by an enthusiastic teacher and spent free periods and other lessons she could miss in the school pottery taking her first steps exploring the medium. After school she did a foundation year, then a BTEC course at Kent Institute of Art and Design followed by a degree at Cardiff, during which time she also studied in Limoges. Through tutorials and various course projects, with tutors including Mick Casson, Alan Barrett Danes, Peter Beard and Geoff Swindell, Clare's work began to find a natural path of progression. It was at Cardiff that she felt she could really push the boundaries and explore and develop the shapes, and methods of presentation. Sea Pods were hung from high, placed in boxes, balanced on pebbles, placed inside one another.

Lovely to be part of the Valentine Clay Calendar 2016, details of how you can buy one and donate to Lisa Hammond's Adopt a Potter below.

Valentine Clays 2016 Calendar

POSTED ON: 9th Nov 2015

The Valentine Clay's annual calendar is now on sale and is made up of 6 studio potters from our Online Gallery:

January & February - Clare Wakefield Ceramics
March & April - Katy O'Neil Ceramics
May & June - Mark Smith Ceramics
July & August - Pollie & Garry Uttley Ceramics
September & October - Tony Laverick Ceramics
November & December - Sourdust Pottery

This year each potter will have two images displaying their talented work along with a statement and quote about what they do.

The calendar is currently being sold for £5.07 (this includes 91p postage) and for every one sold Valentine Clays will donate £1 to Lisa Hammond's Adopt a Potter.

Click here to purchase 2016 calendar or call 01782 271200.