Major ceramics festival returns to Wrexham this weekend

One of Wales’ major Ceramic events will return to Wrexham this weekend.

The Ceramic Wales festival – now in its fourth year – brings together a wide range of leading figures in ceramics to make, display and discuss their work.

It offers the visitors the chance to see and buy some of the finest ceramics from across the UK and Europe.

This year’s festival has moved location from Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Regent Street campus as a result of scheduled maintenance work and will now be based at the university’s main Plas Coch campus in a series of marquees in the university grounds.

“Each year the festival attracts dozens of makers who work in ceramics – each brings their own individual work to display and sell,” explained Wayne Clark, applied arts demonstrator at Wrexham Glyndŵr University and one of the organisers of the festival.

“Items will be on sale for anything from £5 upwards to around £5,000 – there is something for everyone.

“We have a series of demonstrations and lectures from leading ceramics experts – including some which we are hoping to live stream using Glyndwr’s state-of-the-art television studio.

“There is a featured exhibition focusing on ceramics Made in Wales which we are running in conjunction with Ruthin Craft Centre, and which this year features Welsh tableware – with makers including Daniel Boyle, David and Margaret Frith, Jennifer Hall, Simon Hulbert, Tim Lake and Walter Keeler.”

Among the exhibitors in Ceramic Wales itself is Jane Plahe from Luxembourg, who makes sculptural vessels, Jin Ein Kim who is based in Cardiff and will be giving a demonstration of his work, and Simon Shaw and Mark Smith – each of whom will also be throwing and hand building live during the festival.

There are also lots of chances for people to get some hands-on experiences at the event, including making their own ceramics, a Raku firing workshop.

It will also feature a range of work from Glyndwr’s students and graduates, including several who have previously, or are currently, exhibiting at shows round the country, including the prestigious New Designers event held in London, MADE Brighton, and Handmade at Kew.

Wendy Lawrence, Ceramics Lecturer at Wrexham Glyndwr University and the fellow organiser of Ceramic Wales alongside Wayne, added: “This is the fourth year of Ceramic Wales, and the links with our courses and graduates grow each year.

“We have a range of exhibitors returning this year who are graduates from our courses and whose work has been displayed across the UK – it’s great to welcome them back to the university and a chance for people locally to see some of our success stories!”

Ceramic Wales is held at Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Plas Coch campus on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July between 10am and 5pm each day. There is no charge to enter.

Find out more about Ceramic Wales at their website. And find more about Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s BA (Hons) Applied Arts here.