Day of Clay at York Art Gallery

Join York Art Gallery, home to the Centre of Ceramic Art, for the annual Day of Clay on Saturday 3rd September 2022.

This year’s event will feature hands-on opportunities, demonstrations, workshops, talks and performance art. Perfect for the whole family!

Learn to throw on a wheel, tour the ‘Wall of Women’, draw with clay and take part in ceramic life drawing. Plus, to celebrate the current special exhibition ‘Body Vessel Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art’, a partnership exhibition from Two Temple Place, curator Dr Jareh Das will take visitors on a guided tour around the galleries.

Day of Clay activities are free to attend and everyone is welcome to #RethinkCeramics. No booking required.

Programme of events – Saturday 3rd September 2022

CoCA 2 Gallery 

  • 11:30 – 12:15 Day of Clay 2022 Intro by Helen Walsh, Curator of Ceramics.

A rare opportunity to see Hans Coper’s infamous kick wheel live in action, with Craft Potter Chris Barnes throwing pots.

  • 13:00 – 13:30 Wall of Women tour

Learn more about the new display of works by female ceramicists.

Main CoCA Gallery

  • 12:30 – 13.30 ‘Elements’ – A creative clay performance

Join York Dance Collective performers Milena Dragic and Miranda Lowe, and create with clay, as you journey through the four Elements, with music from Bryn Davies.

  • 15:30 – 16.30 The Yorkshire Tea Ceremony tour

Curator of Ceramics, Helen Walsh, explores the world of renowned Studio Pottery Collector W.A. Ismay.

  • All day – Ceramic Bird Trail

Pick up a sheet and explore!

In the Studio

  • 11:45 – 12:45 Clay play & hand building workshop

Join artist Lyn Wait for a family-friendly, hands-on session experimenting with clay, mark making, and hand building. Take your air-dry clay creation home with you to decorate.

  • 13:15 – 14:15 Drawing with clay workshop

Get involved with a family-friendly, hands-on activity created by Body Vessel Clay featured artist, Vivian Chinasa Ezugha.

  • 14:45 – 16:15 Clay sculpture demo + workshop

Learn hand sculpting skills from Craft Potter Fellow Loretta Braganza. Create an air-dry clay vessel to take home with you to decorate.

Burton Gallery

  • 14:00 – 15:30 Drawing & ceramics workshop

Join artist Lyn Wait for a family-friendly exploration of drawing techniques, texture, ceramics packaging, and negative space.

  • 11:30; 12:00; 12:30; 13:00; 16:00 Ceramic life drawing

These self-led, 20 minute life drawing sessions feature special guest appearances by ceramic beings from the store!

Madsen Gallery – Body Vessel Clay exhibition

  • 14:00 – 15:00 In Conversation with Dr Jareh Das, curator of Body Vessel Clay, a partnership exhibition from Two Temple Place.

Upper North Gallery

  • 13:30 – 15:00 Ippuku Tea House Matcha Tea demonstration, plus Q&A

Upstairs Craft Space (former CoCA shop)

  • 13:00 – 16.00 Throwing on the wheel taster sessions

Have a go on the pottery wheel with Craft Potter, Chris Barnes. No experience necessary!