Pottery Associations and Guilds
Potters Associations and Guilds
Pottery Associations and Guilds. A list with links to Pottery Associations and Pottery Guilds around the UK. If you wish to add your Association please email me the details.
Anglian Potters Association
Anglian Potters is a lively and thriving organisation that aims to provide the opportunity for members to meet and share their experience and enthusiasm about clay. Anglian Potters is run entirely by volunteers from the membership – so please do bear this in mind when interacting with any of our services – demo days, clay stores, etc. – someone is giving up their time to help you!
Bucks Pottery and Sculpture Society
The Society was formed in 1963 and exists to support and encourage artists who work in 3D.
We hold regular monthly talks, slide shows and demonstrations by a wide range of artists. These are great opportunities to meet and talk with other local artists over a cup of tea or coffee. Further details can be found on the Events page.
Members receive a free quarterly newsletter, with reviews of exhibitions and events, plus information about what’s on and where. It also includes items wanted or for sale and tips from other potters and sculptors.
We organise speciality workshops with visiting artists and various other social events.
Cornwall Ceramics and Glass Group
www.cornwallceramicsandglassgroup.co.uk
Cornwall Ceramics and Glass Group are individual makers
within the contemporary Cornish art scene. We came together in 2004 with the aim of promoting and encouraging all those
passionate about and working in ceramics, glass or sculpture. Our busy programme of events, including masterclasses, studio visits and workshop demonstrations, runs throughout the year, helping the creative juices flow for all with an enthusiasm for clay and glass
Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild
If you are interested in pottery, the Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild is for you. Whether you are an enthusiastic amateur, a professional potter, an art student, a tutor or technician, a collector, a beginner, or just interested in studio pottery, you will find a warm welcome amongst others with similar interests.
East Dorset Potters
East Dorset Potters, founded 20 years ago as a branch of the Bridport-based Dorset Pottery Group, was established for potters in the Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch areas. A number of the members exhibit regularly together. The group is an interesting mix of full-time and part-time potters, some of whom teach or have retired from teaching and some who are simply interested in ceramics.
We meet once a month in our homes, studios or other venues. Sometimes we have practical workshops on a theme, led by one of the group or an invited guest. Other months we may visit a local potter or simply meet socially. We also collectively exhibit our work at several local venues.
Kent Potters Association
The Association is open to all who have an interest in pottery. Our members include collectors, students, teachers, amateur and professional potters, manufacturers and suppliers. We seek to promote interest and education in ceramics throughout Kent.
London Potters
London Potters, a voluntary organisation established in 1986, serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences among individuals engaged with or passionate about ceramics. We stand as the sole London-based society that extends membership to both professional and non-professional ceramicists. Our members share a common love for ceramic art and a drive to enhance their expertise while connecting with fellow ceramic artists and collectors.
The Makers Guild
Based in Portsmouth Hampshire. The Makers Guild is a community-first organisation. With over 200 community members in our network, which includes Artists, Crafts People, Designers, Engineers, Entrepreneurs and Technologists. As well as a wider link to other creative facilities across the South of England as part of the Studios Providers Network. Developing a network like this allows us to share our knowledge and expertise on a vast array of subjects and has become the main source of inspiration to our community members.
Midlands Potters Association
The Midlands Potters Association organises demonstrations, firing events and open and selected exhibitions with galleries. Demonstrations are with a professional ceramic artist which gives members the opportunity to learn techniques and discuss ideas. Midlands Potters also get involved with community projects such as Artsfest, The Lord Mayor’s Show and St George’s Day in Birmingham.
Area groups have formed within the MPA. The area groups of Birmingham and Lichfield meet up socially on a regular basis to organise group exhibitions, workshops and firing days. Firing events take the form of Raku, paper kilns, smoke firings and pit firings. These groups provide a focus for discussion, guidance and support to members. Anyone from any group area can attend any other group meeting, there are no restrictions. Just go to a meeting that is convenient for you.
North Wales Potters Association
https://northwalespotters.org/
North Wales Potters run events for anyone interested in making ceramics
Membership benefits:
Email alerts about member’s events and other events of interest to potters in North Wales.
Free entry on the member’s work pages of this website.
Participation in NWP open exhibitions and selected exhibitions if work is approved.
Facebook page permitting posting of information of interest to members
Reduced rates for all NWP events, talks, demonstrations and practical sessions.
10% discount at Potclays and 10% at Potterycrafts
In alternate years reduced registration fees for the International Ceramics Festival.
Northern Potters Association
The aim of the NPA is to encourage and support artists in the production of sculptural, functional, fine art and decorative studio pottery in all its forms throughout the North of England
Oxford Ceramics Group
www.oxfordceramicsgroup.org.uk
The objective of the Oxford Ceramics Group is to encourage the study of European pottery and porcelain whilst also exploring their links to other cultures. We aim to provide a forum for collectors, students and enthusiasts to obtain and exchange information.
Scottish Potters Association
We aim to raise awareness of pottery in Scotland and to raise standards in the craft. We are run by members for members and work to support our members whether they are experienced professionals or just getting started.
South Wales Potters Association
One of the largest groups of professional and hobby potters and ceramicists in the UK.
We have more than 200 members, based in South, Mid and West Wales, over the water in the South West and the Heart of England and even some abroad. Members include full-time potters, sculptors and students as well as hobby potters and enthusiasts. We organise a full programme of events including demonstrations, skill-share sessions and social get-togethers.
Members also receive our ‘Shards’ newsletter four times a year. We also have an exhibition programme, allowing members to showcase and sell their work. We welcome everyone interested in ceramics, whether you are a maker or not.
Southern Ceramic Group
https://www.southernceramicgroup.org.uk/
The Southern Ceramic Group was started in 1975 by a small group of enthusiastic potters. They aimed to enable potters and sculptors normally working alone to meet other like-minded people and share ideas and techniques. The idea worked so well that the Southern Ceramic Group now has around 170 members from Hampshire and the surrounding counties. Our members are potters, sculptors, professional and amateurs, teachers and students, collectors and enthusiasts.
Sussex Guild
Designer makers of contemporary and traditional crafts
Established 50 years ago and with over 100 members, we are a group of professional designers and makers of fine, contemporary and traditional craftwork. Our shop and event room are in Lewes in Sussex, and we hold workshops and craft shows throughout the year.
Upwey Potters
The potters were gearing up for their 2020 annual exhibition as part of the
Dorset Art Weeks event, but that has been postponed until 2021. Check out the Annual Exhibition page on this website for details.
Visit the DAW website for details of the whole event.
Wales – The Makers Guild in Wales
The Makers Guild in Wales is a national applied art and craft membership organisation based in Cardiff, Wales. The organisation exists to engage and inspire audiences as a centre of excellence for Craft and Applied Art, and to champion Welsh Craft Makers. Our award-winning gallery, Craft in the Bay is located on the “Flourish” in Cardiff Bay. Opposite Wales Millennium Centre and close to the iconic Senedd Building. Our gallery is the regional hub for Craft and Applied Art in the Capital of Wales. The gallery houses exhibitions of work by our membership of Welsh craft makers alongside a curated programme of the finest National and International craft and applied art. We have developed a well-regarded programme of community craft workshops and community work.
The Guild became an Incorporated Charity in 2006 progressing out of the Guilds Co-operative origins when set up 1984. Our Charitable Aims and our co-operative ethos make us a unique organisation within Wales.
In June 2012, the Guild was used as an exemplar study into co-operative consortia by the Wales Co-operative Centre. Our large annual audiences make us one of the most visited galleries for applied art and craft in Wales.
Craft in the Bay is recognised by Cardiff Council as one of the Capitals most significant Cultural and Heritage destinations. The Gallery is an award-winning Heritage Building, short-listed for a RIBA award and received a ‘highly commended’ at the British Archaeology Award 2004.
West Country Potters Association
The Association established itself in 1993 and has flourished ever since, with approximately 400 members spread throughout the South West of England.
We welcome everyone, professional and amateur, who shares an interest in handmade pottery and ceramic sculpture. We aim to increase public enthusiasm for the qualities of handmade pottery through an active programme of interesting and informative events and to provide the opportunity for the enjoyable and stimulating exchange of ideas with fellow potters at social gatherings.
West Forest Potters
Founded in 1983, West Forest Potters boasts approximately 60 members, including both professional and amateur potters, as well as individuals with a keen interest in ceramics.
Wey Ceramics
In 1973, a group of enthusiastic local potters founded Wirral Potters with a shared goal: to exchange ideas, nurture their craft, and organise annual exhibitions of their creations. The inaugural exhibition took place in the disused Waiting Room of Hoylake Station!
From its memorable beginning, the group has received invitations to showcase their work at prestigious venues including the University of Liverpool Senate House, The Bluecoat Display Centre, Wern Gallery Nannerch, and Theatr Clwyd.
In recent years, Wirral Potters has chosen the scenic Ness Botanic Gardens as the venue for their Spring Exhibition. This event coincides with an evening where a distinguished guest potter demonstrates their unique working methods, adding a touch of inspiration to the already vibrant atmosphere.
Many of our members are makers and produce domestic, decorative and sculptural ceramics. They may be teachers, professional ceramicists or enthusiastic amateurs. The Society also welcomes members who have a general interest in ceramics but who are not actively makers.
- A few reasons to belong:
- Friendship
- Exchange of views and practice
- Access to demonstrations by other potters and sculptors
- Taking part in exhibitions
- Low annual membership fee of £20
Wirral Potters
Our Christmas Exhibition is in the exhibition space of West Kirby Library. We have also had several Showcase Exhibitions at the Williamson Art Gallery.
We have both Full and Associate members, Full members being independent members of the group have successfully exhibited at Potfest as well as having their work for sale in several well-known galleries throughout Great Britain. Associate Membership is open to aspiring potters who perhaps do not have the knowledge or set-up to work independently.
