City prepares for UK's largest ceramics showcase

Johnny Vegas worked with sculptor Emma Rodgers to create an installation for the British Ceramics Biennial

Pottery artists and enthusiasts will be descending on Stoke-on-Trent over the next six weeks for the 2025 edition of the British Ceramics Biennial.

The event, described as the largest contemporary ceramics showcase in the UK, will feature a host of exhibitions from leading sculptors at the Spode Works when it begins on Saturday.

Included among the artists is comedian Johnny Vegas, whose installation Just Be There, described as an "avenue of hugs captured in clay", will be on display.

Organisers are hoping the event will help to increase optimism around an industry beset by financial struggles, which led to the collapse of three Stoke-on-Trent firms this year.

What is the British Ceramics Biennial?

The British Ceramics Biennial has been taking place every two years since 2009

The British Ceramics Biennial, organised by the art group of the same name, was first set up in 2009 with the aim of shining a spotlight on leading ceramicists and introducing work from new talent.

Clare Wood, artistic director and chief executive, described it as a "celebration of clay, craftsmanship, skill and artistry" in a city that had clay "deeply embedded" in its identity.

"Through British Ceramics Biennial we are maintaining national and international interest in Stoke-on-Trent and its ceramics," she said.

"This is important for the industry and those skilled individuals who work within it."

When and where is it happening?

The British Ceramics Biennial will be held at the Spode Works in Stoke-on-Trent

The event will start on Saturday, after an opening night on Friday, and is scheduled to last for six weeks, ending on 19 October.

According to the organiser's website, people will be able to visit for free every day between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.

It is taking place in various buildings at the Spode Works – a former pottery factory on Church Street in Stoke town centre.

The site was at the heart of the Potteries ceramics industry for more than two centuries and was known for producing fine bone China and underglaze blue transfer printing – a widely-used decorating technique.

Ms Wood said: "We're really proud to be back at Spode Works, which is a place that holds so much history for Stoke-on-Trent, ceramics and British Ceramics Biennial."

What can I expect?

The British Ceramics Biennial, pictured here in 2021, will feature more than 70 artists this year

The 2025 event will feature more than 70 artists, Ms Wood said, with a programme of exhibitions, talks, film screenings and tours.

Among those will be Vegas's artwork Just Be There, which features a number of hugged clay figures alongside a wall of unfired clay, which people will be able to make marks on to "express their feelings".

To get to and from the wall, visitors will need to walk through the avenue of hugs, described as representing "unspoken emotions of love and contentment".

Johnny Vegas trained in art and ceramics before becoming a comedian

"It's an invitation to tell it to the wall – to let it out on the wall and do something a bit destructive," he said.

"Once they've done that, they can walk back through the avenue without resentment for love and contentment."

He added that people should "by all means let it out" but they should "never let go of love".

Vegas and Ms Rodgers will be holding an artist talk at the event on 18 October.