Exhibition to explore pottery's working community

The exhibition will focus on the people behind the pottery industry

An exhibition focusing on the people behind Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry is set to open at the end of the month.

The showcase will feature work from photographer Phil Crow, who has taken a number of images of people at the working pot banks of Middleport Pottery.

The aim is to take visitors behind the scenes of three different banks and explore the manufacturing process.

Named We are Middleport, the display will mark 10 years since the site became a visitor attraction and creative hub.

Mr Crow says people are always surprised at how “hands on” the UK ceramic industry remains, highlighting how a mug can pass through at least 20 pairs of hands before it is finished.

"The skillset of the pottery industry should never be undervalued or taken for granted,” he said.

Photographer Phil Crow dedicated the exhibition to the workers of the Potteries

He dedicated the exhibition to all Potteries workers, adding that there was not a "friendlier bunch" of people.

"It was a total pleasure to photograph just some of the talent in and around Middleport that represents this amazing and historical industry that makes up Stoke-on-Trent," Mr Crow said.

The exhibition will feature the workers at Burleigh Pottery and Steelite International, as well as the students at Clay College.

It will be available to view at the Middleport bottle oven from 28 June until 1 August.