Who are the Clay Comrades?
Clay Comrades are an informal collective of approximately 15 creative people who use the British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) ceramics studio at the historic Spode Works site, Stoke-on-Trent.
The group has no fixed membership and there are no entry criteria; some members have a formal training in ceramics, others are community taught, learning as part of this supportive community.
Background
BCB opened the studio in January 2016, supported by Studio Manager Joanne Ayre. From the inception, Joanne embraced the individuals and their skills as they progressed within the studio. Early on she began developing ideas with the studio members to develop their individual and collective artistic voice.
In this first year the group secured funding to develop a clay garden installation as part of the ‘Lost Gardens of Stoke’ funded through Arts Council England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. From July- September 2016, the wider group toiled in earnest to produce what was the centerpiece to this weekend festival. It was this process of developing a shared vision and collaborative outcome that galvanised the Clay Comrades as a collective and part of the wider BCB ecosystem.
Development
Since 2016, the Clay Comrades have collectively and individually supported British Ceramic Biennial projects, but also initiated wider projects and events across the city.
Highlights include:
- Contribution to Stoke-on-Trent’s City of Culture bid (April 2017)
- PitFest, a 3 day pit firing taking place in a member’s garden (August 2017)
- Delivery of Opening Up, Moving In, Moving On conference (Oct 2017)
- Presentation of Opening Up, Moving In, Moving On conference report and poster at Centre of Ceramic Art, York Art Gallery (March 2018)
- Participation in ACAVA Spode Artists exhibition (Sept-Oct 2019)
