Modern ceramics are having a moment. North Brooklyn boutiques are fully stocked with cheeky (Group Partner‘s kitschy butt planters at Homecoming), spiritual (ivyivyivy‘s incense burners at M Carter) and primitive-chic (Matthew Ward‘s vessels at Home of the Brave) hand-crafted local ceramics. But there’s something truly timeless about the craft. Earth, fire, air and water: these elements are our world’s most ancient foundations, and ceramics is the only art form that makes use of all them. The Brooklyn Clay Tour is three days of exhibitions and events shining a spotlight on Brooklyn’s diverse and growing ceramics community. More than 200 clay artists are participating across Brooklyn in exhibits, demonstrations, artist talks, workshops, art sales, and culinary events. They’re also hosting a Finders Keepers ceramic treasure hunt of 100 ceramic objects hidden across Brooklyn for the finder to keep.
Some of the North Brooklyn events happening over the weekend include:
- Clay Space 1205 (1205 Manhattan Ave) Alumni Show including the ceramic works of Mondays, Clamlab, Beetle + Flor, Henry Street, Ben Howart, Christian Holstad, Natalie Weinberger, & more (full listing here) & Open Studios at Clay Space 1205, all weekend, Sept 8-10
- Artist Talk with Leah James at Greenpoint Hill (100 Freeman Street), Sat Sept 9, 4pm
- Champion Coffee (1107 Manhattan Ave) is having a mug & coffee related ceramics sale featuring artists from Clay Space 1205, all weekend Sept 8-10
- Plate Party by PFOAFM Nomadic Art/Craft Collective at Calico Gallery (67 West Street) with plates designed by over 20 ceramists commemorating their favorite artist, Sept 8, 7-9pm, Sept 9, 12-5pm
- Williamsburg Ceramic Center (265 N.9th St) open studio— sit in on demos on throwing a soup bowl or pinching a pot. Artists’ works will be on display and for sale.