Open Source: Creative Days on Stoke’s High Street
Arts organisations, British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) and Framescape, opened their doors last Saturday (31 August) to the first of a series of creative days to support Stoke’s high street.
Funded by the government with support from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, ‘Open Source’ gives members of the public access to two professional studios with experienced digital and ceramic artists on hand to guide and support the creative activities.
Saturday’s event saw visitors exploring digital drawing techniques and making with clay, with further events planned on 30 November and 22 February 2025.
Stoke town centre is one of ten high streets taking part in the government’s High Street Accelerators programme – to create partnerships that empower residents and community organisations to work together on long-term regeneration plans.
On the day, visitors made clay lions to decorate the windows of the BCB Studio, inspired by the lion sculptures that decorate The Crafty Lion pub across the street. They also learnt how to recycle clay and have a go at slabbing and extruding reclaimed clay.
At Framescape, visitors had the opportunity to explore the world of digital drawing with an experienced cartoonist, creating their own cartoon lion character.
Jo Mills, Studio & Community Programme Manager at British Ceramics Biennial, said: “I’d like to thank everyone that came along and supported our first Open Source event at the weekend.
“It was great to see visitors get creative with hands on activities that reflected the heritage of Stoke’s high street whilst building their skills and confidence.
“Our hope is that the events encourage more people into the town centre, supporting local businesses as well as raising awareness of two nationally significant creative organisations located on the high street.
“If you missed our first event, don’t worry – we have two more planned over the next few months.”
For more information, visit What’s On – British Ceramics Biennial
About Framescape
Framescape is a non-profit community project supporting, educating and inspiring current and future generations of digital and technical professionals in Stoke-on-Trent.
They are committed to cultivating local talent in collaboration with private-, public- and third- sector partners, establishing The Potteries as a national and global hub for the creative technologies, also known as createch, industry.
About the BCB Studio
The BCB Studio is based on the historic Spode Works factory site and provides the community with clay facilities in Stoke-on-Trent. It is an inclusive and welcoming space, a place to create, meet others, develop ideas, explore ceramics processes, and refine making skills.
