Fresh

We are now accepting applications for Fresh 2025.

Emerging artists are invited to apply for the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial Fresh exhibition, taking place in Stoke-on-Trent from 6 September to 19 October 2025.

“Exhibiting in Fresh gave me the confidence to expand my clay practice and see myself as part of a community of ceramicists in Britain. Looking back it was a real springboard for me, I met so many enthusiastic artists and was awarded a residency at Guldagergaard in Denmark which has been an amazing adventure and an opportunity to share ideas with international ceramicists.”

Dorcas Casey

Fresh Talent Prize winner 2021

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, 4 June 2025

What is Fresh?

The Fresh exhibition celebrates and promotes emerging talent in contemporary ceramics in the UK and Ireland. It explores the diverse ideas and trends in clay and ceramics practice. Shown as part of the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent, Fresh provides a unique platform for early-career artists to inspire and challenge as part of the UK’s largest contemporary ceramics event. It will bring opportunities for networking and benefits from exhibiting alongside established artists.

We invite all eligible artists to submit a proposal to present new, existing work for consideration by a professional selection panel. Applying to Fresh is free of charge. Twenty-five exhibitors will be selected by a panel of artists, curators and educators alongside a youth panel. Fresh will form an important part of the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial programme of exhibitions, projects and engagement and will be seen by thousands of visitors over the six weeks of the Biennial.

From the twenty-five selected artists, four Fresh Talent Prizes will be given to extraordinary emerging talent exhibiting in Fresh during the Biennial. The Fresh Talent Prizes include a range of unique residency opportunities that will take place through partnerships with the University of Staffordshire, Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center and Grymsdyke Farm.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, 4 June 2025

What are the ambitions of Fresh?

To celebrate and provide profile to early-career artists from different types of clay or ceramics practice.
To platform the variety of learning and development experiences informing contemporary practice.
To be diverse and inclusive, reflecting the richness of ceramics practice.

Who is Fresh for?

Fresh is looking for artists at a launch moment in their practice. This exhibition platforms emerging talent, representing artists from a variety of backgrounds. From self-taught artists to recent graduates and community workshop makers, Fresh celebrates artistic discovery and champions the courage of new beginnings.

Application Guidance

We have some helpful pages on our website to help you prepare for your application including:

When you are ready to apply, please complete our Fresh 2025 Application Form.

Fresh 2023

See the artists selected for Fresh 2023.

Our Fresh Talent Residency winners for 2023 are:

Tim Fluck, Staffordshire University residency
Caroline Gray, Grymsdyke Farm residency
Andrea Leigh, BCB Studio residency
Krzysztof Strzelecki, Guldagergarrd International Ceramics Research Centre residency

Fresh 2025 Application Guidelines (Word)

Fresh 2025 Application Guidelines (PDF)