AirSpace Gallery and the British Ceramics Biennial are presenting a weekend of clay-based activities including exhibitions, workshops and talks.

As part of FOCUS ON HANLEY, British Ceramics Biennial will be activating the Public Realm with a series of workshops in an outdoor marquee. Our pop up workshop space invites people to get involved with hands on making and get an insight into some of the exciting projects presented at this years festival. Over Saturday and Sunday our marquee space will host of a series of free workshops relating to our shows.

This weekend of activities is presented with funding support from BID Stoke-on-Trent. The vision of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District is to promote & support a safe, welcoming & engaging city centre destination for all.

Sue Blatherwick will be teaching people how to make their very own contemporary miniature Staffordshire flat back. In this hour long workshop you will learn how to make a press mould, fettle and glaze a minute version of one of the flat backs exhibited in the Cultural Icons show.

The workshop involves the handling of clay, and is suitable for those with some or no previous experience. The cost of the workshop is free but there will be a small deposit for firing the decorated piece.

This is a drop-in workshop – no need to book – with a maximum of 5 people at any one time. Suitable for all the family, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This will run every hour, starting at 10 and finishing 4 with a max of 5 people per hour and an hour’s break for lunch.

Joanna Hejmej will lead a drop in workshops which invites people to create their very own Cultural Icon in clay! Decide on your very own Cultural Icon, whether it is actress, singer, scientist, musician or a fictional character transform piece of clay into figurine of your chosen character.

This is a drop-in workshop – no need to book – with a maximum of 8 people at any one time. Suitable for all the family, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tom Longdon will be leading a drop in, brick making workshop throughout the day. This workshop is inspired by the fantastic show Middleport Pottery and will show people how to use brick moulds and explore new materials.

This is a drop-in workshop – no need to book – with a maximum of 8 people at any one time. Suitable for all the family, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.