What is Open Source?

Open Source invites families and local communities into our creative spaces to explore ideas and possibilities through clay and digital making. A series of free Saturday events will take place with workshops and drop-in activities at each venue. 

Visitors can try creating and exploring with digital drawing techniques and making with clay. The open days will give members of the public access to two professional studios, right on the high street. With professional digital artists as well as experienced ceramic artists on hand to guide and support the creative activities. 

You could plan a whole day out in Stoke Town. For example, a digital workshop in the morning, eat lunch at a local café or restaurant and then a clay workshop in the afternoon. 

 

Creative Days on Stoke’s High Street is great for: 

• Families looking for a day of free, creative activities 

• People wanting to see what the Stoke High Street has to offer 

• Anyone interested in clay, technology and creative activities 

 

 

About Carse & Waterman’s Framescape Studio

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. 

 

 

Where and when

Saturday 31 August on the Stoke High Street. 

There will also be events on 30 November and 22 February, so mark your calendars. 

BCB Studio: Open from 10am to 4pm, 118 & 124 Church Street, ST4 1BU

Framescape: Open from 11am to 3pm, The Bank, 1 Campbell Place, ST4 1NH

 

 

Booking 

We don’t require booking, Open Source: Creative Days on Stoke’s High Street are free, drop-in events. 

Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with future events and opportunities with BCB. 

 

 Available activities

At the BCB Studio:

• Make a clay lion to decorate the studio windows, inspired by the lion sculptures decorating The Crafty Lion across the street. 

• Learn how to recycle clay and have a go at slabbing and extruding reclaimed clay 

 

At Framescape:

• Explore the world of digital drawing with an experienced Cartoonist 

• Create your own cartoon lion character  

 

What’s around

If you will be with us the whole day, you may be looking for somewhere to eat lunch. Here are some options: 

 

London Road Café: 31 London Rd, ST4 1NB 

Whether you are looking for a hearty breakfast, delicious oatcakes or a nice lunch, this cafe has something for everyone. 

Stoke Indoor Market: South Wolf Street, ST4 4AD 

A variety of eateries including Moroccan Food Stoke, Flour Power and May’s Cafe and Coffee Shop. There is also a newly refurbished seating area to enjoy your meal. 

Bo and Bean: 57 Church St, ST4 1DQ 

A family-owned bubble tea, waffle, and coffee shop that aims to promote locally sourced produce. 

Stoke Cafe: 81 Church St, ST4 1DF 

Serving breakfast all day, this is a great spot for those of us that can never decide between breakfast and lunch. 

The King’s Way: 63 Kingsway, ST4 1JB 

Previously known as the White Star, this refurbished pub is serving delicious pub classics.

The Wheatsheaf- JD Wetherspoon: 84-92 Church St, ST4 1BU 

Long-running favourite serving hearty pub fare and drinks. 

The QUARTER at Potbank: Spode Creative Village, Elenora St, ST4 1QQ 

With all-day brunch, and a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and heartier fare you are guaranteed to find something for everyone. 

The Rabbit Hole Tea Room: 9 Glebe St, ST4 1HP 

A very cosy and welcoming family run tearoom serving homemade, freshly baked cakes and scones. 

 

 

 

Access

• Framescape has flat access 

• The BCB Studio has flat access via lift (115 cm x 93 cm, max load 400kg) 

• Both locations have accessible toilets available 

• We have a portable Loop for those who need it, please email ahead of the event if you would like to use this system 

If there is anything we can do to support your participation in the event, please contact info@britishceramicsbiennial.com to discuss what we can put in place for you. 

 

 

Support

Open Source is funded by the High Street Accelerator Project and has support from the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council.