Jeremy James will be exhibiting at Art in Clay.

Summer is approaching and so are the potters markets!

The potter’s markets I’ve been to have been held outdoors in often beautiful surroundings. Hundereds of professional potter’s from all over the world show and sell their work and it’s not unusual that you can see how a pot is made. Here are a few of the major European potter’s markets. Enjoy!

Anima Roos will be at Swalmen potter’s market.

26-28th May is Potfest in Scotland. Potfest was founded by Christine and Geoff Cox and has since then grown to include five events in the UK, spread over spring and summer - see their website for information about the dates.

4-5th June Swalmen in Holland.

Virginia Graham will be exhibiting at Potfest in the Park.

10-11th June Enfanga’t in Spain.

13-16th July Art in Action in the UK.

Peter Beard will be exhibiting at Enfanga’t.

4-6th August Art in Clay is held in the grounds of Hatfield House in the UK.

16-17th September Keramisto in Holland.

Rita de Nigris and Martin Kröger will be at Keramisto.

Do you know of any other noteworthy markets that I should mention in future posts? Please email me!

A recent online search for craft theory brought back over 700 hits.

As I find myself somewhat in the midst of -gasp!- craft burnout, I find that without fail, thinking about craft from a theoretical context continues to engage me.

Recently I have noticed similar ripples online of negativity, frustration and overload regarding crafts. For the first time in several years, I have begun to see tremors indicating a possible ‘craft backlash,’ small jolts that are getting closer and closer in proximity. And I wonder if that is because the internet has a way of enlightening us while simultaneously overwhelming us.

I also wonder if it’s because we all get so wrapped up in what’s occurring in craft now that we fail to see that what’s bolstering this craft resurgence is the convergence of the past with the present.

If you, too, are currently a bit miffed and fatigued about the state of craft, please check out the following projects. And remember, cozies don’t have to be ironic to be cool.

American Craft Council
Craft Australia
Crafts Council of England
Maakin Lab
On the Edge Research
Wikipedia definition of craft

Sometimes, when you can’t get your head around a project you’ve been trying to tackle or just want some new inspiration, it’s nice to visit broader craft spectrums in order to better see the legacy that has been left to us.