June 13-19

National Clay Week

Get your hands dirty and unleash your creativity - it's National Clay Week! Join in on workshops, exhibits, and events celebrating this versatile art form.

Yearly Date

June 13

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Get ready to get your hands dirty and unleash your creativity on National Clay Week, which falls on June 13 this year! This week-long celebration of clay was established in 2017 by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) to promote the art of ceramics and educate people about its history and cultural significance. Whether you're an experienced potter or a beginner looking to try something new, there are plenty of events and workshops happening all around the country for you to explore the world of clay. So why not join in on this fun and unique holiday?

National Clay Week Timeline

27,000-25,000 BC

Beginning of Pottery

The first pottery items appeared during the Ice Age from clay. Ceramic pottery was made by coiling and open firing.

4000 BC

"Wheel-Thrown" Pottery

The invention of the potter's wheel in Mesopotamia led to a revolution in pottery creation and design.

1870s

Art Pottery Movement

The Art Pottery Movement took off in the United States, marking a shift from functional ware to pottery as an artistic expression.

1950s

Studio Pottery Movement

The studio pottery movement began in post-war Britain and spread globally, with ceramists focusing on handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces.

1963

Formation of NCECA

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), an advocate for the ceramic arts, was established in the United States.

2017

First National Clay Week

National Clay Week was established by NCECA to promote and celebrate the versatile art form of ceramics and clay.

How to Celebrate National Clay Week

1 Attend a pottery workshop

Sign up for a pottery workshop at your local art center or studio. You'll learn new techniques and get to create your own clay masterpiece to celebrate National Clay Week.

2 Visit a ceramics museum

Take a trip to a ceramics museum and appreciate the beauty and history of clay art. You may even find some inspiration for your own clay creations.

3 Have a clay sculpting competition

Invite some friends over and have a friendly competition to see who can create the best clay sculpture. This is a fun and creative way to celebrate National Clay Week.

4 Create clay jewelry

Get crafty and make your own clay jewelry to wear on National Clay Week. You can use different colors and designs to make unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.

5 Organize a community clay art project

Get your community involved by organizing a clay art project. This could be a mural, a sculpture, or any other creative idea that involves everyone working together with clay.

Why We Love National Clay Week

It brings together the community of clay artists

National Clay Week is a time for ceramic artists to come together and celebrate their shared passion. It's a great opportunity to network, learn from each other, and build connections within the clay community.

It showcases the versatility of clay as an artistic medium

Clay has been used for centuries as a creative material, but it still continues to surprise and inspire artists today. National Clay Week provides a platform for artists to showcase the endless possibilities of this versatile medium through exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations.

It encourages creativity and experimentation

National Clay Week celebrates the joy of working with clay and encourages artists to push boundaries and try new techniques. With tons of events and activities happening around the country, there's no better time to explore your artistic potential and see where your creativity can take you!