Shaping the Future at The China Hall, former Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

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Shaping the Future

23 September-5 November 2017

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

British Ceramics Biennial
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Clay production and ceramics have been a part of human culture since our earliest beginnings; the basic simplicity of the medium being one its greatest attractions. Yet by no means does this detract from the broad versatility of the form, and the range of potential new directions in which it could be taken. Shaping the Future presents an exhibition of work by a range of artists, students and teachers from four European universities, exploring new avenues of design, education and 3D printing in clay and food culture.

The exhibition forms part of the European Ceramics and its Dimensions project, which aims to advance the future of ceramics by exploring new techniques, technologies and rethinking materials. Shaping the Future will be accompanied by a series of related events running throughout BCB 2017, including a panel discussion for local ceramists and the annual European Future Lights competition for early career ceramicists (this year’s theme: ‘Diversity – of materials, people, methods, approaches, and cultures’).

The Shaping the Future exhibition is curated by Finnish artist Riikka Latva-Somppi, whose practice straddles the intersection between fine art and craft.

Where to go near Shaping the Future at The China Hall, former Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent

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Emma Bridgwater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent
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The pottery lover’s mecca, over 1.3 million Emma Bridgwater pieces are produced at the designer’s Stoke-on-Trent based factory every year – each one touched by over 30 deftly-skilled hands. Take an award-winning tour, visit the heavily discounted shop and have a go at producing your own earthenware masterpiece.

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Home to the most significant collection of Staffordshire ceramics in the world and the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found, a visit to Stoke-upon-Trent is not complete without an afternoon whiled away in The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

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Described as “the finest and most distinctive example of Modernist architecture in Stoke-on-Trent”, City Central Library is Stoke-on-Trent’s largest library, home to the city archives.

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Gladstone Pottery Museum Summer in Stoke on Trent
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The last complete Victorian pottery factory in Britain, Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton provides a unique insight into the history of Stoke-on-Trent; an area renowned for its world-class pottery and ceramics.

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Comprising of 725 acres of land set within a glorious stretch of North Staffordshire countryside on the southern fringe of Stoke-on-Trent, the award-winning visitor attraction Trentham Estate is the last remnant of one of England’s greatest garden estates.

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Built in 1888, the beautifully-conserved grade II* listed Middleport Pottery has been producing its world-famous Burleigh pieces for over 120 years. Today it is the only working Victorian pottery left in Stoke-on-Trent and a multi award-winning visitor attraction.

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