Toasted Ceramic Fair is celebrating its second exhibition at Derby Museum & Art Gallery on the Wardwick on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March 2025. With heightened interest in clay thanks to ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ series on TV, visitors will have the chance to be inspired by the ceramics of traveling potters from Scotland to Brighton and everywhere in-between at an exhibition in the heart of England.
Toasted Ceramic Fair has 37 ceramicists showcasing their pottery in the grand setting of Derby’s former central library building. The event includes potters hosting talks about their work, their processes and journey, as well as demonstrations in how they make their ceramics – all FREE of charge for visitors to enjoy. Workshop activities for adults and children alike are scheduled at £3.50 per person, with bookings being taken online only and tickets already selling fast.
Alex Rock, Director of Commercial and Operations at Derby Museums says “Toasted celebrates the magic of making, and at Derby Museums Trust we’re proud to work in partnership to produce this event. There were queues to get in last year, and we’re delighted that Toasted will return. Let’s toast the art and mystery of ceramics while supporting independent makers, all in the unique surroundings of our beautiful Victorian library venue, the Museum on the Wardwick!”
Jack Durling who won the £100 SCARVA voucher for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the 2024 event said “I am looking forward to Toasted in Derby this year after a wonderful show last year. The venue, the people. It was fantastic. It was really special to me that the people voted for me for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ to, so thank you once again.”
With the excitement of the new season of the ‘Great Pottery Throw Down’ starting on Channel 4, many people have been excited about what can be done with clay, alongside the trials and tribulations ceramicists go through on a daily basis, and an insight into their creative minds. There are several clay evening classes around that have been growing in popularity following the TV series, where students are finding something really wholesome about using clay, as they are connecting with the earth.
Shiro who won the Toasted Community Award last year returns to TOASTED and says ‘Last years TOASTED was incredible, there was a real buzz about the event. The museum was a great venue. I’m looking forward to chatting to ‘potter friends’ and meeting customers, new and old.’
Toasted Ceramic Fair is free to enter and have a look around from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday 29th and 30th March, free to listen to talks and see demonstrations, and there will even be a Potters’ Tombola where all exhibitors have donated a piece of work, with a chance to win a piece to take home, with all proceeds going to support the Derby Museums Trust.
Pottery supplier Cromartie will also be in attendance on both days of the event showcasing their wares, with a range of products available for customers to purchase and take home on the day.
More details of the event and exhibitors is available at www.TOASTEDCeramicFair.uk and @TOASTEDCeramicFair on social media. ‘The Wardwick’ exhibition space at Derby Museum and Art Gallery encompasses the former Derby Central Library building. More details on Derby Museums Trust at https://derbymuseums.org/
