Pat Dixon working for The Company was commissioned to deliver the first ever Ceramics Festival at Cockington Court in Torquay to celebrate the best in national and regional contemporary ceramic practice in May 2013.

The event offered opportunities to meet and buy direct from selected makers representing a wide variety of ceramic techniques.

Set in the Makers Pavilion on the front lawns and various venues at Cockington Court, there were opportunities to watch inspirational demonstrators, kiln firings and attend workshops for all ages and abilities, plus lectures and talks by the country’s most exciting makers.

 Festival highlights included :

·         Opportunities to meet and buy direct from selected ceramic makers

·         Take part in the rolling programme of demonstrations

·         Inspiring talks exploring professional practice by such leading practitioners as Sandy Brown, John Wheeldon, Philip Hardaker, Ian Gregory and Bruce Chivers

Hands-on experience with enticing workshops scheduled for all ages

·         Displays of creative ceramic work produced during our festival outreach programme, working with local community groups and schools

·        Screenings of international makers talking about their work in partnership with Goldmark Art TV

·         Raku firings within the grounds

·         “Fired Up and Coming” exhibition in the Kitchen Gallery, showcasing staff and student work from the region’s art colleges, which explores innovative digital techniques and processes

·         An Outreach programme that engaged over 600 children and adults