Event Info
International Ceramics Festival - 27 - 29 June 2025
Since 1987, the biennial International Ceramics Festival has grown to become one of the UK’s leading ceramics events.
Organised by North Wales Potters and South Wales Potters together with Aberystwyth University and the Arts Centre, the festival attracts over 1000 visitors for a long weekend of ceramic celebration. Meet and enjoy the work of internationally renowned potters and ceramic artists from Wales, the UK and around the world including Belgium, France, Ireland, Turkey, Japan and India.
In 2025 sustainability will be a theme running through many of the demonstrations, lectures, kiln firings, and discussions, with workshops and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Exhibitions include Ceramics and Sound in the main gallery, and great opportunities to buy work from the demonstrator’s exhibition, North and South Wales Potters show, the ever-popular cup sale and even direct from the kilns.
Guest artists: Rich Miller UK, Louise Bell UK, Patty Wouters Belgium, Hannah McAndrew & Doug Fitch Scotland, Nick Lees UK Gareth Nash Wales, Elif Ağatekin Turkey, Bonnie Grace Wales, Adil Writer India, Iku Nishikawa Japan.
Kiln firers: Euan Craig Japan, Lisa Orr USA, Joe Finch Wales, Jean Sampson Wales, Jane Jermyn Ireland.
Lecturers: Wendy Gers Netherlands, Yullia Makliuk Ukraine, Natasha Mayo Wales, Will Cobbing UK, Peter Bodenham Wales.
Group Bookings of 10+ Offer: Buy 10 tickets - get the 11th ticket free
For more information as it is announced including details of the Festival Programme and Demonstrators please visit:
www.internationalceramicsfestival.org
Ticket prices:
Weekend full price £210
Weekend NWP/SWP £185
Weekend student price £130
Friday Day Pass full price £100
Friday Day Pass NWP/SWP £80
Friday Day Pass full price £100
Friday Day Pass NWP/SWP £80
Friday Day Pass full price £100
Friday Day Pass NWP/SWP £80
Cancellations/Refunds: If for any reason you need to cancel your festival booking, we can issue a full refund or credit note up until 31st March 2025. After this point we are unable to offer a refund.
Access Needs: Please contact us to book if you have any access needs or if you have a Hynt card. Carer's tickets are available through the Box Office.
Accommodation: To book accommodation at Aberystwyth University, please go to https://bookaccommodation.aber.ac.uk/ and use Promotion Code ICF2025. There is a three-night minimum on the accommodation in the first instance. We will open for a two-night minimum on any remaining accommodation on Monday 16th December.
Accommodation queries can be made with the University Conference Office on 01970 621960 or constaff@aber.ac.uk.
An exciting extra opportunity for Festival-goers:
> Kintsugi masterclass with Iku Nishikawa Friday 27 June 11:00-14:00
Born in Kochi in Japan and now based in Oxford, Iku learned the art of kintsugi from Japanese masters Shimode Muneaki and Sato Takahiko. In recent years she has developed kintsugi techniques to make this beautiful restoration method more accessible outside Japan.
Iku will provide the tools and materials. Participants can bring their own piece to repair or purchase a small plate (£7.00) to create an exciting transformation. Workshop cost is £140 (does not include a festival ticket). Spaces limited to 12.
Secure your place to join the art of kintsugi masterclass through the Aberystwyth Arts Centre website here.
> 4-day Kiln-building masterclass with expert and text-book author Joe Finch Wednesday 25 - Saturday 28 June
Joe has been a regular at the International Ceramics Festival for many years, drawing on a truly global experience of kiln-building. In the run-up to the opening of the festival, join Joe on a 4-day, hands-on masterclass in the construction, stacking and firing of a wood-fired soda kiln of his own design. Participants can bring their own bisque fired, stoneware pots to be glazed and fired.
The fee for the course is £300 (does not include a festival ticket). Spaces limited - 6 only.
Secure your place to join the kiln building masterclass through the Aberystwyth Arts Centre website here.
