Year after year, Clay Fest comes along to give locals and visitors the chance to get their hands a little dirty and create art, and 2024 will be no different.
Taking place this summer on Saturday, June 22, The Clay Studio will once again be hosting their fan-favorite event from noon to 5 p.m. at their South Kensington venue. The artful activation will feature a number of free activities including hands-on clay projects, wheel-throwing demonstrations, a “group sculpture extravaganza”, artist-led projects, picture frame decorating, an ice cream social, and music.
Activities at Clay Fest are said to be perfect for all ages—families can decorate a handmade picture frame, succulent pinch pot planters, or transform a clay slab into a special bowl with summertime blooms that The Clay Studio will glaze and fire for free, a release notes.
There will also be the opportunity for kids to design characters and use stop-motion animation for their own cinematic project, or patrons can try their hand at wheel throwing, with Studio members there to guide the process. Younger kids (ages 3 to 6) can also join the Claymobile team for a sensory play-based activity exploring the book ‘The Day You Begin’ by Jacqueline Woodson.
Throughout the day, visitors can catch interactive artist activations: Clay Studio teaching artist Nitza Walesca will help patrons craft necklaces with beads and clay pendants, or gusts can opt to decorate handmade tiles using stencils created by Guest Artist Delvin Goode. Philadelphians can also glaze bottles made by teaching artist Paul Serena while there, and then watch as artist Brett Thomas Raku fires them on the spot.
Clay Studio Associate Artist Michael Clemmons will be on site as well to create a ceramic sculpture, or, patrons can drop into a group sculpting activity and turn 1,000 pounds of clay into a collaborative work of art inspired by The Clay Studio’s 50th Anniversary.
“We’ve long recognized just how vital the arts and cultural sector is to our community,” said Joe Meterchick, PNC regional president for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey in a statement. “The PNC team is excited to support arts and cultural organizations in the Delaware Valley. The arts and culture strengthen the local economy and have the power to bring people together. We invite our neighbors to join us and be a part of art.”
Other drop-in activities and workshops taking place this year at Clay Fest span face painting with Golden Brownie Art (noon to 5 p.m.) or ways to screen print your own tote bag with Second State Press (noon to 3 p.m.) and Folks with a green thumb can get advice on succulent planting ideas and care with Jessica from Buck County Flowers & Things (3 to 5 p.m.)
The afternoon also features live music performances, starting with musical duo Dani Dobkin and Matt Sargent performing songs from their new EP ‘Bend’ from noon to 2:30 p.m., and Brazilian music duo MINAS from 3 to 5 p.m., the release also notes.
Self-guided tours of The Clay Studio’s new building from noon to 4 p.m. will be permitted, or visitors can opt for guided behind-the-scenes tours at 1 and 3 p.m. And to finish everything off on a sweet note, Mister Softee will be on site from noon to 3 p.m. as well.
Clay Fest 2024 is a rain or shine event and all activities are free. To view the full schedule of events and to find out more information about The Clay Studio (1425 N. American St.), visit theclaystudio.org
