Workshops · Exhibitions · Demonstrations · Market
Join us this July in beautiful Silver City, NM for a vibrant celebration of ceramic arts! This year's CLAY Festival features hands-on workshops, dynamic exhibitions, artist talks, and a weekend marketplace full of handmade wares. Whether you're a maker, collector, or enthusiast—there's something for everyone.
Workshops
Register early—spaces are limited!
1. Tattooing Fine Lines Into Round Pots
with Bianka Groves
July 14–18 | 10am–5pm daily | $535
@ Western New Mexico University
Learn to enhance thrown forms using an inlay surface technique similar to tattooing. Students will make pots and personalize them with delicate carved designs filled with black slip.
link to register: https://secure.touchnet.com/C22616_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=365
2. Surface Exploration and Development
with Jessica Wilson
July 14–16 | 10am–4pm daily | $250
@ Bear Mountain Lodge
Explore techniques like sgraffito, mishima, resist methods, image transfer, slip trailing, decals, and more. Build a personalized surface vocabulary through hands-on experimentation.
To register:
3. A Patchwork of Pattern Play
with Miranda Howe
July 12–13 | 10am–4pm daily | $350
@ Diana Ingalls Leyba Studio & Gallery
A playful two-day workshop on decorating slab-built forms with embossing, mishima, slip-trailing, stenciling, and underglazes.
To register:
4. Bench Carving Workshop
with Athena Steen and Danielle Felgenhauer
July 16–18 | 10am–4pm daily | $375
@ Whiskey Creek Zócalo
Learn natural building fundamentals while co-creating a sculptural earthen bench with clay, straw, stone, and adobe. Led by renowned builder Athena Steen.
Link to register: https://caneloproject.com/workshop/scultped-earthen-benches/
5. The Art of Pigment Hunting
with The Pigment Hunter
July 14–15 | 10am–5pm daily | $250
@ Whiskey Creek Zócalo
Explore Silver City's landscape and learn to identify, responsibly collect, and process natural pigments and clays for use in ceramic practices.
Exhibitions
PERCEPTION
Juried Group Exhibition
Opens: July 4, 5–7pm
@ Light Art Space | 209 W. Broadway
A diverse collection of ceramic works exploring how we see, interpret, and interact with the world. Gallery hours: Thurs 11–4, Fri 11–5, Sat 11–7.
It's a Fine Line Between…
Solo Exhibition by Bianka Groves
Opens: July 4, 5–7pm
@ Flash Gallery | 209 W. Broadway
Elegant, wheel-thrown porcelain with carved, inlaid surfaces reminiscent of tattoo art.
Weathered Patterns
Solo Exhibition by Miranda Howe
Reception & Talk: July 13, 5–7pm
@ Diana Ingalls Leyba Studio & Gallery | 315 N Bullard St
Utilitarian and sculptural ceramics inspired by patterns, textures, and geologic forms.
Shades of Clay
Group Exhibition with Kate Brown & Barry Gillen
Opens: July 18, 5–6pm
Final Day: July 26
@ Made In Silver City | 206 W. Broadway
Gallery hours: Wed–Sat, 10am–5pm
More info coming soon!
Book Presentation & Live Pottery Demo
Mata Ortiz: Poetry of the Clay
Saturday, July 19 | 10am–3pm
@ Silver City Museum Annex | 302 W. Broadway
Award-winning author Charmayne Samuelson presents her bilingual photo and poetry book featuring 24 Mata Ortiz potters, with readings at 10am, 1pm, and 2pm.
Throughout the day, master potter Oralia Lopez will demonstrate her world-renowned painting technique using traditional Mata Ortiz methods.
The CLAY Market at the Historic Murray Hotel
Saturday, July 19 • 10AM–4PM
Sunday, July 20 • 11AM–2PM
The Murray Hotel – 200 W Broadway, Silver City, NM
Shop handmade, one-of-a-kind clay-centric creations from local and visiting artists during the CLAY Festival's beloved market weekend! From functional pottery to sculptural works, you'll find beautiful and unique pieces while supporting makers directly.
Held in the elegant Historic Murray Hotel, the CLAY Market is free and open to the public.
www.Murray-Hotel.com • (575) 956-9400
Stay Tuned
More exciting programming—including children's activities—will be added soon.
Visit www.clayfestival.com for full updates, registration links, and event details.
We hope to see you in Silver City this July!
