Connecticut Clay Crawl

May 1 -2, 2027 • 10 am - 5 pm

Explore Connecticut’s ceramic landscape in a statewide celebration of clay, creativity, and community.

ADD TO CALENDAR
MEET THE 2026 POTTERS
MAP
STAY IN TOUCH
2026 EVENTS SCHEDULE
FAQ's
14 POTTERY STUDIOS
PASSPORT RAFFLE

What Is The CT Clay Crawl?

The Connecticut Clay Crawl is an open studio event inviting the public into Connecticut Clay Guild member pottery studios to explore and purchase work by local ceramic artists.

Following the success of our inaugural event in 2026, May 1–2, 2027 will mark the Second Annual Connecticut Clay Crawl. Each studio on the trail will host fellow local potters, creating a statewide celebration of Connecticut's vibrant clay community. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover new artists, purchase handmade ceramics, and learn about the unique studio spaces, classes, memberships, and creative experiences each location has to offer.

Stay tuned for the 2027 line up of Studios and Artists.

*Updated July 2026

Important Dates for Studios & Artists

The Connecticut Clay Crawl is a juried event, and applications will be carefully reviewed by the Event Committee. Due to the planning timeline, late or incomplete applications cannot be considered this year.

To ensure a successful experience for participating artists, visitors, and host locations, the number of Host Studios will be limited for the 2027 event. Community studios, educational programs, and private studios representing a larger organization are encouraged to apply and will receive priority consideration.

August 1, 2026

Host Studio Application Opens

Apply HERE

October 31,2026

Host Studio Application Deadline

First Week of November 2026

Host Studio Announcements

November 15, 2026

Guest Artist Applications Open

January 15, 2027

Guest Artist Application Deadline

January 24, 2027

Guest Artist Announcements & Host Studio Placements

Host Studio & Guest Artist Information

CT Clay Crawl Fees

Host Studio Fees: 

Studio fees due upon acceptance by January 15, 2027

The Host Studio Fee includes individual participation in the CT Clay Crawl for one (1) Studio Owner as a featured artist. If a studio owner does not wish to participate as a featured artist, that space can be given to a studio manager or other employee.

  • CTCG Member Host Studio Fee: $225  

  • Non-Member Host Studio Fee: $375

Artist Fees:

Artist booth fees due upon acceptance by Feb 15, 2027

  • CTCG Member Guest Artist Booth Fee: $150

  • Non-Member Guest Artist Booth Fee: $250

Become a CT Clay Guild Member HERE.

Artist Membership: $110/year or $10/month (Students use code STUDENT for 20% off memberships and booth fee)

Studio & Business Memberships: $198/year or $18/month (Includes one (1) individual artist membership for the studio owner or manager)

Host Studio & Artist Benefits

Increased Visibility & Exposure

Events like this significantly boost exposure for both artists and studios, fostering community connections and driving new sales and customers. We project a marketing budget of $5,000 - $6,000 to attract potential new customers to your doors.

Direct Sales and Revenue Generation

Tours provide an excellent platform for direct sales of your personal work and other items in a studio’s existing gallery space, allowing visitors to purchase unique, handcrafted pieces firsthand.

Workshop and Class Enrollment

Increased visibility and engagement within the local community and art scene can ultimately boost your studio's visibility and revenue. Visitors who enjoy the tour are more likely to sign up for pottery classes or workshops offered by your studio.

Showcasing the Creative Process

Studio tours provide an inside look at your workspaces, offering insight into the techniques, tools, and inspiration behind your pottery. This new insight can lead to an increased appreciation for the craft and all the work that goes into our pieces, ultimately increasing the perceived value of handmade pottery to a wider audience.

Marketing & Promotion

Studio tours are a great way to promote your studio's unique selling points, highlighting what makes it stand out from the growing number of studios in the area. This can attract new customers and build a strong brand identity. Host Studios must host a minimum of two Guest Artists to help draw more customers to the event. However, beyond that studios have the freedom to set up their spaces for the event in any way that they choose. Studios may elect to have artist demonstrations, more formal tours of their space or kilns, customer activities or projects that allow them to get their hands in some clay, food vendors, or anything else that may draw in more people and showcase your unique offerings.

Building Community and Connections

Studio tours offer a chance to connect with other art enthusiasts, potential students, and fellow artists, fostering a strong sense of community around your studio. These connections can lead to collaborations, workshops, and ongoing support. This event will give customers a reason to visit your studio who may not be aware of everything you have to offer.  

This is a unique opportunity to showcase your studio's atmosphere and offerings to a wider audience. This direct interaction with potential customers is often more effective than traditional advertising. Unlike other New England studio tours, which are primarily showcasing private or home-based studios, the CT Clay Crawl stands out by featuring community studios, potentially leading to greater local community engagement in addition to the existing arts community.

14 Connecticut Pottery Studios

Click below to explore the studios that participated in the 2026 CT Clay Crawl and the talented guest artists they hosted.

Stay tuned! Our 2027 Host Studios will be announced in November 2026, with the full lineup of Guest Artists revealed in January 2027.

Map it out

Explore Connecticut’s ceramic landscape in a statewide celebration of clay, creativity, and community.

MEET THE 2026 POTTERS

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The CT Clay Crawl is a statewide pottery trail organized by the Connecticut Clay Guild where visitors can travel between participating studios, meet ceramic artists, watch demonstrations, and purchase handmade pottery directly from the makers.

  • Yes. Visitors are welcome to explore studios and watch demonstrations free of charge.

  • No tickets are required. Visitors can simply choose studios from the map and visit anytime between 10am - 4pm

  • Not at all. Many visitors choose a few studios in the same region to create their own pottery trail for the day.

    However, if you participate in our passport raffle you will receive one entry for every studio that you visit. By visiting all 14 studios you will receive 5 bonus entries for a chance to win a piece of handmade pottery made and donated by our particapating potters.

  • Studios will be open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm both days.

    Check out the EVENT SCHEDULE for scheduled demonstrations and other goings on at each studio.

  • Yes, most studios welcome families. However, studios are working spaces, so children should be supervised.

  • Many studios will offer demonstrations such as wheel throwing or surface decoration. Other studios will be firing work or unloading large kilns. Check out the Events Schedule for more info.

  • Can I buy pottery during the event?
    Yes! One of the highlights of the Clay Crawl is the opportunity to purchase handmade pottery directly from the artists.

    What kinds of pottery will be available?
    Visitors will find a wide range of work including mugs, bowls, plates, serving pieces, decorative vessels, and sculptural ceramics.

    What forms of payment do artists accept?
    Many artists accept credit cards, cash, and digital payments, though it may vary from artist to artist.

    Why buy pottery directly from the artist?
    Buying directly from the maker allows you to learn the story behind the piece and support the person who created it. It also helps sustain local studios and keeps creative communities thriving.

  • Handmade pottery is created individually by an artist rather than mass-produced in a factory. Each piece reflects the maker’s skill, creativity, and attention to detail. When you purchase handmade ceramics, you’re supporting local artists and bringing home an object that is both functional and unique.

  • CT Clay Crawl Host Studio Fees: 

    All Host Studio fees due upon acceptance by January 15, 2027

    The Host Studio Fee includes individual participation in the CT Clay Crawl for one (1) Studio Owner as a featured artist. If a studio owner does not wish to participate as a featured artist, that space can be given to a studio manager or other employee.

    • CTCG Member Host Studio Fee: $225  

    • Non-Member Host Studio Fee: $375

    CT Clay Crawl Artist Fees:

    Artist booth fees due once accepted, due by Feb 15, 2027

    • CTCG Member Guest Artist Booth Fee: $150

    • Non-Member Guest Artist Booth Fee: $250

    Become a CT Clay Guild Member HERE.

    Artist Membership: $110/year or $10/month (Students use code STUDENT for 20% off memberships and booth fee)

    Studio & Business Memberships: $198/year or $18/month (includes one (1) individual artist membership for studio owner or manager.)

Stay In Touch

Sign up to receive emails and info about this event

Special Thanks

This event truly would not be possible without the countless volunteer hours, planning meetings, creative brainstorming, and behind-the-scenes work of our dedicated Event Committee. Their time, energy, and commitment have helped shape the vision for the very first CT Clay Crawl and bring it to life for our entire clay community.

Please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to Kate Casner, Glen Deiter, Erika Novak, Kaylyn Clemens, Greg Cochenet, and Jaime Bliss. Your hard work, generosity, and enthusiasm have been essential in making this event happen, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you’ve contributed.

— Stephanie Haines