22nd Annual Texas Clay Festival

From 22nd Annual Texas Clay Festival Website:

The Texas Clay Festival celebrates its 22nd birthday Saturday Oct 25th and Sunday Oct 26th on the grounds of Buck Pottery in Gruene, TX. Featuring over 60 of Texass finest clay artists, the festival offers visitors the opportunity to meet the artists, view and purchase their latest work , and watch demonstrations throughout both days. Its been called a two-day clay love-fest. Students and educators, professionals and collectors anyone with an interest in claycan be found in Gruene,TX on the 4th weekend in October to celebrate the ancient art of ceramics. Having a good time, celebrating the media of clay and educating the public in the ceramic arts has been a goal of the festival organizers since its inception in 1993--This is not just another craft show!

Clay enthusiasts are invited to observe demonstrations in wheel throwing, sculpture, hand building and surface decoration techniques throughout the weekend. This is the perfect time to watch and learn the ceramic techniques that the participating artists use to shape and decorate their work. Crowds also gather to watch raku firing demonstrations. In this firing method, pots are quickly heated in a small gas kilns. The pot is removed while glowing red -hot. Using tongs, the potter carefully places the red hot pot in a container filled with straw, woodchips, newspaper or other organic materials. After a short cooling period, the finished pieces are revealed - a shimmering, glazed pot with the mark of the fire. During demonstrations questions and feedback are encouraged in a casual and friendly atmosphere that is a hallmark of the festival.

At the information tent, festival visitors can purchase t-shirts and bid on clay work donated by participating artists at a silent auction that takes place on both days of the event. Auction proceeds are used to help potters in need, award clay related scholarships, and fund festival events. Auction bids are final on Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

While in Gruene, plan to shop in the many unique stores, dine in any of the fine restaurants and even kick up your heels a Gruene Hall, Texas oldest dance hall. Gruene is located just four miles north of New Braunfels. From San Antonio take I35 north just past New Braunfels to the Canyon Lake exit FM 306. Go left two miles to the traffic light and Hunter Rd., turn left and follow to Gruene. From Austin, take IH35 south, exit FM 306. From Houston take IH 10 West to the New Braunfels Hwy 46 exit and go north to New Braunfels. In New Braunfels Hwy. 46 becomes Loop 337, stay north to Common Street (approx. 2 miles) turn right, go one block to Gruene Rd., turn left and follow Gruene Rd. to the Gruene Historic District.

Please join us for the two days of fun and education in the ceramic arts. Start or add to your collection of pottery and sculpture by some of the leading clay artists working today. Admission to the festival is free.