Potfest in the Park Ceramics for the soul
I love the Potfest in the park. It’s always a summer event highlight for me. I was keen to support its return last year post Covid and will certainly be there again in 2022. There are over 100 exhibitors from the UK, Europe and beyond. Each ceramic artist has their own distinctive style and has spent years perfecting their art.
The festival is set against the backdrop of stately home Hutton-in-the Forest, on the edge of the gorgeous Lake District National Park. There are few things more pleasant than wandering by a magnificent country house, looking at beautiful things among the best of the English summer countryside. You may then stop for a Cumberland sausage burger or a cream tea, washed down by a nice cuppa or a small bottle of sauvignon blanc.
Passionate about Clay
The Potfest takes place in and around several large marquees on the park land in front of a magnificent country house which is still a family home. Closest to the house, the potters special competition pieces are displayed on the lawn, and visitors vote for which is the People’s Choice. Every year there is a theme and this year’s was, perhaps predictably, ‘Time and Reflection’
Each artist interpreted this theme in their own way and the sheer variety and expanse of the potter’s imagination is quite delightful. I usually prefer the naturalistic ones, especially if they involve animals, but there are some great abstract offerings too.
Music is provided by the Ragtime Rascals. They are a jolly bunch and the music is great. I have previously described them as ‘an oompah band,’ which I now feel is a little unfair.
Hutton in the Forest
Richard is the present Lord Inglewood, and still lives today at Hutton with his wife Cressida and they have three grown up children. They have continued to work on the house and gardens, including turning the Walled Garden into the spectacular flower explosion it is now, which is a must see for visitors. They have planted many trees (in the arboretum around the Dove Cote), and have cleared a large area in the Low Garden to open up the pond.
Hutton-in-the-Forest is a cultural destination in itself. With its historic house, walled garden, topiary terraces and woodland walks it makes a great day out. I love a bit of topiary.
The house itself has some amazing features including several pristine examples of original William Morris Wallpaper. There is a fascinating woodland walk and a leaflet which points out all the different types of trees. These mixed aged woods were intended to recreate the effect of the medieval forest of Inglewood. They are the habitat of all kinds of wildlife, including the now-rare red squirrel, roe deer and many species of birds.
History of the Potfest
In 1990 Geoff and Christine Cox the founders of this event are both potters themselves. They exhibited at their first Continental potters’ market, the International Ceramics Festival in Eindhoven, Holland. This event came as a revelation. Potters of international repute away from galleries, selling their work in the heart of the community. Why didn’t this happen in the UK?
Chris and Geoff soon realised that if it were to happen back home in the UK, then they would have to organise it themselves. They decided on a large under cover cattle market in Penrith as a venue and in early June 1994 Potfest in the Pens was born. The first potters’ market of any size in the UK. Their son Matthew is now also heavily involved in the festivals, which also happen in Scotland and at a new venue Compton Verney, near Stratford Upon Avon.
The Potfest in the Park followed in 2001.This is their flagship event, real a show of excellence. Attendance is by invitation only. I heard one potter say ‘I’m always so relieved when I get confirmation that they want me back!’
The Potfest in the Pens always follows the event on the park, the end of August. See well established work alongside the up and coming artists in Skarsgill’s Auction Mart in Penrith!
If you love to see beautiful ceramic art in a stunning open air setting get your tickets at Potfest in the Park and I’ll see you there!
1 thought on “Potfest in the Park”
This looks like fun! Love the fests/fairs in the UK. We once went to a steam fair and found it so interesting.
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