Lynchburg VA center for arts, culture, and community building
Clay Festival 2024
Join us for the Academy Clay Festival, a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Academy Center of the Arts. This vibrant event will bring together potters, sculptors, wheel throwers, and hand builders from across the Piedmont Region and Eastern Shore to showcase and sell their unique works.
As a juried event, the festival promises a day filled with artistic inspiration, featuring live demonstrations and insightful lectures by participating artists. It’s also a special opportunity to meet the talented potters who contribute their work to our annual Empty Bowls event, supporting the mission of Lynchburg Daily Bread.
We are honored to have Ian Schmidt, a renowned biomorphic artist and Director of Glass & Ceramics at the Workhouse Arts Center, as the juror for this year’s festival. Ian’s extensive experience in ceramics and glass will undoubtedly elevate the event, making it an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with the artists, explore their incredible work, and celebrate the art of clay in the heart of Central Virginia.
About the Juror:
Ian Schmidt is a biomorphic artist inspired by the natural world. His works explore the connection between nature and human experience. He holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art and a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Currently, Ian is the Director of Glass & Ceramics at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. His career includes roles in technical administration at the University of Wisconsin Madison and University of Pennsylvania, as well as research and development at John Pomp Studios. He also led the Glass at Sea program at the Corning Museum of Glass.
With his extensive experience in ceramics and glass, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to his role as juror for the Academy Clay Festival.
Key Dates:
August 31 – Deadline for artist/vendor application
October 12 – Academy Clay Festival!
Tickets: Free
For more information or to reserve tickets to this performance, contact our Bank of the James Ticketing Office at (434) 846-8499.
Sponsored By:
Know before you go:
Accessibility
Age Requirement
All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket for this event unless otherwise stated. All ages are welcome.
Camera Policy
Videography and audio recording during the performances are prohibited. Photography of the set on stage is allowed pre-show, post-show, and during intermission. But we do ask that you show our designers and visiting performers some love by crediting them (and by tagging us) in your social media posts.
Content Advisory
The Academy Center of the Arts offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official show website of each show you are coming to see at the Academy. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at [email protected].
Doors Open
Unless otherwise noted, our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time and house doors open 30 minutes prior to show time for seating.
Parking & Directions
Parking is available on-site and throughout downtown Lynchburg. Our parking map (linked below) shows all of the free public and paid parking available. In addition, street parking is also available on most streets.
Ticketing Policies
Ticketing purchases are non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket to an event at The Academy Center of the Arts, you are agreeing to our ticketing policy. View our full ticketing policy.
Volunteer
Want to volunteer and see this show for free? Contact Mele Thompson, [email protected], for more information.