We’re sharing creative events we’re most looking forward to this June, July and August. With a focus on craft, culture and community in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, continue reading for some summer inspiration.
June 2026
GradEx Creative Industries Degree Show
29th May – 6th June | University of Staffordshire | Free
Showcasing Fine Art, Photography, Product, Furniture, Ceramics (of course) and many more subjects, the annual GradEx Creative Industries Degree Show celebrates the incredible talent and innovative designs of students while ensuring they're prepared for a future in the creative industries.
Open Art & Craft Exhibition
18th March – 14th June | The Brampton Museum | Free
The Open and Art Craft Exhibition showcases artwork from over 90 artists and makers from across the Creative County of Staffordshire. With over 100 works in a variety of media and styles.
Middleport Canal Festival
13th – 14th June | Middleport Pottery | Pay what you feel
Organised by Re-Form Heritage, the Middleport Canal Festival event is back for its third year. Stroll through Middleport Pottery to discover craft stalls, art, music, food, narrowboats, floating traders and demonstrations – all while admiring the historic canal side setting.
Claywork Stoke Rave
27th June | Gladstone Pottery Museum | Final release tickets £38.75
Back for a second time, Jordan Tilstone will be playing trance, techno and schranz at this unique day event, the Claywork Stoke Rave at Gladstone Pottery Museum. Home to ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ and with tracks ‘Kilnside Euphoria’, ‘Saggar’s Dance’ and ‘Echoes in the City’, it’s clear that Stoke has been an influence.
Pots for Flowers Exhibition
25th April – 28th June | Clay College | Free
Celebrating floral-inspired ceramics, the Pots for Flowers exhibition showcases a variety of work by six professional potters from across the UK (David Binns, Georgie Gardiner, Tanya Gomez, Jaeeun Kim, Kate Sampson and Sarah Went) have all added their individual styles to the theme.
July 2026
Staffy Trail Stoke
1st May – 19th July | Various locations | Free
Discover three colourful dog sculptures inspired by Stoke-on-Trent’s history and heritage on the Staffy Trail Stoke. Developed by local artists and schools for Staffordshire Day – visit ‘Sonney’ by Chloe Breeze, ‘Outdoors Muddy Paws’ by Lynne Hollingworth, and ‘Artie’ by Becki Kremer in Hanley Park, The Goods Yard and Stoke Minster.
Clay College Graduate Showcase
18th July – 26th September | Clay College | Free
Showcasing the work of their 14 full-time Diploma students, this Clay College Graduate Showcase exhibition ‘marks the culmination of two years of technical study and creative exploration in clay’. ‘Emerging makers at the forefront of the next wave of studio pottery’, a selection of ceramics will also be on display in London.
August 2026
The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition
8th – 29th August | Fenton Town Hall | Free
Celebrating its 30th year, The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition will be on display in The Ballroom at Fenton Town Hall. Featuring works in a range of mediums by artists across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.
Willow Pattern Ceramics and Stories of ‘Other’ Exhibition
6th September 2025 – 30th August 2026 | The Spode Museum | Free
Part of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary celebrations, the Willow Pattern Ceramics and Stories of ‘Other’ exhibition explores the history of the Willow pattern – one of the most iconic ceramic designs. Inviting visitors to ‘reflect on the often paradoxical history of Chinese influence on British ceramic traditions’, it’s curated by Professor Tiejun Hou Jingdezhen and Professor Neil Brownsword.
Ongoing
100 Years, 100 Faces
Ongoing | Marsh Street, Hanley | Free
A colourful creation by artists Rob Fenton and Alastair Barnett made for the city’s centenary in 2025, 100 Years, 100 Faces Mural actually features over 100 famous faces, along with some hidden objects for you to discover.
Our Favourite Things Exhibition
28th March – 20th December | The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | Free
Home to the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics, areas of the museum and gallery are currently closed to the public as part of the multi-million-pound transformation. Our Favourite Things is a temporary exhibition featuring handpicked objects by museum and archive staff.
What’s In Store Tour
Ongoing | V&A Wedgwood Collection | Free, but book in advance
Every Wednesday afternoon, you can go behind the scenes of the V&A Wedgwood Collection to see what the curators and archivists are working on on a What's In Store Tour. Letters, pattern books, trials – walk through aisles of Wedgwood artefacts, with many more boxes still to open.
Looking for some more inspiration this summer? Read Our Guide To Factory Tours In Stoke.