Clay Fest 2026

Celebrate clay and community with a fun day of festivities in The Clay Studio’s new home in South Kensington! Inspired by Roberto Lugo’s Exhibition, American Crib: What’s Happening?, this year's hands-on activities for all ages explore themes around the meaning of home. This event is generously supported by PNC Arts Alive

Save the date for Clay Fest 2026

When

Saturday, June 13, 2026
12-5 pm

Where

The Clay Studio
1425 N American Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Supported by PNC Arts Alive

 

More info

Free street parking and easy access from the Girard Subway Stop and Bus Routes 57 and 5.

Also, stroll through the InLiquid Art for the Cash Poor Event (AFTCP), which features 100+ artists, crafters, and designers inside the Icebox Project Space and outside the Crane Arts Building!

 

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12pm – 5pm

Guest Artist Project with Roberto Lugo

Explore Roberto’s Lugo’s exhibition in the galleries, and then watch him in action as he demonstrates his masterful wheel-throwing techniques and design process. Learn more about Roberto's artistic practice, creative vision, and the inspirations that drive his work.

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12pm – 5pm

Guest Artist Project with María Albornoz

Draw inspiration from Teaching Artist María Albornoz as she adorns her work with intricate illustrations of home interiors, botanicals, and beyond. Watch her creative process unfold and let it spark ideas for your own hands-on projects — then pick up a pencil and sketch your own designs right alongside her.

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12pm – 5pm

3-D Printing in Clay

Prepare to be mesmerized by 3-D printing in clay. Learn about this fascinating process from teaching artist and our Digital Fabrication Studio Manager, Audrey An, who will demonstrate how to print clay vessels throughout the day.

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12pm – 5pm

Wheel Throwing 101

Try throwing on the potter’s wheel with one-on-one guidance from our teaching artists and community. Your pot will be glazed, fired, and ready for pickup in a few weeks. Please note there will be a break from 2:15 - 2:45 PM.

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12pm – 5pm

Drawing in Clay

With our Guest Artists artwork as your inspiration, try your hand at drawing in clay. Your tile will be glazed, fired, and ready to pick up in a few weeks.

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12pm – 5pm

Playful Planters

Make a planter perfect for your favorite succulent planting that is sure to enliven your home. Your piece will be fired and ready to pick up in a few weeks.

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12pm – 5pm

Clay Animation

Using the art of stop motion, create and animate clay characters. Let your imagination run wild as you bring your creations to life.

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12pm – 5pm

Clay, Play, Read

Join the Claymobile team for a sensory play-based activity exploring the book, Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou and featured in Roberto Lugo’s exhibition. This activity is best suited for children ages 3-6.

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12pm – 5pm

Poetry in Clay

Transform an everyday object into poetry in clay. Choose from a collection of pre-printed words and letters, then arrange them into a design that's uniquely yours — our team will guide you through each step along the way. Your piece will be fired and ready for pick up in a few weeks.

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12pm – 5pm

Face Painting with Gold Brownie Art

Choose a design and get your face painted by the talented Gold Brownie Art!

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12pm – 5pm

Group Sculpt: Home Edition

We're turning a thousand pounds of clay into a collaborative work of art — and we need you! This group project draws inspiration from Philadelphia's neighborhoods, and every hand that touches it becomes part of the story. Bring whatever makes you think of home: a texture, a shape, a memory pressed into clay.

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12pm – 5pm

World of Hearts Chalkout

Join in the 2nd installation of the World of Hearts Chalkout at The Clay Studio. The project is inspired by the legacy of artist Hesh Halper’s World of Hearts, who turned pavement into poetry, chalk hearts into connection, and made New York City streets romantic. Let’s bring even more love to the event by adding your hearts to the communal chalkout—chalk one. Share one. Be one.

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12:30 - 2:30 PM

Tea Tasting with The Random Tea Room

Try a selection of teas from The Random Tea Room including the special blend, American Crib, inspired by the exhibition.

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1 - 4 PM

Johnny Cruz Ensemble

Join us in the gallery, for enchanting Puerto Rican folklore songs by the Johnny Cruz Ensemble.

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Thank you to our supporters, neighbors, and event partners

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Our sponsor

Thank you to PNC Arts Alive for your generous support of Clay Fest and our year-round Hands on Clay programming!

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InLiquid

Don't miss Art for the Cash Poor! Purchase works from 100+ artists, crafters, and designers both inside the Icebox Project Space and outside the Crane Arts Building! The Art for the Cash Poor festival is an affordable art fair that activates and brings together North American Street's robust arts corridor.

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World of Hearts

Thank you to the Halper family for inspiring this year's activities and sharing Hesh's love with us all.