FAQ

Pottery Tours are funny things.

Those of us in the ceramics field are accustomed to pottery tours. The OG tour is in Minnesota and has been up and running for over 30 years! (Shout-out to St. Croix!)

Yet-- some of you just found out about pottery tours this week! Hope this synopsis helps, and please reach out with any quesitons you may still have!

2024  

The Aurora stop is hosting the opening reception at the Artisan Loft Gallery at 2 S Stolp, Aurora. Friday, from 6-9pm


The main event takes place at 6 stops, stretching from Forest Park to Sandwich. Each stop is hosting 5-7 invited artists. The show runs Saturday and Sunday, June 8th-9th, from 10am-5pm

Here are the basics...

  • The event is a self-guided tour across 6 pottery studios in the area

  • The studios are in Forest Park, Bensenville, Villa Park, West Chicago, Aurora, and Sandwich

  • Each host artist invites 4-6 other potters to pop up for the event for the weekend

  • Technically, the Aurora stop is a gallery versus a home studio. Nestled in the downtown, we are excited for this venue to host the opening session during First Fridays in Aurora. So... forgive the exception. It's a worthy one!

  • The event is free, and open to the public

Who is showing, and what will I find?

  • The organizing group enjoys putting together a show that celebrates the variety in the contemporary ceramics field

  • 35 artists are setting up displays of their work. Our goal is a mix of educating the public about pottery as well as creating a fun event to look forward to, annually

  • Mostly functional pottery, but also a good sprinkling of sculpture!

  • We have a passport for visiting various stops, and drawings for giveaways

Who should attend?

  • Anyone looking for a unique way to spend a day, weekend, or destination/vacation in Chicagoland!

  • Those interested in the arts.

  • Those looking to fall in love with using handmade at their table or in their home

  • Pottery collectors!

  • Folks who have fallen in love with the Great Pottery Showdown. (But please, not the movie Ghost. Too soon.)

  • And of course, other potters! We cherish the connections formed at events. There will be a little geeking out about process and shop-talk!

    Parking

  • For the Aurora stop, park on Stolp Avenue or the surrounding streets and enter the gallery. There is a parking garage near the Subway at Stolp and Downer. There is also parking at the Santori library, a few blocsk from the gallery

  • For Bensenville, park on the street and enter their backyard through the open gate on the right side of the house.

  • For Villa Park, park on the East side of Chatham or the South side of Vermont. Enter the backyard through the gate on either side of the house. Benjamin’s studio is accessible through the backyard staircase. There is also a Metra lot just South of his home.

  • For Forest Park, park on either side of the one-way street Marengo or on the South side of Lexington. Access the backyard via the gate on the side of the house.

  • For Sandwich, there is plenty of street parking at Cory’s house. Enter Cory’s backyard on the right side of the house.

  • For West Chicago, park on the East side of Bellevue or the North side of Grand lake. Enter the detached garage from the alley located to the west of Laurie’s home.