What's On In Our Activity Tents
Step into a world of creativity at MUDFest, where you’re invited to discover the joy of working with clay and explore a weekend packed with inspiring activities. From hands-on workshops to live demonstrations, our programme is designed to spark your imagination and connect you with a vibrant community of makers. Let your creativity flourish and make lasting memories with us!
Smoke Fired Pottery
Come and experience the drama of its making process with unpredictable but exciting results. Smoke fired pottery is enhanced and decorated from the smoke of the fire entering the clay as it is fired.
Prior to our festival (12th April) you will spend your time constructing your vessel with guidance from Kathryn, before burnishing it to achieve a smooth surface. Kathryn will then take your pieces back to her studio for the initial firing. Prior booking required.
At MUDFest, you will have the opportunity to smoke fire your piece during the event either on the Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th May. We will be wrapping the pieces in organic matter, like banana/orange/avocado skins, seaweed, nutshells, horse hair, feathers etc. The pots will be placed in a bin with wood shavings, small sticks. Once lit, the fire will be smouldering for a few hours and the bin will be cooled down enough for the pots to be taken out by the end of the day to reveal the results.
Carving Demo
Join Sara for a demonstration of her carving one of her large rabbit sculptures based on her illustration which is a reminder of better times to come when things are tough.
Wheel Throwing
Small Ceramics have loaned MUDFest three of their wheels for people to have a go at throwing clay. This innovative London company has shrunk the throwing experience without compromising on quality or usability using 3D printing technology. These sessions will be led by Kathryn and it gives you the opportunity to give it a try.
Free taster sessions running throughout each day.
Seed Pod Pots Demo
Join Becky as she demonstrates the techniques she uses in her work before grabbing the opportunity to have a go at sculpting your own seed inspired pod pots. Come and play with clay and make mini pod pots. Be inspired by seeds and pods to create your own textured and patterned pot. She will show you the process to make these usable pots and various techniques for surface decoration before you have a go. If you would like to have your pot fired she can take it away to finish it with underglaze and post it back to you for a small fee.
Carving Workshop
Join Sara for a workshop where she shows you how to carve your own grounding object from clay. Grounding objects are great for adults and children alike to help them to regain control of their emotions when feeling overwhelmed.
Chorley Inspire Youth Zone
Come and join the team at their activity tent. They formed the Clay Club 12 months ago with the dream of getting soft clay into the hands of children. Take a look at what they have achieved! Have a play yourself and see what clay is all about.
Free taster sessions running throughout each day.
Paint Your Own Duckling
Join our duck painting workshop where creativity takes flight! First, you'll sketch out your ideas using a charming 2D lino-printed duck—your blank canvas for bold colours, quirky patterns, or elegant designs. Once your masterpiece is mapped out, it’s time to bring it to life! Grab a pencil and transfer your vision onto a 3D slipcast duck, then paint it with vibrant acrylics. Whether you're going classic or completely quackers, this hands-on journey from flat to fabulous is full of fun, feathers, and flair!
No need to book first come basis only, max of 9 people per session, £15 per duck. You get to take both duck and lino print away with you on the day.
Surface Decorating Demo
Liz will be demonstrating her surface decoration technique that looks complicated on the finished pieces but is a reasonably easy process. It involves lots of layering with coloured slips, using printing, stencilling, adding textures and mono printing. It’s such a fun process that can be achieved quite easily for all ages and abilities.
You will see her start with a blank terracotta slab, slowly adding different layers of colour and surface decoration, resulting in a highly coloured slab that can be used to create decorative panels, shallow dishes or platters through to vases and abstract vessels. The clay she will be using is terracotta but she will fire it high to create a stunning contrast between the clay body and the brightly coloured slips.
Programme Of Activities
