Join us to make some very special ceramic tiles in a relaxing and fun practical workshop at the BCB Studio.

Playscape Open is your chance to be part of the creation of a new interactive play structure in Stoke town called Playscape. You will help to create tiles that will become part of a commission that will be shown in the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial. Squash, scrape and smooth the tiles, and then use coloured slips (paint made from clay) to decorate them. Ceramic artist Sarah Fraser will lead the workshop. Painter Joyce Iwazsko will be showing how Spode patterns have inspired her artistic practice and will be decorating tiles too.

Playscape Open is for:

• People looking for a free, hands-on clay activity   
• People wanting to contribute to an exciting new interactive play installation at Spode Works 
• People wanting to learn more about the patterns on Spode plates 
• Anyone interested in clay, tile-making and relaxing through making  

About Playscape

Playscape is an innovative collaborative project commissioned by British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) investigating the possibilities for using waste materials to create a play environment for children in the centre of Stoke Town. 

The project draws on an ancient and sustainable building method called ‘rammed earth’, which uses a clay-rich blend of earth materials to construct walls and building elements without the need for firing. The project connects with the clay earth beneath Stoke-on-Trent and reflects on how it shaped the city and its people, as the city became the heart of industrial ceramic production in the UK. This rich heritage is highlighted by the location of Playscape, on the historic Spode Works factory site. We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to help shape the elements of Playscape.

About the BCB Studio

The BCB Studio is based on the historic Spode Works factory site and provides the community with clay facilities in Stoke-on-Trent. It is an inclusive and welcoming space, a place to create, meet others, develop ideas, explore ceramics processes, and refine making skills.

Where and when

BCB Studio, 118 & 124 Church Street, ST4 1BU  

Saturday 28 June 2025

10-12pm or 1pm-3pm

Booking

Book your free place for Playscape Open here on this page. If you are unable to attend, please do contact us as there are a limited number of spaces available.  

Children are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult.  

Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with future events and opportunities with BCB.

Access

• The BCB Studio has flat access via lift (115 cm x 93 cm, max load 400kg)
• There is an  accessible toilet
• We have a portable Loop available, please email ahead of the event if you have need of this system

If we can do anything further to support your participation in the event, please contact info@britishceramicsbiennial.com. We are happy to discuss what we can put in place for you.

What’s around

Looking for somewhere to eat lunch while you’re in Stoke? See our Things to do in Stoke-on-Trent page for ideas.

Support

Playscape is commissioned by British Ceramics Biennial (BCB). It is a collaboration between BCB Associate Artist Sarah Fraser, Tuckey Design Studio, rammed earth construction specialist Sami Akkach, Woodcast Designs and University of Staffordshire Architecture students.

The Playscape Pilot build was funded by the High Street Accelerator (HSA) Project with support from the Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The continuation of Playscape has funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is managed by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council.