In the high desert town of Silver City, creativity rises from the ground up—literally. Once a mining hub, now a thriving artist enclave, Silver City plays host each summer to a celebration that draws ceramicists, sculptors, and curious minds from across the Southwest and beyond. The Silver City CLAY Festival, now in its 12th year, returns from July 14–20, 2025, with a dynamic mix of exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and markets—all centered around the ancient yet ever-evolving medium of clay.

“Clay connects us—to the earth, to tradition, to each other.”

Credit: Clay Festival

Clay, Community & Culture

The festival isn’t just an art event—it’s a cultural gathering. From master potters and educators to young students and travelers, the CLAY Festival offers space for everyone to engage, create, and connect.

Over the course of seven days, Silver City transforms into a clay-lover’s paradise. Historic buildings become pop-up studios, galleries host innovative ceramic exhibits, and the streets buzz with the energy of hands shaping earth into beauty.

“To mold clay is to shape memory. To fire it is to make it last forever.”

Credit: Clay Festival

Festival Highlights

• Workshops for All Levels

From wheel-throwing and hand-building to raku firing and tile making, participants learn from nationally acclaimed instructors in intimate, hands-on settings.

• CLAY Market

A vibrant open-air marketplace featuring locally and regionally crafted ceramics, pottery, sculpture, and wearable clay art.

• Gallery Exhibitions

Featuring works that span Indigenous, contemporary, and experimental ceramic art—many rooted in the Mimbres and Pueblo traditions of the region.

• Talks & Lectures

Topics range from ancient pottery techniques to clay’s role in architecture, storytelling, and sustainability.

• Family Activities

Clay play spaces, storytelling, and kid-friendly workshops welcome families and spark the next generation of makers.

Event Details

Dates: July 14–20, 2025

Location: Various venues across Silver City, NM

Website: clayfestival.com

Festival Schedule: clayfestival.com/schedule

Rooted in Place

Silver City’s connection to clay runs deep. The area’s Indigenous Mimbres culture is world-renowned for its elegant black-on-white pottery, while its mineral-rich soil continues to inspire artists today.

Festival venues are spread throughout Silver City, including downtown galleries, local studios, Western New Mexico University, and scenic outdoor spaces that reflect the town’s creative spirit and geological beauty.

Credit: Clay Festival

More Than a Festival

When you’re not elbow-deep in slip or browsing the artisan market, Silver City offers plenty to explore:

• Stroll through historic downtown, where murals and galleries line the adobe streets.
• Visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings, just a scenic drive away.
• Hike the Continental Divide Trail, or unwind at a local café with mountain views.

In a world of fast-paced digital life, the CLAY Festival invites us to slow down, touch the earth, and create something meaningful. Whether you come to shape, study, or simply be inspired, Silver City’s clay celebration promises to leave a lasting impression—on your hands and your heart.