As many of you may be aware but for those who are yet to hear we are excited to announce that we will be taking over the running of Art in Clay Hatfield, a show that is very close to our hearts.

Over the past 20 years we have been proud to be involved as a trade exhibitor and also main sponsors of the show with the Valentine Clays Peers Award, voted each year by the exhibitors for best contribution to the show, and donating clay for the Make & Take Tent and the Throw a Pot Marquee to help to inspire and encourage those visiting to get creative with clay.

Our main focus has always been the continuing resurgence of the ceramics industry and shows such as this are a vital way of bringing contemporary ceramics to the masses. We understand this and the importance of such shows to our customers which is why we aim to safeguard the continuing success of the show.

(L to R) Art in Clay Hatfield Owners: Hannah Ault, Alan Ault, Linda Ault, Previous Art in Clay Owners: Andy McInnes and Di McInnes, Art in Clay Farnham Owners: Anna Miller & Rich Miller

Although we may be a clay manufacturer our staff have the skills needed to take on this challenge and to ensure that the show continues and develops building on the legacy that has been created by Andy and Di McInnes over the past 22 years.

Alan’s daughter Hannah who joined the company two years ago has several years in-house and agency marketing, PR and events experience, having worked for top international brands including Prada, the Arcadia Group and most recently as PR and Marketing Manager for Emma Bridgewater. She helped to set up Stoke-on-Trent’s first literary festival, ran large local ceramic events and helped to manage many award evenings.

We are excited to be taking over Art in Clay Hatfield as it moves into its 23rd year with Hannah and the Valentine Clays team looking forward to managing our first show on the 18th, 19th & 20th August 2017. To ensure a smooth transition we are pleased to announce that Andy and Di have agreed to continue their support in their new role as Advisory Show Directors. This role will include managing the selection process for the next two years and support during the show.

Andy McInnes, commented: “We’ve had a fantastic working relationship with Valentine Clays for coming on 20 years and we’re sure they are the people to take Art in Clay Hatfield to the next level (and happy to support them in any way to achieve this).”

Alan Ault, Managing Director of Valentine Clays, said: “This is an exciting time for us and we are really looking forward to running a ceramics show that we feel will make a great addition to our current expansion plans too.”

Hannah Ault, Show Director of Art in Clay and Sales & Marketing Director at Valentine Clays, commented: “Organisation has already started for next year’s show and we have already received lots of exhibitor application forms which is great to see. We are also in constant discussions with Anna and Richard Miller, who are the new owners of Art in Clay Farnham, and hope to work together as much as possible to ensure the continued success of both shows.”

For further details on Art in Clay visit www.artinclay.co.uk

If you have an enquiry about the show contact Hannah Ault at hannah@artinclay.co.uk

If you would like to join the exhibitor mailing list to receive further information about the selection process please contact Andy McInnes at andymcinnes1@yahoo.co.uk

To receive further news and admission offers from Art in Clay sign up to our mailing list on the Art in Clay homepage