The Fresh exhibition celebrates and promotes emerging talent in contemporary ceramics in the UK and Ireland. It explores the diverse ideas and trends in clay and ceramics practice. Shown as part of the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent, Fresh provides a unique platform for early-career artists to inspire and challenge as part of the UK’s largest contemporary ceramics event. It will bring opportunities for networking and benefits from exhibiting alongside established artists.

We invite all eligible artists to submit a proposal to present new, existing work for consideration by a professional selection panel. Applying to Fresh is free of charge. Twenty-five exhibitors will be selected by a panel of artists, curators and educators alongside a youth panel. Fresh will form an important part of the 2025 British Ceramics Biennial programme of exhibitions, projects and engagement and will be seen by thousands of visitors over the six weeks of the Biennial.

From the twenty-five selected artists, four Fresh Talent Prizes will be given to extraordinary emerging talent exhibiting in Fresh during the Biennial. The Fresh Talent Prizes include a range of unique residency opportunities that will take place through partnerships with the University of Staffordshire, Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center and Grymsdyke Farm.

What are the ambitions of Fresh?

• To celebrate and provide profile to early-career artists from different types of clay or ceramics practice.
• To platform the variety of learning and development experiences informing contemporary practice.
• To be diverse and inclusive, reflecting the richness of ceramics practice.

Who is Fresh for?

Fresh is looking for artists at a launch moment in their practice. This exhibition platforms emerging talent, representing artists from a variety of backgrounds. From self-taught artists to recent graduates and community workshop makers, Fresh celebrates artistic discovery and champions the courage of new beginnings.