Gumbo ClayFest 2023

GUMBO CLAYFEST 2023

The Art Studio, Inc. (TASI) will host Gumbo Clayfest, a celebration of ceramic arts, July 6-8 at its facility, located at 720 Franklin St in downtown Beaumont. The ClayFest is a public event involving demonstrations and workshops for those interested in making ceramics, admiring completed works, or just interested in watching the fascinating process.

Event Website

Gumbo ClayFest will feature nine nationally-recognized ceramists who will demonstrate the different techniques for which they are known.

“Clay is one of the oldest arts there is,” said Greg Busceme, TASI’s Executive Director. “It’s an art that is 20,000 years old. From cooking pots to drinking vessels to sculptures, it’s one of the first things human beings did once they harnessed fire and figured out how clay reacted with it. It was one of the things that made us human.”

Gumbo ClayFest kicks off with an opening reception on First Thursday, July 6, 5-8pm with complimentary homemade gumbo provided by supporters of The Art Studio. Attendees will have a chance to meet and talk to the visiting artists. The festivities continue all day Friday and Saturday when the public is invited to sit in the Studio as the artists continue working on their projects.

“This festival is all about the clay and the people who love it. Highly knowledgeable ceramists from across the nation will descend on Southeast Texas and will share their ideas and special techniques to participants along with clay activities, panel discussions, presentations, and parties! Great for anyone who has an interest in clay and for artists from other disciplines. For any young or beginning aspirant it is a must do! De rigueur! You will advance your knowledge years ahead of where you are! Some of these artists I have known for many years and others are more recent friends; all are eager to come to our community and I hope hope hope you want to meet them too. It will mean a lot to me to have everyone come meet and learn from these generous ceramists and friends.”

Activities during the three-day event will include live demonstrations by the artists working on projects in the clay studio, the construction and firing of kilns, an exhibition of unique artwork in the gallery, local food trucks such as Cracklin’ Kings and BIG Empanadas on site to serve food, presentations of the featured artists’ past works and experience in the clay world, and plenty of opportunities to learn first-hand and ask questions about ceramics from the masters.