ACAVA Spode Works

Back in the @acavaspodeworks studio.

22.05.2026 WASTE 🥀

WASTE   ~ Debut solo exhibition. 22nd May 6pm. WASTE is the outcome, and reflection, of a year long fellowship of research and experimentation, with @theportlandinnprojectcic . Alongside working on the street, delivering workshops and projects with the young people living in the area and the PIP team, I spent time researching and experimenting with my own practice. So what have I been up to… Multiple workshops with @sustainabledarkroom , founded by Edd Carr and Hannah Fletcher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills. Attended Oxford Photo Symposium: Truth & Photography. Listened and chatted to artists, researchers and photographers, discussing truth in photography, AI, documentation and the ways we can stretch our methods and our ‘madness’. Spent more time building foraging knowledge with @wildfooduk - always a pleasure. Had the joy of being able to share and learn with the most wonderful mentors @catherinedineleyphotography @rebeccamariadavies - thank you. This opportunity has given me the ability to carve time out for my own practice and I am extremely grateful. And oh my, don’t we know how hard it is to focus on creating work to put out into the world .. whilst balancing multiple jobs.. care responsibilities and the general messiness of life and the evils of the world.. It’s not for the faint hearted❣️ Thank you to everyone at The Portland Inn Project, for your kindness, support and this amazing opportunity. WASTE will include different print works, analogue photography, a zine to get your hands on, and lots of experimentation. Private View > Friday 22nd may, 6pm-9pm.  With the absolute boss @calmurcalmurcal spinnin some tunes. The exhibition will also be open for viewing on the 23rd and 24th May. Please email or message me ([email protected]) to arrange a viewing on the Saturday or Sunday. Nervous, but excited! See you there 🥀

In Stoke, our group has been working on an exciting project for the past couple of weeks! Together with @_sarah_fraser and @acavaspodeworks , we’ve been making tableware for our upcoming summer exhibition taking place during Refugee Week in June! In this first session, Sarah shared the basics of pottery, with some of us having a go at throwing on the wheel. The group decorated plates, choosing words like Awad (a gift), Free and Hope 🤍 Excited to share some of the plates, mugs and bowls that we made in the next session…

Based in Staffordshire, Cheshire or Shropshire? Apply now for @artskeele Three Counties Open Art Exhibition. One selected artist will receive the ACAVA residency prize at Spode Works Studios, including a studio and time to develop new or ongoing work within an artist community. Open to artists aged 16+, with no set theme. Work across painting, sculpture, photography, installation and performance can be submitted. Free to apply – deadline: 26 May, 11.59pm. Learn more about the residency: acava.org/counties26

This was a scary piece to produce, wanted to do a semi-abstract black on black stencil for a while. Great having so much room to experiment with at @acavaspodeworks Really needs to be viewed up close and in person. 😁

Impromptu ready made sculpture set up today after coming across 3 shopping trolleys whilst working at @acavaspodeworks I don’t think any rational description is needed beyond the fact I was in the mood for making art and these materials presented themselves to me. Art for Arts Sake. 🙏

More incredible artists joining the Palestine Art Auction ! We have a whopping total of 40 artworks up for bidding! 🇵🇸✨ Here is some last minute additions to the incredible collection which is available to bid on — all in support of an urgent and vital cause. 🗓 FRIDAY 27th MARCH 🕠 5:30pm till late 🔨 Bidding begins at 6:30pm Featuring works by: Vivienne Ross (@vivrossceramics ) Rose Snead (@rosesnead_art ) Ian Mood (@ianmood ) Lily Mood Mark Facey (@mark_facey_ ) Katie Rayson (@katieraysonart ) Phillip Hardacker (@philhardacker1954 ) Caitlin Kelly (@caitlinkelly.art ) Roger Chadderton Gabriel Cull Jessica Tuck Analca Women’s Collective Belfast – Olive Prints Clay College – Rachel Jeffries @claycollegestoke Callum Forbes @cpf_ceramics Clare Come through, support, and take home something meaningful while contributing families facing stage 5 famine on Gaza Strip. #PalestineFundraiser #ArtAuction #ArtistsForPalestine #multimedia

We’re excited to welcome Jon Paul Green to @acavaspodeworks for a three-month residency. @jonpauldoesstuff is a Stoke-on-Trent–based multidisciplinary artist working with text, installation, collage and performance. During his residency, he’ll be developing new large-scale works and experimenting with materials and formats – we look forward to sharing what emerges from his residency over the next few months ✨ #ArtistResidency #StokeOnTrent #ContemporaryArt #StudioPractice #ACAVA

Opening this week 🔥 Anarchy Is Her Birthright 20 Feb – 1 Mar 2026 Preview: Fri 20 Feb, 5.30-7.30pm At @acavaspodeworks in Stoke-on-Trent Curated by April Star Davis, this group exhibition brings together women and non-binary artists working across disciplines. The exhibition explores resistance, care, survival and feminist refusal, shaped by lived experience and place. Join us for the preview this Friday 📍 Spode Works Studios Elenora Street Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1QQ All welcome 🖼️ Image by Izzy Davis #ExhibitionOpening #StokeOnTrent #ContemporaryArt #WomenArtists #NonBinaryArtists @star_artactivist_davis1969

“Anarchy Is Her Birthright” – A Women’s & Nonbinary Art Exhibition This exhibition is part of the ACAVA Studios Residency in Stoke-on-Trent, curated by April Star Davis @star_artactivist_davis1969 paying homage to the legendary Gee Vaucher (Crass/Dial House). The show celebrates feminist rage, punk spirit, and creative survival. Location: ACAVA Studios, Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1QQ UK Opening: PV 20/02/26 17:30-19:30

A few pics from a little interview I did with @acavaarts Looking forward to embarking on my 3 month residency at @acavaspodeworks after winning the studio prize at @artskeele Three Counties Exhibition. Link to interview in bio.