Ceramic Collection, Aberystwyth University

The Aberystwyth University Ceramic Collection & Archive is one of Britain's most significant collections of British and international non-industrial ceramics. Housing over 2,000 pieces spanning centuries and continents.

British studio pottery

The university’s holds a renowned collection of studio pottery from the 1920s to the 1940s, a period that saw a flourishing of artistic expression in British ceramics. The remarkable array of works on display include pieces by Bernard Leach, William Staite Murray and Lucie Rie.

A ‘potted’ history

In the Ceramic Gallery’s permanent collection, you’ll find everything from archaeological finds to exquisite 19th-century slipware alongside iconic pieces of Welsh porcelain from Nantgarw and Swansea. The Ceramic Archive also collects physical documents and recordings made through audio, visual and digital media relating to ceramic artists.

Contemporary ceramics

While the permanent displays offers a chance to delve into the history of ceramics, the front gallery stages a variety of temporary exhibitions and touring shows by contemporary British and international ceramicists, ensuring a fresh perspective on the art form. The university campus also hosts the International Ceramics Festival every year.

In need of even more culture? Other attractions in Aberystwyth include the National Library of Wales and the Ceredigion Museum.