ceramics Archives

What to expect

ArtSlam 2025 will feature rounds where artists create their work live and compete for audience votes. Expect DJs, a bar and a night full of creativity and energy!

This is a paid opportunity for all participating artists. Plus it’s a fantastic platform to engage with the community, gain exposure, and celebrate the arts in a fun and competitive environment.

We’ll be using the exciting space of Astley Place, which is in the process of development by Capital & Centric. Expect a roof, flat floor and some walls, whilst not being a fully enclosed room.

How will we decide

If we have more artists interested in taking part than we are able to have along, Appetite, ArtsKeele, and Newcastle BID will shortlist based on the information provided. We’ll be thinking about:

Choosing a diverse range of artists

Making sure there will be variety in what the audience will be able to watch being made

Providing a quality offer in terms of work created

Celebrate A Canalside Arcana – Stoke-on-Trent’s newest art trail

Come and join us as we celebrate the launch of a new public art trail along the canal between Etruria and Hanley Park.

Appetite and Canal & River Trust asked artist Anna Francis to create a permanent work of art along the canal based on how the community in Etruria feel about where they live. For months the community has been giving us their thoughts and getting involved and now we’re thrilled to reveal the final piece: A Canalside Arcana.

A Canalside Arcana is a series of eight ceramic plaques lining the canal path from Etruria to Hanley Park that celebrate the nature that grows there. A pack of beautiful hand-drawn cards, filled with fascinating details of the flora and fauna, myth and magic that you might encounter along the trail has also been created as a guide.

Our free celebration event will give you the opportunity to hear from Anna as she describes the project and how feedback from the local community went in to creating the artworks. You can even take a guided walk along the trail with Anna herself!

Event Programme

Self-guided walks

Pick up a map and pack of arcana cards throughout the day from volunteers at either Hanley Park or Etruria. Use the cards to identify what’s shown on the plaques and pick up a keepsake pin badge at the other end.

Guided walks

11am: Introductory talk by Anna at Etruria canalside

11.30am: Etruria to Hanley Park. Starts from the event area around Etruria Industrial Museum.

1.30pm: Hanley Park to Etruria. Meet at 1.15pm in lower Hanley Park by the footbridge over the canal.

Walks are expected to take approximately 45 minutes. Please note that this is not a circular walk. Places are limited and must be booked via Eventbrite or call Appetite office on 01782 381 373.

See and Do

Throughout the day, 11am – 2pm:

Etruria industrial Museum will be open throughout the day
Clay activities inside the museum with floral ceramic artist Rita Floyd, and in Hanley Park with Alice Thatcher
Drop in to a creative workshop aboard the Ikon Gallery Slow Boat with GRAIN, moored at Etruria
Will you see The Frog hopping along the trail or making shapes around the band stand?
Free warm drinks available in Hanley Park and at Etruria Industrial Museum

Live Music from Bombay Baja Brass Band

11am – 11.15am: Etruria
12.30pm – 1.15pm: Hanley Par

Bombay Baja Brass Band

Access Information

Disabled parking can be found at both the north and south car parks in Hanley Park although spaces are limited. There is also disabled parking at Etruria Industrial Museum but please be aware that there is no wheelchair access to the canal path. Access here is via a stepped bridge over the canal. Alternatively you can park around Castlefield St, and follow the footpath along Lower Bedford St to bring you out at the museum.

The canal towpath is mainly flat although parts of the route are cobbled including a set of steps at the lock and at the bridge in Hanley Park.

Please note: Parts of the canal path may be slippery depending on weather conditions so do wear appropriate footwear and take caution along the route.

There is an alternative path for wheelchair users to use that will avoid the steps at the lock and re-joins the canal path at the access road off Castlefield Street (see pictures below).

The pathway leads from the canal path around to the bandstand in Hanley Park to avoid the steps at the bridge (see pictures below).