Bayou City Clay Crawl

FAQs for Artists

What is the Bayou City Clay Crawl?

The Bayou City Clay Crawl (BCCC) is a wonderful opportunity for ClayHouston members to connect with the public and sell their ceramic works, while serving as ClayHouston’s primary fundraising event. ClayHouston uses the funds raised from this event to offer our members programs, workshops, symposia, members’ exhibitions, regional exhibitions, the ClayHouston Award for Texas BIPOC Ceramic Artists, outreach initiatives, and more.

In the past, ClayHouston invited the Houston-area community into the studio spaces of participating members to meet these ceramic artists, watch demos, and enjoy an immersive experience into the clay world. At each studio space, a wide variety of work was available for purchase, and the public was provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity to tour the studios.

This year, 2024,  we have changed the format in the hope to increase public attendance and generate more selling opportunities for our participating  ClayHouston members.  The event will be held on Saturday December 7, 2024 in one location, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.  

What are the important times and dates and event details?

Friday, October 25, 2004 – Deadline to register for the event

Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Day of the event

  • 10:00 am to 11:00 am - Participating artists set up 

  • 11:00 am - Event opens to the public

  • 11:30 am - Demo 1 (TBD)

  • 1:00 pm - Demo 2 (TBD)

  • 2:30 pm - Demo 3 (TBD)

  • 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Tear down

  • 5:00 pm

Purchase Incentive Program - Customers will receive one drawing card for each piece they purchase from one of our members which will be entered into a drawing for prizes such as gift cards and other items.  There will be 5 drawings.  Each drawing will be done at the beginning of the hour starting at noon.  The card will include the customer’s name, cell number so that they can be reached, the artist’s name, and the purchase price.

A prize will be given to the artist who sells the most pieces and the artist who has the most sales.  The winners will be announced at 5:00 pm, after the tear down.

What are the requirements to participate?

  1. Participants must have an active ClayHouston membership.

  2. Participants must pay a pre-registration fee of $25.

  3. Participants must submit 3-5 photos of their work for marketing purposes. More details will be shared after your  registration.

  4. Participants must agree to donating 25% of their total sales (minus the registration fee) after the event has concluded.  Donations can be accepted at the event or by clicking here.  Donations should be sent to ClayHouston no later than 5 days after the date of the event. If participants’ total sales do not exceed $100 on the day of the event, then they are not expected to donate a percentage of their sales.

What are the benefits of going from 10 locations to one location?

  • Houston Center for Contemporary Craft offers a central location with plenty of nearby parking.

  • In the past, we relied on each location to help with marketing the BCCC.  With a single location, it is easier, less expensive, and more effective to promote every participating artist.

  • The event is being held on the same day that HCCC has their established Hands-On Houston event.

  • The event also coincides with the outdoors Glassell School of Art exhibit, Ceramics in the Environment, which will draw exhibiting artists, supporters, and students.

  • Glassell School of Art’s Student Sale will be held on the same weekend at its campus nearby.  Glassell being so close to HCCC, we believe we can draw from the marketing efforts of Glassell and in turn send our patrons to the Student Sale.

  • The Bayou City Clay Crawl is family-friendly, free to the public, and visitors can start at any location. Participating studios feature resident and guest artists - all of whom are ClayHouston members.

Is the Bayou City Clay Crawl the same as a Pop-Up Market?

This is not a pop-up market. ClayHouston often promotes a Members’ Pop-Up Market in the Spring. The Bayou City Clay Crawl is a space where artists showcase and sell their functional (no matter the quantity or size) and/or sculptural work. We have no restrictions on what work can be showcased and every year, there is a wide range of work being sold. However, space constraints may be taken into consideration, depending on the number of participants.

What support does ClayHouston provide for the event?

ClayHouston will provide the following to each member artist:

  • Bottled water during setup.

  • Printed Postcards/Flyers to all participating artists. Additional cards can be printed by participants using the online files.

  • 3, 8”x11” posters that they can post at their studio or other public location such as their favorite coffee shops/local businesses/etc .

  • Customer drawing cards at the event.

ClayHouston will provide additional marketing for the members and the event:

  • Promotion of each individual artist on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Promotion of the event on other advertising outlets, if approved by these outlets.

  • Public placement of posters in addition to those posted by the members.

  • Advertising in local publications and websites, if approved by these publications and websites.

What are the special requirements for all participating artists?

  • You may want to consider a range of inventory with a range of prices.  Holiday items will likely also be popular since the event is right after Thanksgiving, and before the Winter Holidays.

  • We recommend that you bring a cart, dolly, and/or hand truck for easy loading and unloading. Each artist is responsible for making arrangements for help unloading, unpacking, setting up, and cleaning the space they will share.

  • Please note that this is an outdoor event. You are required to provide your own tent, display table, chair(s), tablecloth, and any other display items you may want (such as shelving, signage, etc.). Please also remember to bring your own supplies (such as pens, paper, tape, etc.) and water/snacks. If you are looking for display ideas, local markets or Pinterest have great inspiration for do-it-yourself displays on a budget! 

  • Boxes and/or bags and packing materials depending on your inventory for your customers to safely take their pieces home.

  • You are responsible for your own food, beverages, sunblock, bug spray, or anything else you may need on the day of the event.

  • Please remember to be a good neighbor and to pick up after yourself when the day is over.

  • It would be best to accept credit card payments, as well as cash. Apps like Venmo and Cash App are inexpensive and work with today's smartphones. Most artists use either Square or PayPal. Artists are responsible for making their own sales. If you are accepting cash it is a good idea to bring some small bills to provide customers with change.  Please note, WiFi may not be available and you may have to use your phone’s data services to complete these transactions.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

If you have any further questions regarding the Bayou City Clay Crawl, contact us at bccc@clayhouston.org. We look forward to hearing from you!