FAQs

What is the Bayou City Clay Crawl?

The Bayou City Clay Crawl (BCCC) is ClayHouston’s primary fundraiser. 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.

With the funds from previous BCCC events, ClayHouston has offered the following symposiums:

• Building Narratives: Mythology & Poetry in Clay featuring artists Lauren Gallaspy & Virgil Ortiz (2017)

• Beyond the Surface: Identity Through Clay featuring artists Adam Field and Jennifer Ling Datchuk (2018)

• Masterclass with Alberto Bustos (2018)

• Clay Bodies featuring artists Thaddeus Erdahl and Lorna Meaden (2019)

During this annual event, ClayHouston invites the public into the studio spaces of members to talk to Houston’s ceramic artists, see some demos, and enjoy an immersive experience into the clay world. At each studio space, a wide variety of work is available for purchase, providing the public with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to tour studios and discover pieces created by ClayHouston member artists. Usually, this event is held in the Winter, just in time for holiday shopping.

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.

What are the requirements to participate?

There are two requirements to participate:

• Participants must have an active ClayHouston membership

• Participants must agree to donating 25% of their sales (minus the registration fee) after the event, which can be done by clicking here. The donation should be sent to ClayHouston no later than 5 days after the date of the event.

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, as some studios offer more space than others.

How is the Bayou City Clay Crawl organized?

The Bayou City Clay Crawl is an event during which artists open their studio doors to the public to show where they work and sell their art. Studios are located around the Houston area and ClayHouston provides a map for the public.

Studios are clean and not in operation on the day of the event. Because some artists don't have dedicated studios, the participating studios kindly host guest artists. ClayHouston matches studio hosts and guests, as best we can, based on preferences of work and location. Once the matching is complete, we connect the hosts and the guests to discuss space. ClayHouston doesn't interfere with the space discussion, but can help if needed. Most hosts have participated in the crawl before, some several times, so they feel comfortable helping newcomers. Each artist is responsible to bring their own table and responsible for their own sales.

What support does ClayHouston provide for the event?

ClayHouston will provide the following to each hosting studio and/or artist:

• A stipend for water to each hosting studio

• Signage to be placed at hosting studios

• Postcards to all hosts and participating artists (printed and online versions)

• Flyers to all participating artists (printed and online versions)

• Promotion of each individual artist on Facebook and Instagram

• Promotion of the event on other advertising outlets, if possible (such as radio, television, etc.)

Are there any recommendations for Artists and Studio Hosts?

Here is some information to help you prepare for the BCCC:

• Communicate with your host as soon as you receive their information to discuss available booth space, if tents are necessary, parking, bathroom facilities, wifi (for sales), etc.

• We recommend that you bring a cart, dolly, 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.

• You are required to provide your own tent (your host will advise if needed), display table, tablecloth, and any other display items you may want. If you are looking for display ideas, local markets or Pinterest have great inspiration for do-it-yourself displays on a budget! The number of spaces allowed at the host studio will vary by location. Please keep your work confined within your allotted space.

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

• The event is open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please plan for additional time to assemble beforehand and clean up your area afterward. You should plan to be there all day, however, you may also arrange to share table responsibilities with a fellow artist who is located at the same host studio.

• 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.

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!