An exhibition exploring the strong architectural nature of plants and clay and celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Scottish Potters Association has opened at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Caroline Ednie, reviewing the exhibition on behalf of craftscotland, describes the exhibition as 'captivating'.  Read her full review to discover more.

The ‘Clay in Bloom’ exhibition shows ceramic work inspired by the National Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh, Benmore, Logan and Dawyck.  As well as enjoying the pieces and discovering the inspiration behind each one visitors can also find out about the different processes of making and creation from the raw material, through the making and decorating/glazing processes to the fitting.

The exhibition explores the diverse range of contemporary ceramic practice in Scotland today with work by Janet Adam, Val Burns, Jane Butler-Cole, Alice Buttress, Brian Cook Shand, Fiona Duckett, Lorna Fraser, Alan Gaff, Julia Hilton, Anne Lightwood, Rona McNicol , Anne Morrison , Veronica Newman, Susan Nuttgens, Miriam Reid, Philip Revell, Jacqueline Ward and Simon Ward.

The exhibition also has an exciting programme of activities – called Hands On! – Clay in Bloom - aimed at encouraging everyone to find out more about ceramics. Building a huge coil pot, throwing a teapot, building caskets and throwing bowls are just some of the activities that visitors can try out.  Find out more about the exhibition and full details of ‘Hands On!’ in our feature.

The exhibition is on at the Exhibition Hall, Royal Botanics Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh (0131 552 7171) and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.  Admission is free.

After Edinburgh, the exhibition, which is supported by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Craft Pottery Charitable Trust, will tour a number of venues, starting at the Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll.

The Scottish Potters Association is open to any individual or organisation with an interest in ceramics.  For further information visit www.scottishpotters.org