Pottery comes alive in Val-David
Published on June 18, 2026 • Featured Events
There's a distinctive scent that lingers in the air as you wander through the grounds of 1001 Pots on a summer afternoon. Warm clay, the Laurentian forest and tea quietly steeping somewhere in a garden. People come for the pottery, of course, but they leave with something more: a desire to shape clay with their own hands, to feel the earth, to listen to music beneath the trees. From July 10 to August 14, 2026, Canada's largest ceramics gathering offers three experiences that are reason enough to make the trip to the heart of the Laurentians.
1001 Pots
When firing becomes a performance
Jean-François Bourlard and Valérie Blaize don't make quiet pottery. These two French artists are coming to 1001 Pots as artists-in-residence to showcase their explosive Raku Punk technique, in which ceramic pieces are fired in piles before being splashed with glaze while still engulfed in flames, splattering, overflowing and crackling. The result is as much a live performance as it is a finished work of art. Their ceramics emerge marked by dramatic runs, textures and peeling surfaces, born from the controlled chaos of a kiln pushed to its limits. Watching these pieces come to life is a reminder that ceramics can be raw, vibrant and almost unruly. Curious visitors can follow this fiery creative journey on the Raku Punk exhibition page, where the two artists reveal the process behind their work.
Get your hands dirty
Watching is one thing. Trying it yourself is even better. All summer long, Galerie Gaétan Beaudin transforms into an open studio, offering ceramics courses to suit every level. Choose from a one-day intensive introduction to wheel throwing, an eight-class session for those looking to develop their skills or an immersive weekend retreat for anyone ready to completely unplug. Experienced instructors guide every step of the process, from a simple lump of clay to a bowl formed by your palms and fingertips. No experience is required—just a little curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty. And taking home a piece you've crafted yourself? That's the kind of souvenir that makes a summer unforgettable! Book today.
Music in the stone garden
As the sun begins to set, the Silica Gardens take on a whole new atmosphere. Built from reclaimed ceramic fragments, this unique stone-and-clay setting becomes the stage for a series of intimate evening concerts performed among sculptural walls of stone and terracotta. On Fridays and select Thursdays throughout the season, local musicians perform beneath the trees, filling the garden with everything from Baroque vocals and Eastern European melodies to performances by duos that have called the region home for more than twenty years. The atmosphere is intimate, unexpected and made all the more memorable by the natural acoustics of the garden. Visit Musiques d'Amytis to explore the concert lineup and make a reservation. It's the perfect way to end a day immersed in the world of clay: letting the music carry you away with a still-warm bowl of tea in your hands.
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