Twenty artists are coming together this June to showcase their work and connect with the public. Pottery tours are beloved traditions in Minnesota, Galena, and other places around the country, so founder Amy Song was inspired to organize a tour closer to Chicago. “There are so many talented creators in this area; it is overdue for us to have an event locally that celebrates clay and puts us on the map in our own right.”
The tour is self-guided and has stops at

Cory McCrory’s home studio in Sandwich
The gallery connected to the artist lofts in Aurora where Jonathan Pacheco lives

Benjamin Buchenot’s home and studio in Villa Park

Susan Messer McBride’s studio in the North Center neighborhood in Chicago

At each stop, there are 3-5 invited potters to meet and chat with. There is an amazing variety in what can be accomplished with clay, ranging from color to form to decoration. The list of artists was curated to celebrate this range. As the tour establishes roots, the number of stops and artists will expand to include more artists. Guests will find a variety of functional and decorative ceramics available for purchase, including wood-fired ceramics, earthenware, gas-fired stoneware, porcelain, and paper clay.
Handmade objects bring joy to the every day. A mug that is comfortable to hold, a vase filled with spring tulips from the garden, or a platter that serves up dinner—potters are excited to bring art into the small moments. Do a little homework and watch the Great Pottery Throwdown, grab your favorite road trip friends, and plan a weekend connecting with the makers bringing handmade and local pottery to your home!

The tour will run June 11th-12th, from 10am-4pm at each of the stops. Online demonstrations will happen the week leading up to the tour, and some work will be available for purchase online during the tour as well.

Visit https://www.northernilpotterytour.com for more information. Follow @northernilpotterytour on Instagram and Northern Illinois Pottery Tour on Facebook. Questions? northernilpotterytour@gmail.com