2026
Event Schedule
VVPF events
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First Pick Friday
November 13, 2026
4:00 - 6:00 PM
$25.00
Exclusive access to see and purchase the work of 15 amazing artists prior to the general public. -
Saturday
November 14, 2026
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
FREE
The Verde Valley Pottery Festival will feature fifteen ceramic artists for a weekend of demonstrations, artist talks, and handmade ceramic objects. -
Sunday
November 15, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
FREE
Join us for day two of the Verde Valley Pottery Festival, and enjoy more live demonstrations, artist talks, and handmade ceramic wares. Kids’ activities happening daily!
Saturday, November 14, 2026
10:00 AM
Festival Opens
First 35 people get a free cup!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Demonstration - Mugs & Mishima | Mike Upp & Jamie Parrish
Join Mike and Jamie as they team up to share their individual approaches to form and surface decoration, combining wheel-thrown mugs with detailed Mishima inlaid designs. This demo highlights how clean functional shapes and precise carving techniques come together to create striking, expressive pottery.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Self-portraits | Katie Lebel
In this engaging project led by Katie Lebel, Mesa Arts Center’s youth clay instructor, children will explore the art of clay self-portraits. Guided step-by-step, young makers will roll, sculpt, and decorate clay to capture their unique personalities in a fun, expressive form.
CLAY FOR KIDS
12:00 PM
New in 2026!
FREE PANEL DISCUSSION - Woodfiring Tradition
D.A. Ranch Woodfire Artists
Located right by the Clay Stomp Mural, this new free event brings together artists from the 2026 D.A. Ranch anagama firing to share their experience with traditional woodfiring. See real results from the kiln fired right here on the property in October, gain insight into the woodfire process, and join in on a live Q&A with the participating artists.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Demonstration - Handbuilt Sculptures | Russell DeHaven & Megan Berry
Join Russell DeHaven and Megan Berry as they collaborate live on a one-of-a-kind handbuilt sculpture. This dynamic demo showcases the fusion of Russell’s geometric slab structures with Megan’s organic pinch and coil techniques, offering a captivating look at how opposing building styles can blend into a seamless, unified form.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Pinch Monsters | Katie Lebel
In this lively project led by Katie Lebel, Mesa Arts Center’s youth clay instructor, children will explore the art of pinch pots by crafting their own playful monsters. Guided step-by-step, young makers will roll, pinch, and detail clay to bring silly, character-filled creatures to life.
CLAY FOR KIDS
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Demonstration - Sgraffito Carving & Decal Techniques | Heather Spontak & Rena Hamilton
Join Heather Spontak and Rena Hamilton as they share their favorite methods for building dynamic ceramic surfaces. This demo explores the contrast between detailed sgraffito carving and crisp underglaze decal techniques, highlighting how layered lines, transfers, and textures can transform functional pottery into richly expressive pieces.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Demonstration - Porcelain & Beyond | Jeff Heeg & Dexter Woods
Join Jeff Heeg and Dexter Woods as they dive into working with porcelain and pushing the boundaries of refined clay bodies. This demo explores practical throwing and altering techniques, offering insights into navigating the delicate nature of porcelain to achieve crisp forms and subtle details.
5:00 PM
Festival Closes - Reopens Sunday, Nov. 15 @ 10:00 AM
D.A.Ranch Tasting room remains open until 6:00 PM
Sunday, November 15, 2026
10:00 AM
Festival Opens
First 35 people get a free cup!
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Demonstration - China Painting & Stencils | Bradley Klem & Tiffany Bailey
Join Bradley Klem and Tiffany Bailey as they showcase their distinct approaches to elaborate surface decoration. This demo explores the precision of stencil application paired with the delicate art of china painting, demonstrating how layering color, pattern, and fine detail can create captivating, multidimensional surfaces on ceramic forms.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pinch Monsters | Katie Lebel
Join Mesa Arts Center youth clay instructor Katie Lebel as kids explore nature-inspired clay building! Young artists will practice fundamental shaping, rolling, and decorating methods to craft their own playful caterpillars and winged butterflies.
CLAY FOR KIDS
12:00 PM
New in 2026!
FREE PANEL DISCUSSION - Woodfiring Tradition
D.A. Ranch Woodfire Artists
Located right by the Clay Stomp Mural, this new free event brings together artists from the 2026 D.A. Ranch anagama firing to share their experience with traditional woodfiring. See real results from the kiln fired right here on the property in October, gain insight into the woodfire process, and join in on a live Q&A with the participating artists.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Demonstration - Closed Form Jars | Don Ridley & Bettina Chow
In this engaging demonstration, Don Ridley and Bettina Chow team up to guide audiences through the process of making closed form vessels. Learn practical tips for trapping air, shaping volume on the wheel, and refining lids to craft balanced, beautifully fitted jars.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Snake Mugs | Katie Lebel
Led by Mesa Arts Center youth clay instructor Katie Lebel, this fun, hands-on session invites young makers to roll and coil clay into playful snake mugs. Kids will learn basic handbuilding techniques as they squish, roll, and wrap slithering snake handles and textures onto their custom ceramic creations.
CLAY FOR KIDS
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Demonstration - Assembled Construction | Andrew “Augusta” Smith, Jason Bohnert & Ben Roti
Close out the festival schedule with Andrew “Augusta” Smith, Jason Bohnert, and Ben Roti as they demonstrate multi-part ceramic assembly live on stage. Watch as three makers share their techniques for joining separate wheel-thrown and handbuilt elements into bold, cohesive structural pieces.
3:00 PM
Festival Closes - See everyone in 2027!
D.A.Ranch Tasting Room remains open until 6:00 PM
Want to Share This Event?
Help spread the word! Print our flyer and hang it up around town (heck, even if you’re not in our neck of the woods). Feel free to share on social media using #vvpotteryfestival
* links to our google drive press folder
Join Us
November 14 - 16, 2025
D.A.Ranch Vineyards
1901 Dancing Apache Rd.
Cornville, AZ 86325
Phone
(520) 400-4522