Once upon a time a potter joined the Business of Art Center (now the Manitou Art Center) fresh out of college... From an offhand remark to the director-- "wouldn't it be cool to hold a pottery olympics"-- Clayfest was born. Our Potters' games hadn't  been seen in 16 years and we changed that in 2022 with a triumphant return. This year's 'fest will happen on Saturday September 27th. Prizes will be given AND FUN WILL BE HAD...

We are located in Manitou Springs, Colorado and affiliated with the Manitou Art Center. Our games and teaching event will be held on September 27th and 28th at the Soda Springs Pavilion here in Manitou Springs

The Potters Games will be held Saturday with a free teaching event Sunday-- 10am-5pm both days. 

CLAYFEST 2025 SCHEDULE

· 9:00a-10:00a – PARTICIPANT SIGN UP

· 10:00a-10:45a – FASTEST BUCKET 

o Professional: 8 1-lb balls, 15-minute time limit

o Amateur: 4 1-lb balls, 10-minute time limit

· 10:45a-11:30a – MATCHED SET OF 4 POTS 

o Professional: 10-lb ball, thrown off the hump, 10-minute time limit

o Amateur: 4 2-lb balls of clay, 15-minute time limit

· 11:30a-12:00p – ASTHETIC THROW

o Professional: 10-minute time limit (judged by crowd response)

o Amateur: 10-minute time limit (judged by crowd response)

· 12:00p-1:00p –LUNCH

· 1:00p-1:30p – PARTNERS HANDLE PULL 

(15-minute time limit) ****No reattaching pieces, and clay cannot touch the ground!!

· 1:30p-2:15p– RELAY TEAMS COMPETITION (teams of 4)

Officials pick 2 amateurs and 2 pros for each team. Amateurs throw 2” diameter x 4” height, pros throw 2” diameter x 6” height. Each team member must go through rotation twice; each potter must finish successfully before the next team member is allowed to take over the wheel for their attempt. Each ball will be 1 lb.

· 2:15p-3:00p – BLIND FOLDED THROWING

o Professional: 5-minute time limit

o Amateurs: 10-minute time limit

· 3:00p-3:30p– TANDEM THROWING Judges’ choice 

o team of 2, 15-minute limit (judged by crowd response)

· 3:30p-4:00p – LARGEST POT (with 5-lbs of clay) Height x Width at the top!

o Professional: 10-minute time limit

o Amateur: 10-minute time limit

· 4:00p-4:30p – NO HANDED THROWING (judged by crowd response)

·  4:30p-finished: Clean up then grand prize raffle!!

Manitou Art Center

Amaco

Giffin Grip

Rocky Mountain Clay

Stone Leaf Pottery

Garrity Tools

GR Forms

Mayco

The Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage Initiative

This year we're only doing one heat per event! This means that you should DEFINITELY get there early to sign up! We'll have an amateur category, also known as a beginner category. We will also have our 'professional' category but for clarification this is also known as an experienced or advanced category. Challenge yourself this year, especially if you've competed as an amateur in the past!