Pottery & Ceramics in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has one of the oldest and deepest pottery traditions in the United States. The Pennsylvania Dutch heritage of redware and slipware pottery dates back to the 18th century, with Bucks County and Lancaster County at the heart of that tradition. The PA Guild of Craftsmen, established in 1944 and headquartered in Lancaster, runs juried fine craft fairs featuring ceramics at Foundry 48 in Lititz and the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show is one of the premier fine craft exhibitions in the country, drawing approximately 195 artists to the Pennsylvania Convention Center each November. Pittsburgh's maker community adds its own contemporary ceramic voice through Handmade Arcade and A Fair in the Park at Mellon Park in Shadyside.
Top Pottery & Ceramics Events in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show — Pennsylvania Convention Center, November; ~195 artists; ceramics is one of the flagship categories
- PA Guild of Craftsmen Summer Fine Craft Fair — Foundry 48, Lititz, Lancaster County; June; juried show with strong pottery representation
- PA Guild of Craftsmen Fall Fine Craft Fair — Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks; fall (October 24–25 in 2026); ceramics among the craft categories
- Kutztown Folk Festival — Kutztown Fairgrounds; long featured Pennsylvania Dutch pottery, but was cancelled in 2025 and has not returned
- A Fair in the Park — Mellon Park, Shadyside/Pittsburgh; September; Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh show with ceramics section
What to Expect
Pennsylvania pottery events cover a remarkable range. At the Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show, expect gallery-quality studio porcelain, sculptural ceramics, and contemporary vessels from nationally recognized artists. Prices at this level run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The PA Guild fairs in Lititz and Oaks focus on American fine craft with juried standards, featuring both functional and decorative pottery.
Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch redware with slip decoration is a craft tradition stretching back centuries. Lancaster County and Bucks County studio potters often work in historical styles alongside contemporary forms. Pittsburgh shows tend toward indie and contemporary aesthetics. Across the state, expect to meet artists directly and learn about their clay bodies, glazes, and firing methods.
Popular Cities for Pottery Events
- Philadelphia — Contemporary Craft Show, Rittenhouse Square Fine Craft Show
- Pittsburgh — A Fair in the Park, Handmade Arcade, I Made It! Market
- Lancaster — PA Guild headquarters, Heart of Lancaster Arts and Crafts Show, Lititz Craft Show
- Bethlehem — Christkindlmarkt with dozens of artisan vendors, Moravian craft traditions
- State College — Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, July, top-ranked juried show
Explore more craft events across the state on our Pennsylvania craft shows page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best pottery shows in Pennsylvania?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show (November) is the premier event. The PA Guild of Craftsmen runs juried fine craft fairs in Lititz (June) and Oaks (fall). Pittsburgh's A Fair in the Park (September) highlights regional ceramics.
What styles of pottery are traditional in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Dutch redware with slip decoration is the state's most distinctive pottery tradition, dating to the 1700s. You will also find Amish-made functional pottery in Lancaster County, Moravian-influenced decorative ceramics in the Lehigh Valley, and contemporary studio pottery in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Are there pottery guilds in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The PA Guild of Craftsmen, headquartered in Lancaster, was established in 1944. The Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh runs A Fair in the Park. The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen holds regional juried shows. Philadelphia's Craft Now organization supports the city's contemporary ceramic community.