Slipware jug by Michelle Shields
The Burton at Bideford is delighted to announce an open call for our 6th Ceramics Residency. Bringing contemporary art into conversation with our historic collections, this residency provides a unique opportunity for an artist in the early stages of their career to explore and develop their practice.
The Burton Ceramics Residency has been running since 2017 and provides a unique opportunity for an artist in the early stages of their career to explore and develop their practice in relation to The Burton’s collections, resulting in an exhibition at The Burton in Spring/Summer 2026.
Bideford was a significant centre for pottery production in the 17th and 18th centuries, supplying pots across England, Ireland, Wales and North America. With over 1,000 individual pieces, The Burton has one of the most significant ceramic collections in the South West and our residency invites artists to explore contemporary responses to:
- The RJ Lloyd Collection of North Devon Slipware.
- Ceramic items within The Burton’s wider Collection.
- The heritage of North Devon’s local ceramic industry.
- The Burton’s 75-year legacy as a gallery rooted in community and place.
Previous recipients of the residency include Juneau Projects, Florence Dwyer, Michelle Shields, Simon Bayliss and Connor Coulston.
For full details of the Residency opportunity and how to apply, please download the Residency Pack and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form below.
Application deadline: 10am, Monday 20 October 2025
Interviews: w/c 3 November 2025
Start date: December 2025
