STOKE-ON-TRENT .- This autumn the UK’s largest ceramics festival, the British Ceramics Biennial, will return to Stoke-on-Trent for six weeks from 26 September to 8 November 2015.

A platform for new ideas, works and fresh approaches to clay, the festival celebrates the best in contemporary ceramics through an exciting programme of new exhibitions, installations, activities and special events. This year’s BCB will offer a truly interactive experience, giving visitors the chance to get clay under their fingernails.

At the heart of this international cultural event stands the historic former Spode pottery factory, which will once again form the creative hub for the festival. For the first time the building’s imposing China Hall will be home to the Biennial’s centrepiece exhibition AWARD. Following selection by a panel of judges chaired by Alun Graves, Senior Curator at the V&A, the 11 artists shortlisted for its £5,000 prize will each present new works exemplifying the energy and vitality of British contemporary ceramics. Within the 2015 Award showcase the works range from monumental architectural detail to intricate and intimate contemplative pieces, with conceptual depth, expressive flair and exquisite technical accomplishment.

Joining Award in the China Hall will be another festival highlight FRESH showcasing the most promising talent from the UK’s recent graduates working across ceramics disciplines. This popular exhibition provides an important launchpad for tomorrow’s ceramic stars, with approximately 20 graduates selected in partnership with NACHE, the National Association of Ceramics in Higher Education. The exhibition campaigns for the continued investment in creative programmes within education. Featured artists are to be announced in August.

A programme highlight for 2015 will be a new WW1 commemorative installation created by artists Steven Dixon and Johnny Magee. In honour of the fallen men of the North Staffordshire Regiment and recognising Stoke-on-Trent’s long history of ceramic flower making, 194000 will feature 5,608 flowers incorporating forget-me-nots as a symbol of memory and love, handcrafted from white bone china and tagged with individual memory markers. A blanket of flowers will serve as the monumental screen for a filmed seascape.

There will be unique opportunities for visitors to get involved in the creation and interpretation of the installation.

Further highlights throughout the Spode site in 2015 will include:

· An installation by Bruce McLean, one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary artists, who will take on clay and assemble a studio theatre set of new characters

· Press Print to Make? Artists’ exploration of ceramic rapid prototyping and its applications in industry, architecture and design. Leading experimental ceramic artist Michael Eden will demonstrate the use of a ‘state of the art’ on-site 3D printer. This will be complemented by a programme of events delivered by RIBA, focusing on the architectural use of 3D printed ceramics

· A new participatory installation by Lawrence Epps titled AGAIN. Featuring a fairground ‘coin-pusher’ machine adapted to operate using hand-made ceramic coins, the piece combines the tactile materiality of Epps’ ceramic works with the adrenaline of the arcade, inviting the viewer to enter into a wager with the artwork. AGAIN launches in conjunction with a new publication the very last time, edited by Epps with poet Holly Corfield Carr

· Re-apprenticed by Neil Brownsword will artistically reactivate a series of traditional practices from North Staffordshire’s ceramic industry. Neil will apprentice himself to skilled former ceramic industry employees, learning traditional techniques including copper plate engraving, mould making, china painting and flower-making

· Awarded - a new site-specific project in the China Hall from 2013 AWARD winner Nao Matsunaga. Nao will present a ceremonial gathering of his sculptures from the last two years, inspired by his own experience and interest in Stoke-on-Trent, Neolithic cultures and the Spode site itself

· A case study of V&A ceramics resident Amy Hughes’ recent ‘Artist into Industry’ design project, conceived during her residency at the museum

· The Engaged section of the festival, which presents a series of exhibitions, interventions and activities themed around Flowers and Food, is drawn from the work of artists in collaboration with various community groups, partners and schools. This work is part of The Clay Foundation’s community and education programme

· The Bread in Common Café will offer locally made artisan bread and produce as handcrafted cuisine reflecting the international flavour of the Biennial

· BCB continues its collaboration with AirSpace Gallery, where artists will present an interactive exhibition themed around flowers, environmental management and urban regeneration

On the line-up for the British Ceramics Biennial 2015, artistic director Barney Hare-Duke commented: ‘This year’s festival presents a breadth of artists and practice, scale and conceptual depth, all brought together by a spirit of creative endeavour, testing and skilfully demonstrating the potential of clay. In true festival style there is lots here for everyone to see, enjoy, learn, be surprised and inspired by.’