Event
From Clay to Kiln: Celebrating the Evolution of Ceramics at DJCAD
An exhibition by Dundee Ceramics Showcase and the University of Dundee Museums of historic and contemporary ceramics from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.
Monday 10 November 2025 - Friday 30 January 2026
Tower Building
Nethergate
Dundee DD1 4HN
From Clay to Kiln brings together pieces from the DJCAD Collection along with key works from recent graduates whose practices have shaped - and continue to shape - the history and legacy of ceramics at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.
The exhibition has been curated by recent DJCAD graduates Claire Marion Black, Alana Brand, Joy Jennings and Sara Oussaiden, who have formed the collective Dundee Ceramics Showcase
Open Monday-Friday 9.30am-7pm (last entry 5pm). Closed for Christmas 22 December – 2 January.
Join us for a social evening and informal tour of the exhibition from the curators on Tuesday 9 December, 5.30-6.45pm.
Header image: Patterned Birds by Veera Krouglov, 2016 (DJCAD Collection, copyright the artist)
Main image: Plate from the series Granny's Garden by Shannon McQuade, 2024 (DJCAD Collection, copyright the artist)
A Brief History of Ceramics at DJCAD
1888 - What eventually becomes DJCAD is founded as part of Dundee Technical Institute. Clay modelling is introduced sometime before 1900.
1909 – James Duncan of Jordanstone dies leaving a bequest to found an independent art school. Pottery is one of the subjects that he specifies it should teach.
1933 – After a lengthy dispute, agreement is reached that the Art College should use the Duncan bequest to establish a new building separate from the Technical College.
1955 – The first wing of the Crawford Building opens for Modelling & Sculpture. Talks begin on establishing a ceramics facility.
1962 – A fully equipped Pottery studio is opened, run by Donald Logie.
1968 – Ceramics is approved by the Scottish Education Department as a specialist pathway for the Design diploma.
1980 – The College now offers a BA degree in Ceramics.
1994 - DJCAD becomes part of the University of Dundee.
2003 - The Ceramics department is shut down due to university-wide financial pressures.
2006 - After great demand, Ceramics reopens in a smaller facility led by Sean Kingsley.
2016 – Dundee Ceramics Workshop is founded by DJCAD graduate initiative Tin Roof Arts Collective, creating new shared workshop access in the city.
2024 - Sean Kingsley retires and the University's financial crisis raises questions about the future of the Ceramics facility.
Find out more about University of Dundee Museums