2-Day TileFest Bringing "Stories In Clay" To Life In Bucks

DOYLESTOWN, PA — For over a century, the tiles made at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Bucks County have told stories - about places, people, and craft traditions passed down through the generations.

On May 17 and 18, TileFest 2025 brings those stories to life with a two-day event featuring a marketplace of tilemakers from across the nation, hands-on experiences, and a look at how clay connects past and present.

Hosted by the Tile Works of Bucks County, "Stories in Clay," takes place on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year's theme highlights the way tiles capture social, political, and cultural life across humanity, throughout human history and today. Visitors will meet artists from Alaska to Florida, California to Maine, browse and purchase unique ceramic tiles, and experience the processes that bring clay to life.

For two days, the Tile Works at 13o East Swamp Road will be transformed into an outdoor marketplace of contemporary, vintage and antique tile displayed by makers and collectors from around the globe.

Held annually since 1998, the festival celebrates handmade tile traditions and tile makers. The festival attracts ceramists, artists, designers, architects, collectors, museums, showrooms and arts and industry partners.

TileFest '25 Highlights

• Tile Marketplace: Among the ceramic artists from across the U.S. who will sell their handmade tiles will be Mandy Baker (Whispering Hill Studio), Ricky Boscarino (Luna Parc), Robyn Sue Miller Mosaics, Evelyn Taylor Designs, David Ellison, Barbara Schmidt, Marcia Hovland, Laurie Skupp (Riverhorse Studios), Alexander Van Assche, Tom & Sarah Gelsanliter (One Acre Ceramics), Sherri Warner Hunter, Parran Collery (Eartha Handmade Tile), and many more.
• Tile StoryCorps: A new oral history project dedicated to collecting and archiving the stories of tile artisans, makers, setters, historians and enthusiasts. Launching at TileFest 2025, visitors can step up to a vintage-style phone and share their personal tile stories—whether about a project, a familiar installation, a mentor, a historic site, or a lifelong craft. Stories will be recorded and preserved as part of an ongoing effort to document the voices and experiences that shape the American art tile tradition.
• Great Tile Throwdown: A live clay making station for all ages and skill levels to play with clay, and make a tile to leave at Tileworks for our “Tile Wall of Fame”. A guest juror will pick best of show, and the winner will receive a special prize.
• Live Music: Local band “Wood Flower” will play bluegrass music on Sunday, May 18, from 12–3 p.m.
• Complimentary Museum Tours: Explore the working history museum that has been producing tiles since the turn of the 20th Century. Learn how raw, local clay is processed and shaped into Moravian tile.
• Concrete Sculpting, The Art of Ferro-Cement: Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc will bring a rebar armature and demonstrate the creation of one of his concrete illuminated sculptures. Join Ricky in the slathering of concrete.
• Tile Mosaic and Setting Demonstration: Graduates of the Artisans Revolution in Tile will demonstrate the precision and art of creating hand-shaped mosaics.
• Penn State Abington Students: Students who are enrolled in a fully-accredited art program, who continually seek to share knowledge and hone their craft, will demonstrate their skills and artistry, ultimately completing a project for the TileWorks.
• Travis Manion Foundation Project: Visitors can glaze ceramic stars that will be installed at Freedom Square, a pocket park in the Doylestown borough, to honor those who have served.
• Soil & Clay Demonstration: Delaware Valley University educators will explain how soil composition impacts ceramic art.
• Sol Feinstone Elementary Tile Exhibition: Fourth-grade students will display their original tile design inspired by Henry Mercer
• Door Prize: enter your email for a chance to win a Mercer Mosaic, crafted using the same historic designs as those in the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building.
• TileWorks will donate $1 from all entry tickets to the CERF, Craft Emergency Relief Fund, which will be directed toward a scholarship for an art tile maker or studio that was compromised by the recent flooding in Asheville, NC.

Tickets are $10, with $1 going to CERF, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund for ceramic artists in Asheville , North Carolina and the rest of the proceeds supporting the continued operation and interpretation of The Moravian Pottery and TileWorks.

Food and drinks include Amsterdam Coffee, offering fresh coffee and baked goods, and food provided by Pazzo Pizza, Smokin' Earls BBQ and Joes Crafted Cravings.

For more information about TileFest 25: Stories In Clay, click here.