Photo courtesy of Ventura County Potters’ Guild
VENTURA — Clay has a way of slowing things down. There’s something satisfying about working with your hands, focusing in the moment, absorbed in what you’re doing, and transforming clay into something useful and beautiful.
That hands-on creativity is at the heart of the 5th Annual Bowl of Thanks & Ventura Pottery Market, returning to Ventura Harbor Village November 7 and 8.
Presented by the Ventura County Potters’ Guild, the two-day event brings together handmade pottery, local food and community giving. Hundreds of one-of-a-kind bowls, donated by Guild members, local colleges and schools, will be available for a $30 donation, with proceeds benefiting Food Share Ventura.
When you purchase a Bowl of Thanks, you’ll also receive a passport for FREE tastings at participating Ventura Harbor Village restaurants. Passports are limited to 300 each day, so come early!
Last year, more than 800 bowls were donated by Guild members and community ceramic artists, raising more than $21,000 for Food Share Ventura. This year, the Guild hopes to build on that success and raise even more to help support Food Share Ventura’s work in the community.
These bowls represent the time, creativity and hands-on connection that goes into working with clay. Making these bowls provides potters a welcome opportunity to slow down, focus and simply work with their hands. The finished bowl carries that human energy exchange with the clay from the potter’s studio into someone’s home—and, through Bowl of Thanks, helps put food on the tables of local families.
The Ventura Pottery Market will feature more than 20 local ceramic artists offering handmade functional and sculptural pottery, including mugs, bowls, pitchers, platters, vases, planters, holiday pieces and whimsical creations. Shoppers can meet local artists, discover one-of-a-kind ceramics and get an early start on holiday shopping.
The Bowl of Thanks brings together everything that makes handmade pottery special: creativity, community and the simple pleasure of making and sharing something by hand. Visitors can choose a one-of-a-kind bowl, enjoy FREE tastings from local Harbor restaurants, shop for handmade pottery and help support Food Share Ventura.
Bowl of Thanks & Ventura Pottery Market November 7 & 8, 2026, 11a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ventura Harbor Village
Bowl of Thanks: $30 donation
Ventura Pottery Gallery
1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105
Ventura Harbor
Open 11 a.m.–6 p.m., seven days a week
— The Ventura County Potters’ Guild, a non-profit founded in 1957, continues its mission of promoting ceramic arts through the Gallery, workshops, and monthly meetings. Meetings are open to the public and feature ceramic demonstrations or presentations. More information can be found at www.vcpg.org. Can’t make it to the Gallery? Please visit our Online Store at www.venturapotteryonline.com
