Exhibit at Studio by Rock Garden
A space for thoughtful work, shown within a living studio environment.
Studio by Rock Garden is a micro gallery and shop in York, centred around handmade objects, coffee, and slow craft.
The space is a home for the handmade. Alongside our own ceramics and a curated selection of work by independent makers, we host a rotating exhibition programme.
Each month, we invite one featured wall artist to present a considered body of work within the space.
How it works
The studio always holds a stable collection of handmade objects, including:
Rock Garden Ceramics
Woodwork and small homewares
Jewellery and functional pieces, all made by local makers.
Alongside this, one artist is invited each month to take over the main gallery wall, forming the central exhibition within the space.
This creates a balance between everyday objects and a focused, thoughtful body of work.
What we offer
A featured wall exhibition lasting 4–5 weeks
Space for a cohesive body of work
Additional room for smaller works or editions
Promotion across our Instagram and in-store
The option to host a launch evening or informal gathering
Your work becomes part of the wider studio, sitting alongside handmade objects, ceramics, and the rhythm of the space.
Our approach
We are interested in artists with a clear and intentional practice.
Work shown at the studio is:
Considered
Cohesive
Built as a body of work
This is not a space for large mixed collections. The aim is to create exhibitions that feel calm, focused, and invite conversation.
Visitors are encouraged to spend time with the work, often returning more than once.
The space
Studio by Rock Garden is a small, active environment.
People visit to:
View the exhibition
Browse handmade objects
Sit with a coffee
Because of this, exhibitions are designed to sit naturally within the space, rather than dominate it.
Exhibition evenings (optional)
Artists have the option to host a launch evening, talk, or informal gathering.
This is not a requirement.
We have found that these evenings work best when led by the artist, particularly when they invite their own audience and community into the space.
We are happy to support and host, but the tone and scale of the event is shaped by you.
Important to know
We host one featured wall artist per month
Exhibitions run for approximately 4–5 weeks
Taking part is free
We take 20% commission on sold work
Artists handle their own pricing
Larger works remain with the artist until sold
We also host a group exhibition over the Christmas period.
What we’re looking for
We welcome applications from artists working in:
Painting
Printmaking
Photography
Mixed media
Occasional small-scale 3D work
We are particularly drawn to work that connects with:
Nature
Material
Process
Slowness and making
Optional additions
Artists are welcome to:
Host a workshop or talk
Spend time working in the space
Develop a body of work specifically for the exhibition
Make work in the space.
How to apply
To express interest, please send:
A short introduction
5–10 images of your work
A link to your website or Instagram
A brief idea of what you would like to exhibit
Email: studio@rockgardenceramics.co.uk
Subject: Artist Exhibition Application – [Your Name]
We carefully curate our programme to ensure each exhibition feels considered and aligned with the space.
We receive and carefully keep every application on file. Rather than reviewing applications as they arrive, we curate our exhibition programme several months at a time. This means you may not hear from us for a number of months, or sometimes until the following year. If we feel your work is the right fit for a future exhibition, we’ll be in touch then.
→ Click here to register your interest
You’ll be taken to a short questionnaire where you can share your name, website, images, and social media. If it’s a good fit, we’ll be in touch.
