The peaceful setting of Clay Coyote Gallery and Pottery was a happening place this past weekend during the Minnesota Pottery Festival.

Artists and curious visitors traveled from near and far to share, view and purchase art on display beneath canopies. Demonstrations from adventurous artists and fiery shows drew crowds, as did performances by the Phoenix Drumline.

“I think it was an amazing success, probably our best pottery festival yet, but I say that every year,” said Morgan Baum, owner and executive officer of Clay Coyote. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather, better potters, a better audience of supporters to come out. I’m still pinching myself. Everything went exactly how it was supposed to. It was wonderful.”

Plenty of people seemed to agree. The event drew just shy of 2,000 visitors, about double the turnout of the first event six years ago.

One of the biggest draws each year is the Pottery Olympics. Each potter is given five minutes and five pounds of clay to make the tallest cylinder, the widest bowl, the widest platter or to make something while blindfolded. At the end of the competition, the winner earns a pottery wheel donated by Continental Clay and Shimpo Ceramics.

The winner this year was Bill Gossman, mayor of New London, and a repeat winner from a past year.

The seventh Minnesota Clay Festival is already in the works, planned for July 28 and 29, 2018.