The history of the Contemporary Clay Fair (CCF) began in 2004. In response to a need for a local springtime fair (as opposed to driving 500 miles to the Arizona arts and craft shows), a group of 30 potters came together to create a  venue to exhibit and sell their wares. The first two years the CCF was held at St. Johns Episcopal Church and modeled after the Denver Potter's Guild annual show, specifically with all the pottery exhibited and mixed together regardless of the maker. During the 3rd year we moved down the street to the Santa Fe Woman's Club and also began giving each potter their own separate table and exhibit space. At this time we also began holding the fair bi-annually, in the Spring and Fall, due to it's popularity and large patronage.

From the beginning the CCF was unusual; it is artists funded and operated with the potters themselves doing all the marketing, educating, selling and cashiering. It is a small co-operative fair with each potter selling not only their own work but the work of the other potters as well. Patrons can check out once, purchasing as many pots as desired with one central cashier.

2024 marks our 21st year proudly presenting New Mexico's diverse community of potters and the wide variety of ceramic work they represent. The Contemporary Clay Fair continues to be the foremost ceramics sale and exhibit in the Southwest and is eagerly anticipated every Fall by local and regional patrons alike.