The Leach Pottery is opening a new cross-site exhibition, on Friday March 24, inspired by a material potters use every day - clay.

Able to be thrown on the potter’s wheel or moulded by hand, then transformed by the heat of the kiln into a hard stone-like material, clay has been used for millennia.

Clay: That Continuous Material looks at the story of clay from the pioneering early days of the Leach Pottery, which made its own clays, to clays’ relationship with Cornwall. The old clay drops, by the side of the pottery, have been brought back to life with clay from St Agnes and china clay, unprocessed and direct from the clay pit, to help give a feel for the material and how the Old Pottery used to work.

The exhibition offers a mix of fun and educational family activities, new visitor materials in the Old Pottery, and an exhibition about clay in the Cube Gallery which also includes the chance to handle pots at all stages of the making process. Also opening on the same night is Japanese Connections – a selling exhibition showcasing the gallery's Japanese links.

The Leach Pottery will welcome Jon Keast, owner of Scarlet Wines, Lelant, who will be offering an informal tasting of Nikka Whisky, from Japan, Umeshu Plum Sake and Tarquin’s Cornish Gin - all served in Leach Porcelain - from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

There is also the opportunity to have-a-go at throwing a pot on the wooden kick wheels in the Old Pottery.

Libby Buckley, Leach Pottery director, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to look at the fundamental material at the heart of the pottery making process. Looking back at how our clay was once made by hand has given us a chance to bring an important part of the pottery back to life, and a great excuse to create outdoor hands-on activities to have a go at processing your own clay.”

The exhibition runs from March 25 to August 27, at the Leach Pottery in St Ives.