Museum of the Shevelev Masters and Kargopol Clay Toys

About museum

In Kargopol you can learn about the Shevelev dynasty and the history of the Kargopol clay toy, which appeared in this town thanks to deposits of potter's clay. The Shevelevs belonged to a dynasty of potters, and it was they who revived the craft of making toys in the second half of the 20th century. In 2003 the Shevelev family museum was opened, where you can see numerous photographs, family heirlooms, clay toys, tableware, items made of birch bark, wood and wrought metal. The museum also houses samples of a special type of fabric and a bralnitsa (a tool for creating patterns). The exhibition is embellished by paintings by the brothers Valentin and Vitaly Shevelev. The museum hosts exhibitions, seminars and summer classes for students. Master classes in making clay toys are also offered, which both adults and children can attend.