The week’s news in the ceramic art world – September 26, 2023

• The British Ceramics Biennial opened a few days ago in Stoke-on-Trent. This magnificent event spotlights the UK’s leading ceramic artists and introduces new works by international and emerging artists. We invite you to discover the full program of the biennale — over a dozen exhibitions and installations, several artist talks, and other events hosted against the backdrop of Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage. If you cannot join in person, you can book an online tour (pay-what-you-can).

• Applications are now open for the LOEWE Craft Prize 2024. Organized by the Loewe Foundation, the competition aims to recognize uniquely talented artisans whose artistic vision and will to innovate set new standards for the future of craft. The prize for the winning entry is 50,000 euros. Applications are due October 25, 2023.

• The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) is reviving its juried exhibition, Fahrenheit. Applications are open until October 15 for US-based artists.

• Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of visiting the 4th Latvia Ceramics Biennale, where I was a jury member for the Martinsons Award 2023. I enjoyed a series of openings, excellent organization, and wonderful people! I highly recommend visiting the main exhibition, which is on view at the Rothko Museum until February 2024. Congratulations to the winners! International: Milena Pirštelienė (Gold Prize), Ziwen Xu and Márta Radics (Silver Prize), Remy Dubibe and Kaiting Chan (Honorary Mentions). Latvian: Sanita Ābelīte (Gold Prize), Dainis Lesins (Silver Prize), Harald Jegodzienski (Bronze Prize), Olga Melehina-Zolotova and Juta Rindina (Honorary Mentions).

• Congratulations are also in order for Pie Bolton, the winner of the Klytie Pate Ceramics Award for 2023 (open to artists based in Australia and New Zealand), and the winners of CERCO 2023 – The 18th International Ceramics Competition: Simcha Even-Chen (CERCO Prize), Ícaro Maiterena (Second Prize), Rachel Grimshaw (Third Prize).

• NCECA’s Cultivating Community programming is happening this week! This week-long series of on-demand video presentations and Instagram Live (@nceca) sessions is accessible for free. Cultivating Community focuses on teaching and creating to promote inclusivity, diversity, and respect in ceramic art and beyond.

• Applications are open for the first edition of CICEMA – Manises International Ceramics Film Festival 2024. If you shot a film about ceramics or you are in the process of making one, read the guidelines and submit your movie. Films submitted to the competition must have a connection with ceramics, and they may belong to any film genre, from documentary to fiction, as well as video art or animation.

• We recently published an interview with Marco Maria Polloniato, the curator of the 30th edition of the Mediterraneo Contemporary Ceramics Competition, where we talked about the competition’s anniversary and plans.

• AMOCA is hosting a virtual artist talk with Artist in Residence Paige O’Toole to celebrate the beginning of her residency in the AMOCA Studios. O’Toole will share about her practice, past work, and future directions. The artist talk will take place online on September 27 at noon PST.

• Fall is a bustling time for artists, as numerous craft and design events unfold worldwide: Vienna Design Week (Sep 22 – Oct 1), Contemporania Barcelona (Sept 28-30), Sydney Craft Week (Oct 6-15), Stockholm Craft Week (Oct 4-8), Budapest Design Week (Oct 5-15).

• The Crocker Art Museum is seeking candidates for the position of Ruth Rippon Curator of Ceramics / Whitman College (WA) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Art

• What’s On View: Shary Boyle: Outside The Palace Of Me is on view at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York / Elisa D’arrigo: Taking Shapes is on view at Elizabeth Harris Gallery, New York / Simphiwe Mbunyuza: Inkobe, Unmamdi Ngo Chubelana is on view at Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami / 20th Annual Ceramics Invitational is on view at Abel Contemporary, Stoughton / Claude Champy, Bernard Dejonghe, Claudi Casanovas is on view at Galerie Capazza, Nançay / Sober Poetry: Peter De Cleyn and Mieke Everaet is on view at Valcke Art Gallery, Ghent / Sara Flynn is on view at Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, Toucy / János Probstner Memorial Exhibition is on view at the International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemét / Wei Bao: Whirls and Trails is on view at MIC Faenza, Faenza / Japanese Ceramics is on view at Erskine, Hall & Coe, London / Lincoln Mayne: RaRa DaDa is on view at Sculpture Space NYC, New York / Building with Clay is on view at Keramiekcentrum Tiendschuur, Tegelen / Anne Mette Hjortshøj is on view at Goldmark, Uppingham / TEMPEST: New Sculpture by Fujikasa Satoko is on view at Joan B Mirviss Ltd, New York / L’Estèque et le pinceau is in view at Galerie Terra Viva, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie