The week’s news in the ceramic art world – October 11, 2023

• We are happy to share the wonderful news that Ceramics Now has officially joined the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC-IAC) as a member. Immense thanks to our sponsors for their recommendations and our loyal readers for your continued support! We look forward to collaborating and amplifying the Academy’s mission of promoting creative excellence and cultural diversity in ceramics. Congratulations to all the new members!

• Applications are now open for the 15th Westerwald European Ceramics Prize, a renowned competition for European artists working with ceramics. The Westerwald Prize was awarded for the first time in 1973. The following prizes will be awarded in 2024: Freeform Ceramics – First Prize 10000 EUR, Second Prize 6000 EUR, New Talent Prize 30000 EUR, Salt-Fired (Town of Höhr-Grenzhausen Prize): 10000 EUR. You are invited to submit your application by January 31, 2024. I am honored to be part of the jury for this edition.

• Ceramics Now announces a Call for Papers: We’re inviting essays, exhibition reviews, features on trends or major events, and insightful interviews for publication on our platform.

• The Australian Design Centre announced the winners of the inaugural MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design. The winner was unveiled as ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa. The second prize went to designer Jessica Murtagh. Judges also awarded a Highly Commended accolade to Sydney designer Liz Williamson.

• The Cheongju International Craft Competition recently announced its 2023 winners: Grand Prize: Ko Hye-jeong / Gold Prize: Park Sung-hoon / Silver Prize: Hong Jae-kyung, Lee Tae-hoon / Bronze Prize: Kim Su-yeon, Jeon A-hyun, Hanna Järlehed.

• The Archie Bray Foundation is currently accepting applications for their short-term and year-long residencies. Their Residency Program provides space, resources and time for artists to focus intensely on their craft, explore new ideas and techniques, and push their work to new levels. For 2024, up to five long-term residencies are available, each receiving a $7,500 fellowship award. In addition, up to ten summer residencies may be available, each with a $1,500 scholarship award. Applications are due November 15.

• The first edition of the Oeiras Ceramic Art festival will take place later this week in Oeiras, near Lisbon, Portugal, and will include exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, and artist talks.

• The Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize announced the 12 ceramic artists who have been shortlisted for this year’s award: Alisha Gent, Anne-Laure Cano, Camilla Hanney, Ebony Russell, Eveline Kieskamp, Isis Dove-Edwin, Jemma Gowland, Jess Riva Cooper, Kristen Stain, Oriel Zinaburg, SaeRi Seo, and Sara Dodd. Their mission is to support emerging artists from across the world.

• Book recommendation: CLAY FORMES is the first survey of contemporary clay and ceramics from South Africa. This volume offers a glimpse into the studios of thirty important South African artists, revealing the richness of both contemporary clay and ceramic tradition within South African art. Through exquisite photography and in-depth essays, this book features artists such as Hylton Nel, Andile Dyalvane, Zizipho Poswa, Ian Garrett, Katherine Glenday, Ruan Hoffmann, Madoda Fani, Belinda Blignaut, Siyabonga Fani, Ben Orkin, Chuma Maweni and John Newdigate amongst others.

• GRASSIMESSE, an international fair for applied arts and design with over 140 exhibitors, will take place on October 20-22 in Leipzig, Germany. A large part of the presentation of contemporary craft will be exhibited in the heart of the Museum for Applied Arts, creating beautiful correspondences between tradition and innovation.

• The University of Tennessee School of Art is hiring an Assistant Professor of Ceramics

• What’s On View: Wen Liu: In Convalescence is on view at Dinner Gallery, New York / Fifteen: An Anniversary Exhibition is on view at Pangolin London, London / Clive Bowen at 80 is on view at Leach Pottery, St Ives / Caroline Slotte & Gitte Jungersen: There is Constantly Something Happening is on view at Format, Oslo / Self Medication: Korean Ceramic Art is on view at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Riga / Jonathan Baldock: Touch Wood is on view at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton / Nicolas Touron and Amy Lemaire: Nature 2.0 is on view at Gallery 224, Allston / Lindsey “Lou” Howard: In Good Taste is on view at Albertz Benda, Los Angeles