The week’s news in the ceramic art world – February 21, 2024

• The Korea Ceramic Foundation (KOCEF) just opened the applications for the 2024 Korean International Ceramic Biennale (KICB) International Competition. The event aims to provide ceramists in Korea and abroad an opportunity to present their works, in addition to encouraging the exchange of current trends in ceramic art and proposing a future vision for the field. This year marks the 11th iteration of the competition, which features the KICB Grand Prize worth ~$45,000. The 12th edition will take place for the first time at the Gyeonggi Museum of Ceramic Design in Yeoju. In recognition of their exceptional talent and creativity, the 60 artists selected for the competition will each be honored with the KICB Prize. Read more about the applications on Ceramics Now. The deadline for applications is March 18.

• There are a few days left to apply for the International Ceramics Competition Carouge 2024: Festivities. Three prizes will be awarded: a First Prize in the amount of 10,000 Swiss francs, a prize sponsored by the Bruckner Foundation in the amount of 2,000 Swiss francs, and a prize sponsored by swissceramics in the amount of 1,000 Swiss francs.

• The wonderful people behind the Bird of Paradise International Ceramic Symposium invite artists to apply to this year’s symposium (pdf file), which will take place between May 15-27 at Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, Georgia, Eastern Europe. Applications are due March 4.

• Explore a part of Australia’s vibrant ceramic art scene through Lilianne Milgrom’s recent article. From Claire Ellis’s environmental activism to Georgia Harvey’s cultural explorations and the collaborative brain of Kate Jones & Parker Lev Dupain, discover how these artists blend tradition, community, and activism into extraordinary creations.

• In the green city of Panevėžys, Lithuania, resides an expansive collection of contemporary ceramics. While the locals may not be entirely aware of the city’s international ceramic symposiums, Panevėžys stands as a distinguished hub for global ceramists. Read Aurelija Seilienė’s article about the vibrant world of the Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium.

• Applications are open for the Off Center International Ceramics Art Competition until Monday, February 26. Organized by Blue Line Arts (California), this year’s competition is seeking a special focus on installation artworks and large-scale ceramics.

• CERCCO (the Center for Experimentation and Realisation in Contemporary Ceramics of the Geneva University of Art and Design) invites applications for two residencies of 3 months. Workspace at CERCCO is open to designers, artists, architects and ceramists wishing to experiment and carry out a specific project. CERCCO will make a wide range of technical and artistic expertise available. Applications deadline: March 15.

• Belger Arts (Kansas City) invites artists to apply to their residencies until March 1st. Their programs are open to artists looking to further their artistic and professional careers and gain experience in a working studio environment. They currently accept applications for residencies beginning in August.

• Book recommendation: The Mold-Making Manual: The Art of Models, Molds, and Slip-Cast Ceramics, by Jonathan Kaplan. In this book, Jonathan draws on his 55+ years of experience to provide a methodology for problem-solving in ceramics, using plaster not only as a design tool but also as a way to generate forms for reproduction.

• Join artists Harriet Hellman and Jess Skelton for Clay in Conversation 7: Connection, the seventh in a series of conversations curated by artist Julia Ellen Lancaster, presenting artists working with clay and ceramics. Each conversation centers on a specific theme – acting as a lens through which the artists will present a piece of work or project. A Q&A session with the audience follows the presentations. The event will be held at the University of Westminster, London, on March 8.

• The Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, MT) has several new positions open, including Exhibitions and Events Assistant Manager, Gallery Sales Associate, Digital Content Creator, and Development and Events Coordinator.

• What’s On View: En Iwamura: Yama-Asobi is on view at Ross+Kramer, Miami / Patrice Renee Washington: Tendril is on view at The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU, Richmond / Resonance by Lisa Creskey, Susan Day & Eddy Firmin is on view at The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Ontario / Terra Incognita is on view at Valcke Art Gallery, Ghent / Colour & Movement is on view at the Leach Pottery Museum, St Ives / Sylvia Netzer: Goddesses + Emaciation is on view at A.I.R. Gallery, New York / Kimiyo Mishima is on view at Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto / Edges is on view at Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford