The week’s news in the ceramic art world – September 30, 2025

We are excited to announce the release of our 2026 calendar of ceramic competitions, biennales, festivals, and fairs. It currently lists 22 events, including eight international competitions with open applications, and more will be added soon. You can discover the open applications in this week’s news update below.

🥇 Applications are now open for several ceramic competitions taking place in 2026:

6th Siegburg International Ceramics Award, Germany (Feb 1 – Apr 12, 2026). Deadline: October 5, 2025
XVII International Ceramic Biennial of Manises 2026, Spain (May 8 – Jul 31, 2026). Deadline: November 20, 2025
Diessener Töpfermarkt Young Ceramics Award, Germany (May 14–17, 2026). Deadline: March 15, 2026 (EU only, under 35 years old)
6th International Ceramics Triennial UNICUM 2026, Slovenia (May 15 – Oct 15, 2026). Deadline: December 1, 2025
43rd Concurs International de Ceràmica de l’Alcora, Spain (May 16 – Sep 6, 2026). Deadline: November 30, 2025
Biennale of Contemporary Keramics 2026, Greece (Jun 7 – Oct 2026). Deadline: January 10, 2026 (Mediterranean connection required)
Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2026, China (Jun 26, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027). Deadline: December 25, 2025
Carouge International Ceramics Competition 2026, Switzerland (Sep 19 – Nov 29, 2026). Deadline: December 31, 2025

In addition to the major competitions, applications are now open for a few ceramic fairs and international craft prizes:

Ceramic Market Andenne – Li Dièle 2026, Belgium (May 24–25, 2026). Deadline: December 7, 2025
LOEWE Craft Prize 2026, Singapore (Spring 2026). Deadline: October 30, 2025
Höhr-Grenzhausen Ceramics Market 2026, Germany (Jun 6–7, 2026). Deadline: January 18, 2026

👉 Discover the 2026 Ceramics Calendar on our website.

👌 Early registration for the 2026 IAC Congress is now open. The 52nd Congress and General Assembly of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) will take place from June 27 to July 2, 2026, in Jingdezhen, China, the historic world capital of porcelain. Under the theme “Inheritance and Innovation”, the Congress will highlight Jingdezhen’s ceramic heritage and its role in shaping contemporary practice, education, and digital innovation. Hosted by Jingdezhen Ceramic University and the Municipal Government, the program will feature conferences, exhibitions, cultural circuits, and international exchanges, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience this living centre of ceramic excellence.

🧱 The Public Statues and Sculpture Association (UK) will host a half-day webinar titled Approaches to Unfired Clay on October 24. Clare Twomey, Phoebe Cummings, Cristiano Di Martino, and Davinia-Ann Robinson will discuss their use of unfired clay and its potential in their respective practices. By considering the fragility, vulnerability and impermanence of the medium, they will explore themes of transience and natural process, and the way the clay’s malleability and fluidity engender an immediacy of connection. Participation fee: £5.

🗨️ Join Clay in Conversation 12: Collaboration for an exploration of how artists working with clay collaborate with others, with communities, and with concepts. Taking place at County Hall Pottery alongside the Collaborative exhibition (for the London Design Festival), this event features presentations by Francesca Anfossi and Ciara Neufeldt. The discussion will be chaired by Ashley Thorpe, followed by an audience Q&A. Clay in Conversation is curated by Julia Ellen Lancaster. Participation fee: £3.

💡 For more than forty years, La Meridiana International School of Ceramics (Italy) has been the meeting place of artists and students from all around the world, offering hands-on workshops in a wide variety of ceramic techniques, including throwing, sculpture, glazing, nerikomi, jewellery, atmospheric firing, and more. Alongside short masterclasses, the school also offers in-depth professional programs such as the three-month On Centre, which gives participants the opportunity to experiment, develop their skills, and refine their personal vision. Discover La Meridiana’s complete list of courses.

📙 Book recommendation: Beyond Blue and White – The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic, by Genevieve Wheeler Brown. The book uncovers the untold stories of women connected to 17th–19th century Delftware. Through makers, patrons, and collectors, Genevieve Wheeler Brown reveals how this beloved ceramic tradition reflects female experience across centuries, richly illustrated with historic objects and documents. Buy the book on Bookshop (US) or Amazon (worldwide).

🎓 The Department of Art & Art History, School of Arts & Sciences at Hunter College (New York) is hiring an Assistant Professor (Studio Art – Ceramics).