Yingge Ceramics Museum (Taiwan) invites artists, curators, and collectives to submit exhibition proposals for its 2027 exhibition program. Seeking solo, group, and curatorial projects, the Museum offers a professional platform for contemporary ceramic practice and international exchange, with exhibitions taking place in two of its galleries. The open call runs until January 31, 2026, with selected projects announced in March 2026.

As part of the 6th International Ceramics Triennial UNICUM 2026, Center Rog (Ljubljana) has launched a dedicated open call for the exhibition Ceramic Form and Function: Beyond Use. Distinct from the Triennial’s artistic ceramics program, this exhibition focuses on functional and design ceramics that rethink use, form, and everyday living, from tableware and lighting to architectural and sculptural objects. Ceramic artists and designers worldwide are invited to apply. Applications are due January 7, 2026.

Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach is inviting applications for RESIDENCY 5.0: exploring porcelain, an international residency program hosted at the historic Höechster Porzellan-Manufaktur in Frankfurt, Germany. Aimed at artists and designers with strong experience in ceramics, the four-month residency (April 15 – August 15, 2026) supports experimental research in porcelain. Four selected residents will receive a studio, accommodation, a €1,000 monthly stipend, production support, and access to advanced facilities. Applications are open to international applicants until January 5, 2026.

Several deadlines to submit work for ceramic competitions and fairs are approaching in the coming weeks. Applications close soon for the Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale 2026 (December 25, 2025), the Austrian Pottery Market 2026 and the Carouge International Ceramics Competition 2026 (both December 31, 2025), followed in January by the Biennale of Contemporary Keramics in Greece (January 10), the International Ceramics Days Oldenburg (January 11), Argillà Italia (January 12), Terralha – European Ceramic Festival (January 15), and the Höhr-Grenzhausen Ceramics Market (January 18). Discover all these events in our 2026 Calendar.

Artists based in Canada are invited to apply for the 2026 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics, a national award supporting emerging ceramic artists. Presented by the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in partnership with the Keith and Winifred Shantz Fund for the Arts, the award is open to artists with 5-10 years of professional practice. The winner receives $10,000, with additional prizes for a runner-up and finalists, and inclusion in a 2026 group exhibition at the gallery. Applications are due January 25, 2026.

A-B Projects is offering New Wave Scholarships for students and recent graduates that cover enrollment in their monthly Studio Sessions for 2026. Studio Sessions are an online platform where an intimate group of artists gather weekly for 4 weeks under the guidance of a lead artist to discuss specific ideas and experiment with how those ideas can take form in clay. Upcoming sessions: Kelly Devitt in January, Berenice Hernández in February, and Nathan Lynch in March.

Book recommendation: Shaping Global Masterpieces. Published by the International Academy of Ceramics, the book brings together reflections and works by 35 artists from 21 countries, offering insight into contemporary ceramic practices worldwide. Through reflections, creative processes, and technical information, the book celebrates artistic excellence while reflecting the Academy’s mission to foster dialogue, exchange, and international collaboration in ceramics.

Ceramics Jobs Board:

• Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Ceramics
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, NE) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Ceramics
• University of New Mexico (Gallup, NM) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Ceramics

Exhibitions

Discover these ceramic exhibitions that were recently featured in Ceramics Now.

• Fernando Casasempere: Ruins at Fred Levine, Bruton
• Martin Woll Godal: Sequence at Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall, Arendal
• Jim Melchert: Where the Boundaries Are at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, San Francisco
• Samuel Sarmiento: Relical Horn at Andrew Edlin Gallery, New York

What’s on View

A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.

1. Andile Dyalvane: iNgqweji at Southern Guild, Cape Town
2. Celia Vásquez Yui: Indigenous Futurism at Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami
3. Linda Lighton: Love & War, A Fifty-Year Survey, 1975-2025 at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, KS
4. Nils Erik Gjerdevik: Spaces of Possibilities at CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, Middelfart
5. Kuniko Kinoto: Dislocation Loop​ at ATLA, Los Angeles
6. Kevin Umaña: Moonglow Metanoia at The Pit, Los Angeles
7. Chris Rijk: Sex, drugs and earthenware at Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem and Chris Rijksmuseum at Museum W, Weert
8. Fiat Ignis III: Let There Be Fire at Gallery 60, New York
9. Julianna Zwierciadlowska-Rhymer: Guilty Pleasures at the Saskatchewan Craft Council, Saskatoon
10. HOUSE at County Hall Pottery, London

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Featured image – Andile Dyalvane: iNgqweji at Southern Guild, Cape Town

Ceramics Now celebrates 15 Years with a Special Anniversary Edition

We are delighted to announce the release of our 15-Year Anniversary Edition, celebrating fifteen years of Ceramics Now through a special, artist-driven issue spanning 150 pages. Shaped by an open call that received over 950 applications, this edition brings together 24 selected artists whose practices reflect the diversity, urgency, and imagination of ceramics today.

Featured artists: Amber Rane Sibley, Renata Cassiano Alvarez, Andile Dyalvane, Linda Nguyen Lopez, Jovan Matić, Erin Berry, Tim Fluck, Céline Arnould, Heidi Bjørgan, Ahrong Kim, Yinchen Li, Toni De Jesus, Chiao-Chih Lu, Mark Goudy, Andréa Keys Connell, Yuka Nishihisamatsu, Théo Ouaki, Nick Ervinck, Tümay Erman, Ariana Heinzman, Barbara Léon Leclercq, Yaerin Pyun, Ana Buitrago, Renqian Yang. On the cover: Jovan Matić.

The selection brings together figurative and abstract sculpture, experimental vessels, glaze-driven work, digital and hand-built processes, and pieces that respond to the body, home, memory, identity, and everyday life. Across different cultural and personal contexts, the works show clay as something physical and direct, but also emotional, playful, fragile, and strong.

Alongside established artists, this edition introduces emerging voices that appear in Ceramics Now for the first time, reflecting what the publication has always stood for: discovery, openness, and the importance of giving space to new work and new perspectives.

This anniversary edition offers a snapshot of a field that remains restless, generous, and continually redefined by those who work within it. It marks fifteen years of Ceramics Now by bringing together artists whose work points toward what ceramics can still become, shaped by those who continue to test the limits of the material and find new ways to speak through clay.

We would like to thank everyone who applied to our open call for this special edition. We’re grateful every day to work in this field and to meet people who understand the value of clay. Here’s to many more years together!

The 15-Year Anniversary Edition of Ceramics Now is now available for purchase on our website. To celebrate, we’re also offering $15 off an annual Ceramics Now subscription throughout December (use the promo code 15YEARS).

Get your copy of Ceramics Now Magazine – 15-Year Anniversary Edition:

Order the hard-copy (print) edition, $39
Order the digital edition, $5
Subscribe: Annual ($59), Monthly ($6), Patron ($100)

The Ceramic Studio announced its 2026 Guest Potter Workshops

The Ceramic Studio is thrilled to announce its new line-up of Guest Potter Workshops — an extraordinary chance to learn from some of the most innovative ceramic artists working today. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned potter, there’s something for everyone.

Each workshop is guided by a guest tutor — a professional potter or ceramicist — bringing a unique style, fresh techniques and years of experience. From wheel-throwing masterclasses and porcelain hand-building, to decorative techniques, slipware, surface textures and sculptural work — there’s a rich variety of courses designed to expand your skills and creative vision.

Classes are held in a beautiful studio set in a converted barn near Tunbridge Wells, just an hour’s drive from London. With light, spacious studios and small-group teaching, you’ll get plenty of individual attention and a supportive, friendly atmosphere.

Discover the workshops →

What you can expect
• Focused, high-quality teaching — from throwing on the wheel to delicate porcelain hand-building, slab-construction, glazing, surface texture, and slipware.
• Creative variety — each workshop explores different methods and aesthetics, so whether you want to refine traditional pottery techniques, experiment with bold surface design, or explore sculptural pieces, there’s plenty on offer.
• Community and inspiration — working alongside like-minded creatives, you’ll be part of a vibrant pottery community that encourages collaboration, feedback, and mutual support.

Who it’s for
The Ceramic Studio’s Guest Potter Workshops are inclusive — open to anyone from curious beginners to experienced makers wanting to push their craft further. Some workshops suit those new to clay, while others offer advanced challenges for seasoned potters. Please check the course descriptions for each workshop’s recommended skill level.

Explore the full 2026 workshop line-up:

• Craig Underhill — Slab Building & Surface Mark Making (11–14 May)
Craig’s workshop is all about structure and texture. Learn reliable slab-building techniques, construct three-dimensional forms and explore mark-making methods that transform flat surfaces into tactile, expressive pieces.

• Andri Maimaridou — Kintsugi (31 May)
Celebrate the art of repair. Andri introduces the modern approach to Kintsugi, where cracks and breaks are honoured and visually transformed using lacquer and metallic highlights.

• Louise Bell — Playful Animals (6–7 June)
This two-day workshop invites playful exploration through hand-built animal sculptures. Learn creative construction techniques, plus finishing methods using tissue transfers and slips for characterful decoration.

• Dee Barnes — Decorated Treasure Boxes (13–14 June)
Dee’s course focuses on functional beauty. You’ll slab-build keepsake boxes and explore colourful slip decoration to create practical yet decorative pieces.

• Sophie Aguilera Lester — Flower Making in Porcelain (20–21 June)
Delicate, refined, and meditative—Sophie’s workshop walks you through hand building porcelain flowers with an emphasis on precision and finesse.

• Emily Stubbs — Patterns, Prints & Pots (27–28 June)
Emily’s focus is surface. Create patterned and textured slabs, then use those surfaces to build one-off vessels with personality and depth.

• Amanda-Sue Rope — Collage with Clay: Combining Thrown & Hand-Built Elements (29 June – 3 July)
This five-day workshop combines thrown forms with hand-built elements to create innovative lidded vessels and bottle forms—part function, part sculpture.

• Justine Allison — Hand Building with Porcelain (4–5 July)
Justine’s course is for those wanting to master delicate porcelain hand building. Learn techniques that make fine, fragile forms that sing with subtlety.

• Matthew Blakely — An Exploration of Glazing (6–10 July)
Matthew’s intensive explores glaze theory and application, encouraging experimentation with colour, layering and surface behaviour. Expect practical demonstrations and tests to demystify glaze chemistry.

• Paul Smith — Hand Building Animals (11–12 July)
Paul offers another sculptural weekend focused on animal forms—techniques, structure and expressive detail are all on the menu.

• Harriet Caslin — Casting & Carving Slip Cast Porcelain (13–15 July)
This course teaches slip casting, carving and finishing to create sculptural and semi-functional porcelain pieces that play with pattern, texture and colour.

• Richard Phethean — Throwing & Altering (20–24 July)
Richard’s longer course concentrates on throwing, altering and handling larger weights—building confidence for more ambitious work and improving form control.

• Kwak Kyungtae — Wheel Throwing Masterclass (26–30 Aug) & Onggi Demo / Masterclass (31 Aug & 2–6 Sept)
Kwak brings deep traditional knowledge: a five-day masterclass in Korean wheel-throwing alongside a demonstration and an Onggi masterclass focusing on traditional large-jar techniques.

• Brian Dickenson — Improve Your Throwing Masterclass (7–18 Sept)
An intensive two-week course aimed at repetition and refinement—Brian’s class is designed to dramatically improve technique through focused practice.

• Francis Lloyd-Jones — Learn to Throw (28 Sept – 2 Oct)
A beginner-friendly throwing course that covers the fundamentals: cylinders, bowls and the core stages of making.

• James Ort — Ceramic Animals (12–14 Oct & 9–10 Nov)
Sculptural, expressive animal work with unique modelling approaches to produce standing and wall-mounted animal forms.

• Alice Mara — Hand Building Houses (15–16 Oct & 12–13 Nov)
Build slab-constructed houses using photographic transfers and careful detailing—this course is part architecture, part memory-box.

• Russell Kingston — Slip Decorated Earthenware (19–23 Oct)
Combine throwing with traditional country pottery and slip decoration to make rustic, decorated earthenware pieces.

• Adam Frew — Throwing with Porcelain (2–6 Nov)
Focus on throwing porcelain and Matthew-style glazing techniques: crisp lines, brushwork and surface contrasts.

• Kate Semple — Between Paper and Clay (16–19 Nov)
Explore the relationship between paper and clay—forms, textures and how the two mediums inform each other.

• Tom Knowles-Jackson — Throwing Statement Kitchenware (23–27 Nov)
A five-day workshop focused on repetition and fluency in making kitchenware that celebrates form and function.

Why join a Guest Potter Workshop?
Learn from recognised makers. Work in small groups for hands-on tuition. Try a wide range of techniques—from slab-building and slip casting to traditional wheel-throwing, glazing and sculptural practice. Above all, meet a community of makers who will challenge and inspire you.

The Ceramic Studio’s workshops take place in Brenchley, Kent, an English countryside location easily reached from London and major transport links.

Spaces are limited; a 20% deposit secures your place. If a particular course sparks you, book early to avoid disappointment.

Discover the full schedule and book your place today.

Pioneers of Studio Ceramics: Modern Masterpieces at Woolley & Wallis

As the year draws to its close, Woolley & Wallis presents its bi-annual British Art Pottery auction in Salisbury, with selected highlights on view in its Mayfair Galleries, London. Long regarded as one of the UK’s leading auction houses for decorative arts, Woolley & Wallis presents a curated selection of works that trace the evolution of British ceramics from the Victorian era through to the modern studio movement.

With over 350 lots to be sold on 10th December, Woolley and Wallis are proud to present modern masters of their craft, celebrating the collectors and collections their pieces are woven through.

The Studio Ceramics section opens with significant works by early pioneers of the movement – Bernard Leach (1887-1979) and Janet Leach (1918-1997) of the St Ives pottery, presented alongside a selection of works by Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie (1895-1985). Recalling to mind the historic early Staffordshire slipware of Thomas and Ralph Toft, Leach’s early Hare dish, c.1924, is a charming and evocative work depicting that most English of symbols: the hare at full stride. A similar piece may be seen on page 76 of the exhibition catalogue for the Bernard Leach: 125th Anniversary presentation at the Asahi Shinbun, Tokyo, 29 August – 11 November 2012. Also present in the sale are a pair of Leaping Deer dishes, another of Leach’s favoured motifs – though with a rich green ash glaze rather than the lustre type of the former work.

View Catalogue | British Art Pottery →

Such ash glazes were, famously, the experimental focus of Pleydell-Bouverie, whose output is also well represented in the sale with a selection of fine pieces. From her wood-fired kiln at Coleshill, the 17th century family estate, Pleydell-Bouverie made use of sieved ash derived from the remarkable variety of woods, hedgerows and vegetable gardens of the estate, making detailed experiments and records of the glazes created by different compositions of ashes.

Several of the pieces in the upcoming sale exemplify her masterful control over these natural glazes, as well as the nuanced and delicate fluted and flared forms that they envelop.

While the partnership between Leach and Pleydell-Bouverie is well celebrated – the latter potter being taken in under the wing of Leach after a series of evening classes – perhaps an even more significant relationship is that of the most famous émigré potters of the 20th century: Hans Coper (1920-1981) and Lucie Rie (1902-1995). Coper joined Rie’s studio in 1946 as an assistant, having never before worked in clay. The domestic simplicity of Rie’s output contrasts with Coper’s sculptural, abstract forms, and Woolley & Wallis is proud to present a number of fine pieces by both potters. Of particular note is a rare vessel – cup on foot with central disc, circa 1965 – which is provenanced to the estate of Jane Coper (1932-2002), Hans’ lifelong sweetheart and a talented artist in her own right.

The variety of ceramics offered in the sale is demonstrated further by a selection of sculptural works by noted potters, including Ewen Henderson (1934-2000) and Gordon Baldwin (1932-2025), as well as a small group of colourful and attractive works by Emmanuel Cooper (1938-2012). A stoneware jug enveloped in a bright yellow glaze with gold spots is of particular interest, being the first piece presented at the Ruthin Craft Centre, Emmanuel Cooper OBE 1938-2012, A Retrospective Exhibition, held 7 December 2013 – 2 February 2014.

Contemporary ceramics are well represented by striking works from such artists as Ashraf Hanna (b.1967), Akiko Hirai (b.1970), Bodil Manz (b.1943) and Edmund de Waal (b.1964). Hirai’s extraordinary Extra Large Moon Jar, c.2000, is a museum-quality piece of grogged stoneware, presenting large rugged porcelain deposits over white and black slips under running pale blue and green glazes. The moon jar was presented at the Flow Gallery, Akiko Hirai Solo Show, 25 June – 15 September 2020, and it stands as a remarkable testament to Hirai’s vision, imagination and experimental daring. On a different scale, the delicate celadon crackle-glazed pinched and thumbed vessels for which De Waal is renowned are well represented, and appear at a timely moment – with the opening at The Hepworth Wakefield of Playing with Fire: Edmund de Waal and Axel Salto, a new exhibition which sees De Waal offering an interpretation of Salto’s artistic influence.

Woolley & Wallis has a long history of curating single-owner collections and estates, and prides itself on having achieved very strong prices for such. This auction features the ongoing sale of the estate of the highly regarded craftsman Richard Batterham (1936-2021), which features numerous exhibition pieces for the V&A and the Craft Council.

About Woolley & Wallis
Woolley & Wallis, based in Salisbury and Mayfair, is one of the UK’s leading regional auction houses. The 20th Century Design department has achieved world record prices in its field and is well regarded for its finely curated sales, which aim to showcase rare and exceptional pieces for the dedicated collector. The department has achieved very strong prices for private collections and fine single objects alike, notably including the sale in 2023 of a Wiener Werkstätte silver and malachite tray, designed by Josef Hoffmann for Palais Stoclet Brussels, for £230,000. Client enquiries may be directed towards Max Fisher, Head of Design: mf@woolleys.live, +44 (0)1722 424505

Artists based in the United States are invited to apply for the Spector Craft Prize for Emerging Artists, a national juried award supporting makers with seven years or less of studio practice. Open to disciplines including ceramics, textiles, woodworking, glass, metalwork, basketry, and paper arts, the prize offers a $10,000 award, mentorship opportunities, and a growing professional network. Created by the Spector Family Foundation to champion excellence in American craft, the prize launches at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2026. Applications are due March 1, 2026.

Artists based in Canada are invited to apply to Medalta’s annual Community Artist Exhibition, presented in the Yuill Family Gallery within Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District. Open to both emerging and established artists, the program welcomes solo or small-group proposals that explore creativity in any form, offering the opportunity to exhibit in one of Canada’s most distinctive heritage spaces dedicated to clay, craft, and innovation. Submissions are due December 15, 2025.

The 10th Biennale de Céramique de Sèvres (ArtCeram2) has recently opened its call for submissions, now aiming to reach a wider international community. The 2026 edition, held in Sèvres (France) from May 21 to June 7, invites established ceramic artists to submit sculptural works that demonstrate strong artistic vision and technical mastery. As a selling exhibition, selected artists will receive a dedicated display area, and a participation fee of €250 applies. Submissions close November 30, 2025.

 The Gardiner Museum in Toronto has reopened its fully transformed ground floor, marking its most significant renewal in two decades. The renovation introduces the Museum’s first-ever Gallery of Indigenous Ceramics, a new Makerspace, a Community Learning Centre, and reimagined Collection Galleries, all guided by principles of access, connectivity, and Indigeneity. The reopening also debuts a major new commission by artist Nadia Myre, whose ceramic installation greets visitors at the entrance. Additionally, two new shows are on view: Linda Rotua Sormin: Uncertain Ground and Femme Fatale: The Art of Jeannot Blackburn.

The Manises International Ceramics Film Festival (CICEMA) will hold its third edition this weekend at the Germanías Auditorium in Manises, Spain. The festival—Europe’s only film event dedicated exclusively to ceramics—screens documentaries, fiction, animation, and art videos exploring the medium’s many dimensions. This year’s program includes the City of Manises Award competition and the Prodesco Student Prize. Highlights include the opening screening of Paso Doble (2006) and a special presentation of Porcelain War, winner of the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.

Book recommendation: Irene Nordli: My Hands Just Keep Getting Bigger (2025). This publication showcases the oeuvre of Irene Nordli, one of the Nordic ceramics scene’s most renowned artists, and examines how her works have evolved over the past three decades. Known for her figurines and porcelain, and the interplay between body and material, her art is presented in a way that interweaves the personal, the artistic, and the historical. Buy the book from arnoldsche Art Publishers.

Our call for papers on ceramics is still ongoing. We invite submissions of critical essays, exhibition reviews, and research-based articles for upcoming issues of the magazine. In honoring our commitment to showing the evolving trends and concepts that shape contemporary ceramics, we welcome writing that deepens the understanding of clay as a material of artistic, social, and ecological inquiry. We seek contributions that approach ceramics through diverse perspectives — artistic, curatorial, historical, philosophical, political, or environmental. We offer at least $200 for selected articles.

 Ceramics Jobs Board:

• The Flint Institute of Arts (Flint, MI) is hiring an Art School Ceramics Programs Manager
• Boise State University (Boise, ID) is hiring an Assistant Teaching Professor of Ceramics
• East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Ceramics

Exhibitions

Discover this ceramic exhibition that was recently featured in Ceramics Now.

• Irene Nordli: Both Sides Now at HB381 Gallery, New York
• Alison Wing Yin Poon: A Constructed Home at Tache Gallery, London
• Tender Buttons at Musée Ariana, Geneva

What’s on View

A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.

1. Donté K. Hayes: Cosmic Artifacts at Jane Hartsook Gallery, New York
2. Martin Woll Godal: Forløp at Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall, Arendal
3. Lise Seier Petersen: Melting-pieces at Peach Corner Gallery, Copenhagen
4. Donna Green: Turning Toward at Seven Sisters, Houston
5. Megan Bogonovich: Fertile Ground at JLG Projects (Jane Lombard Gallery’s project space), New York
6. Mia E Göransson: System of Nature at Berg Gallery, Stockholm
7. Nick Ervinck: GNI-RI nov2025: Plants and Alterations at MOCA London, London
8. Martine Jackson: Contours at Art Formes, Cape Town
9. Ahryun Lee: Bloomimals at Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, Toucy
10. Thomas Schütte at Peter Freeman, Inc., Paris
11. Edmund de Waal: if you came this way at Gagosian, Beverly Hills
12. Midori Uchida: Trace of the wind at Gallery Crossing, Gifu
13. Lucian Țăran: ? at Galateea Contemporary Art, Bucharest

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Featured image – Martin Woll Godal: Forløp at Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall, Arendal

Posted on November 17, 2025

Job Title: Art School Ceramics Programs Manager
Location: Flint, MI
Department: Art School
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Reports to: Director of Art School
Remote Work Eligibility: Partial

About the FIA:
The Flint Institute of Arts is the second largest art museum in Michigan and one of the largest museum-connected community art schools in the United States. Each year, the FIA Art School offers more than 400 non-credit classes serving more than 2,200 students of all ages and skill levels.

The FIA’s ceramics facilities include two large, fully equipped teaching studios, a glaze lab, two gas reduction kilns, eight electric kilns, and raku firing. It is staffed by four part-time teaching artists who provide instruction as well as technical support including the handling and firing of more than 20 tons of clay each year. The ceramics staff also have opportunities to collaborate with FIA staff in other disciplines including glass, welding, painting/drawing, and more.
Position Summary:

In collaboration with the Art School Director, this new position will be responsible for oversight of ceramic facilities and supplies, course and workshop instruction, curriculum development, instructor/technician management, program efficiency, and the development of a long-term educational vision for the department.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
● Equipment maintenance and improvement
● Ceramic facilities upkeep and organization
● Oversight of firing process
● Studio demonstrations and outreach
● Instructor/technician training and mentoring
● Course planning, research, and instruction
● Firing and organization of student work
● Recruitment of students and supporters
● Development of new programs and cross-departmental collaboration
● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Skills Required:
● Ability to lead and develop a diverse staff of educators, artists, and technicians
● Strong interpersonal/customer service skills
● Effective written and verbal communication skills
● Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
● Demonstrated technical expertise in ceramics processes, firing, glazing, etc.

Education and/or Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on ceramics
• Two years post-college experience in professional or academic ceramics studio
• Two years teaching experience in higher education, community programs, private studios, and/or K-12.
• Managerial experience

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Apply To: dentrekin@flintarts.org OR mail resume, cover letter, and references to:
Donovan Entrekin, Director of the Art School
Flint Institute of Arts
1120 East Kearsley St.
Flint, MI 48503
No phone calls please.

The Flint Institute of Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

From Exhibition to Auction: Icons of Modern Ceramics at Maak

This November, Maak presents two significant auctions in Covent Garden, London. Leading with their principle Contemporary Ceramics auction – held twice per year – and followed by Elemental | Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, their annual auction dedicated to modern and contemporary works from Japan, the auctions celebrate the breadth and vitality of studio ceramics today.

With over 450 lots on offer across the two auctions, Maak brings together traditional and contemporary works representative of the best of British studio ceramics alongside notable names in international practice.

View the auctions:

Contemporary Ceramics traces the evolution of ceramic art across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, opening with early Anglo-Oriental pioneers such as Bernard Leach and William Staite Murray, before leading into a significant group of works by Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. A rare presentation of a group of important works by Ruth Duckworth is a highlight of the sale, her influence evident in the sculptural expression of makers including Donald Locke, Ewen Henderson, Gordon Baldwin, and Gillian Lowndes. The enduring appeal of John Ward is met with an exceptional range of his pots, while a rare early work by Magdalene Odundo from 1982 is another notable feature. Many works in the auction come from the highly regarded collection of Marc and Diane Grainer, which formed the focus of two auctions at Maak in May.

Running in parallel, Elemental | Contemporary Japanese Ceramics celebrates the rawness of nature in its purest form – minerals, earth, and fire – and how the Japanese ceramic masters have harnessed these unpredictable elements to extraordinary effect. The auction spans influential Mingei artists, including Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro, to the avant garde Sodeisha movement with works by Kumakura Junkichi and Hoshino Satoru, alongside renowned contemporary makers including Kondo Takahiro and Mihara Ken. Important contemporary female ceramic artists from Japan are also well represented, among them Ogawa Machiko, Koike Shoko, Sayaka Shingu and Tokumaru Kyoko, while a commanding large vase by the pioneering and singular Kamoda Shoji stands as a centrepiece of the sale.

Each May and November, Maak presents a series of auctions thoughtfully curated to reflect the extraordinary variety and depth of creativity within contemporary ceramics. However the team at Maak don’t simply catalogue the works – they love to build context. Whether it’s celebrating the stories of the maker or the collector, in bringing together an infinitely varied group of works from private collections around the world, Maak aspires to share the narratives that gives collectors and audiences alike a richer understanding of the work.

The ever growing popularity of ceramics and its narratives is evident in the remarkable number of important gallery and museum exhibitions dedicated to the medium in the past year, each bringing wider focus to this dynamic discipline and inviting audiences to consider the work in ever broader contexts.

In the US, Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan is a groundbreaking exhibition first presented by the Art Institute of Chicago and now travelling to other major US institutions. The exhibition focuses on 36 contemporary female ceramic artists from Japan whose innovative work has challenged traditional, male-dominated practices and the potential for clay as a radical medium. Ogawa Machiko (Lot 97), Koike Shoko (Lot 95), Sayaka Shingu (Lot 117) and Tokumaru Kyoko (Lot 96) were all represented in this seminal exhibition and have works being offered in the Maak Elemental auction.

Hans Coper was the focus of an important exhibition Hans Coper: Resurface in early 2025 at The Arc in Winchester. More than 20 of Hans Coper’s sculptural pots spanning his career – including two works loaned by Maak – were shown alongside three large scale murals that were uniquely presented together for the very first time. The Maak auction includes a select group of works directly from the Coper Family Collection (Lots 87-90), as well as an important Cycladic Form (Lot 91), an iconic work from the latter end of his career that exemplifies a refined distillation of all of Coper’s arctic concerns and principles.

In the UK, The Hepworth Wakefield currently has a major retrospective on show Elizabeth Fritsch: Otherworldly Vessels running until Spring 2026. The exhibition explores her diverse influences from classical and jazz music, mathematics, Surrealist literature, metaphysics, and architecture. Maak has offered a significant number of works by Fritsch over the years, establishing an auction world record for her work in 2024. Lot 217 in the forthcoming auction is an example of her quieter early work from the 1970s with further major work available by private sale.

Ceramics has become an important focus of The Hepworth Wakefield, who have built a reputation for delivering important ceramics exhibitions. Later this month will see the opening of Playing with Fire: Edmund de Waal and Axel Salto – previously presented at Kunstsilo, Norway and CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art, Denmark – where the work of acclaimed Danish ceramicist Axel Salto will be shown alongside a major new installation by Edmund de Waal reflecting on Salto’s enduring influence. The work of de Waal is always well represented in the Maak auctions and this November sees a selection of both early porcelain vessels (Lots 296-300) and a contemporary installation piece (Lot 301) by de Waal on offer.

Whilst Coper, Salto and de Waal have been extensively exhibited on an international stage, important retrospective exhibitions of less widely known artists are also on the rise. This summer saw the opening of the first major survey exhibition Donald Locke: Resistant Forms showcasing the Guyanese painter, sculptor and ceramicist, at Spike Island, Bristol. Charting the development of his work across Guyana, the UK and the United States over five decades from the mid-1960s to the late 2000, his ceramics that evoke human and natural forms feature heavily in the curation. The Maak Contemporary Ceramics auction includes a rare offering of two works by Locke (Lots 145 & 146) each with directly comparable examples selected for the exhibition. The exhibition is now showing at Ikon Gallery, Birmingham until February 2026.

Following two major presentations of new and historic work in the UK in 2024, November will see the opening of Magdalene Odundo at Xavier Hufkens in Brussels, Belgium showing a new body of ceramic vessels together with the large-scale glass installation ‘Transition II’ until January 2026. Lot 302 in the auction is a rare early example of Odundo’s work from 1982, where her practice was just becoming formalised before she started experimenting with increasingly complex forms.

As public institutions and galleries worldwide continue to stage landmark exhibitions dedicated to ceramic art the momentum behind the medium has never been stronger. Maak’s November auctions present a rare opportunity to experience many of these same artists’ works in one place, not behind glass but within reach. Whether you are a seasoned collector or newly discovering the field, these auctions offer the exceptional chance to encounter, study, and acquire works by makers whose significance is increasingly recognised on the world stage.

Both auctions are now viewing online. The Covent Garden gallery exhibition (40 Earlham St) and bidding will open on Saturday 15 November, with bidding closing on Thursday 20 November at maaklondon.com.

About Maak
Maak is the leading auction house specialising in contemporary ceramics and craft. Known for its expertly curated sales and dedication to showcasing the best in international ceramics and craft, Maak provides a platform for collectors to acquire rare and exceptional works from both established and emerging artists through both their regular auction schedule and private sales.

For the first time, the Fondation d’entreprise Bernardaud (France) is launching an international open call to spotlight emerging ceramic voices. Artists aged 18-40 are invited to submit works for a major exhibition held at the historic Bernardaud porcelain manufactory from mid-June 2026 to late March 2027. Participation is free, and selected artists will receive curatorial support, transport, and insurance for their work. Applications close November 30, 2025.

The Rothko Museum and the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Ceramics are inviting applications for the 14th International Ceramic Laboratory Symposium, taking place April 26 – May 16, 2026, in Daugavpils, Latvia. Ten selected professional artists will participate in a three-week residency at the historic Daugavpils Fortress, exploring experimental firing techniques and working in a shared studio environment. Accommodation, catering, basic materials, and two exhibition opportunities are provided. Applications are due January 31, 2026.

A quick reminder: several important ceramic competitions are closing soon. The XVII International Ceramic Biennial of Manises (Spain) has a submission deadline of November 20, 2025. The 43rd Concurs International de Ceràmica de l’Alcora (Spain) follows on November 30, 2025. And applications for the 6th International Ceramics Triennial UNICUM (Slovenia) are due December 1, 2025. If you’re planning to apply, now is the time to prepare your materials.

Blue Line Arts (California) invites artists worldwide to participate in its annual ceramics exhibition, Off Center. While they eagerly welcome submissions of all kinds—functional and non-functional pottery, sculptural works, jewelry, abstract forms, and mixed media—next year’s Off Center seeks to champion the ambitious and the avant-garde. Applications are due January 2, 2026. Submission fee: $35.

Artists based in Australia are invited to apply for Surface 2026, North Coast Ceramics’ Annual Award for Contemporary Ceramic Excellence. Open to all ceramicists and sculptors, the award celebrates artistic freedom and innovation without a set theme. Prizes include $3,000 for the First Prize and a Student Prize—an $875 woodfiring experience at Middle Pocket Pottery. Entries close December 1, 2025, and finalists will be exhibited at Civic Arts Space, Mullumbimby, NSW.

The Clay Studio (Philadelphia) is hosting three upcoming online talks as part of its Clay & Conversations series. Hear from artists Jennifer Ling Datchuk on November 20, Adebunmi Gbadebo on December 4, and Maia Chao on December 18, each from 1–2 pm EST. The conversations will explore their artistic practices and contributions to the Clay as Care exhibition. Free to attend via Zoom with registration.

The London Potters Annual Members’ Exhibition returned to The Morley Gallery, Waterloo, on October 29, presenting over 360 new ceramic works by 120 artists. On view until November 8, 2025, the show celebrates the creativity and diversity of London’s ceramics community, featuring everything from functional tableware to sculptural forms.

Celebrating ten years of making, The Kiln Rooms has grown from a single studio into one of London’s most vibrant ceramic hubs, with locations in Peckham and Farringdon. This November, their Festive Members’ Sale (November 28–30) returns to Peckham, featuring work from up to 100 local makers. Visitors can explore unique handmade ceramics, meet the artists, and support FiredUp4, a social enterprise bringing clay to young people across the UK. Read more about The Kiln Rooms.

Artists based in the European Union are invited to apply for the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project (TRSP), a new EU-funded residency initiative fostering collaboration between European and U.S. artists. Selected participants will spend eight weeks (April–June 2026) working alongside American peers in one of five U.S. residency sites — from Alaska to the American West — culminating in a public summit and exhibition in Washington, D.C. The program covers travel, accommodation, stipends, and materials. Applications close November 30, 2025.

Exhibitions

Discover this ceramic exhibition that was recently featured in Ceramics Now.

• Body Vessel Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art at Ford Foundation Gallery, New York

What’s on View

A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.

1. Wendimagegn Belete: Miss and Hit at Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo
2. Alice Gavalet: Pattern Play at Twenty First Gallery, New York
3. Gareth Mason: The Spoil Heap at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Paris
4. Sarah Allwine: Something for the Familiar at David B. Smith Gallery, Denver
5. Takuro Kuwata: Tea Bowl Punk at Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
6. Daisuke Iguchi: Time and Three Cornered World at Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto
7. Donté Hayes: Beyond Artifacts at Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami
8. Georges Mathieu Yassef: Idoles at Galerie Lefebvre & Fils, Paris
9. Penumbra, curated by 24/7, at Hypha Gallery Marble Arch, London
10. Lisa Bare: Black Birds at ADAMAH Ceramics, Columbus

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Featured image – Alice Gavalet: Pattern Play at Twenty First Gallery, New York

The Kiln Rooms – Pottery Classes and Studio Membership in London

Ten years ago, The Kiln Rooms began as a simple idea between two friends: to create a shared space for people to learn, make, and think through clay. Combining Ben Cooper’s expertise in arts management and hospitality, with Stuart Carey’s background as a professional ceramicist, the duo set out to create more than just a ceramics studio – they wanted to build a space where people mattered as much as the craft. What began as a modest studio has since evolved into a cornerstone of London’s ceramics community: a vibrant, inclusive hub grounded in craftsmanship, creativity, and community spirit.

Now, with studios in both Peckham and Farringdon, The Kiln Rooms continues to support makers of all levels – from complete beginners to professional ceramicists, offering everything from taster sessions and short courses to rolling memberships, artist talks, and masterclasses. At its core, the studio exists to bring people together. It’s a space where skills are honed, ideas are shared, and a diverse network of makers has taken root.

Guiding these makers is a carefully selected group of skilled teachers and technicians who bring their own approaches and perspectives to the craft. While their practices may vary, their teaching style is consistently open and supportive. This warmth runs through the entire team at The Kiln Rooms – from the admin staff to those on the work exchange programme – you’ll always find someone ready to share advice, a brew, or a helping hand.

That same spirit extends beyond regular studio time and into social events. This summer’s 10-year anniversary was marked by a celebratory festival of making, welcoming visitors into the studios for an inspiring weekend of makers’ showcases, enlightening talks, hands‑on demos, and meaningful connections. It was a testament to the community that’s formed around these spaces – warm, open, and quietly ambitious.

In a landscape where more ceramics studios are popping up across the capital, The Kiln Rooms continues to stand apart thanks to its thoughtful approach and dedication to supporting its makers, both new and experienced.

For those looking to dive into something new, reconnect with creativity, or offer someone else the chance to do the same, The Kiln Rooms offers a wide range of ways to get involved. One-off taster sessions and 5- and 12-week courses provide welcoming entry points into the world of ceramics, while private hire sessions offer the chance to share a fun, engaging experience with colleagues or loved ones.

Gift vouchers and credit notes, valid for at least a year, also make thoughtful presents. Providing priority booking access across all studios, they offer flexibility for the clay-curious or proud potters, keen for extra studio time.

For those further along their journey, open-access memberships provide space to develop a practice and become part of a wider network. Members benefit from spacious workspaces, high-quality equipment, flexible access, and regular opportunities to connect – including biannual studio sales where they can showcase and sell their work.

This November, the festive Members’ Sale returns to Peckham (28th–30th November), featuring work from up to 100 local makers. Visitors can browse unique handmade pieces, meet the artists, sip mulled wine, and support FiredUp4 – a social enterprise helping make clay accessible to young people across the UK.

As the year draws to a close, the event is a reminder of what makes The Kiln Rooms so special. After ten years in the making, the studio is still doing what it does best – shaping clay, and the community around it.

Call for applications: Fondation d’entreprise Bernardaud (France) 2026 Exhibition

For 23 years, in Limoges, the capital of French porcelain, the Fondation d’entreprise Bernardaud, created by Michel Bernardaud, has organized prestigious international exhibitions of contemporary ceramics at its historic manufacturing site. Countless stars of the global ceramics world have exhibited there over the years.

For the first time, in 2026, the Bernardaud Foundation is launching a call for applications to showcase the young international ceramic scene in order to give visibility to emerging talents.

The call for applications is open to ceramic artists aged 18 to 40 (inclusive), students, and professionals. Applications will close on November 30, 2025, at midnight (Paris time). The results of the selection process will be announced on December 10, 2025.

Exhibition dates: mid-June 2026 / end of March 2027

Exhibition curator: Stéphanie Le Follic-Hadida

Scenograhpy, transportation and communication are managed by the Fondation Bernardaud and its partners.

The application must be submitted to the following email address: exposition@bernardaud.com

To stay informed about the Fondation Bernardaud’s latest updates, please visit its official Instagram account: @fondationbernardaud

Conditions of participation are available on the website: bernardaud.com / “The Maison Bernardaud” / “The Bernardaud Foundation” / “Call for Applications 2026“

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
• Open to international ceramic artists aged 18 to 40 (included).
• Exhibition of a single work (or group of works) to be placed on a pedestal, wall, or floor, OR as an installation.
• Participation is free of charge.
• The Fondation Bernardaud covers round-trip transport of the loaned pieces, but the artist is solely responsible for their transport cases, which must comply with international shipping standards.
• The works are insured nail to nail by the Fondation during transport and while on exhibition.
• Exhibited works may be offered for sale. The Fondation Bernardaud commits not to receive any form of remuneration, direct or indirect.
• For the exhibition opening in June, the Fondation Bernardaud commits to covering round-trip travel between Limoges and Paris (or any other city in mainland France), two nights in a hotel in Limoges, as well as the meals within the Fondation Bernardaud. However, it does not cover international flights.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
• CV (name, copy of ID card or passport, email address, phone number, nationality, postal address, website and social networks, education, exhibitions).
• Description of the proposed work(s) and a statement of the concept.
• 10 high-resolution photos of ceramic or mixed-media works (where ceramics are predominant) created within the last 5 years, with captions (title, date, materials, dimensions, copyright).
• 1 high-resolution photo of the submitted work, captioned (title, date, materials, dimensions, copyright).
• 1 high-resolution color portrait of the artist, captioned (copyright).

We’re excited to announce a new call for papers for publication in Ceramics Now Magazine in 2026. Ceramics Now invites submissions of critical essays, exhibition reviews, and research-based articles for upcoming issues of the magazine. In honoring our commitment to showing the evolving trends and concepts that shape contemporary ceramics, we welcome writing that deepens the understanding of clay as a material of artistic, social, and ecological inquiry. We seek contributions that approach ceramics through diverse perspectives — artistic, curatorial, historical, philosophical, political, or environmental.

The Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, Montana) invites applications for its 2026 artist residencies. Up to seven long-term residencies (each with a $7,500 fellowship) and nine summer residencies ($1,500 scholarships) will be awarded to ceramic artists working across functional, sculptural, and conceptual forms. 2026 marks The Bray’s 75th anniversary, promising an especially dynamic and busy year of creative exchanges. In addition, one international long-term residency will be offered for 2027, also supported by a $7,500 fellowship. Applications close December 17, 2025.

CRAFT – Center for Research on Fire and Earth Arts (Limoges, France) invites applications for its 2026 international residency. Open to artists, designers, architects, and collectives, the 12-week program supports visionary projects that merge innovation with traditional ceramic expertise. The residency includes a €6,000 grant, up to €3,000 for production costs, accommodation, travel, and technical support. The project will culminate in an exhibition, publication, and international visibility. Applications are due December 31, 2025.

The Keramikkünstlerhaus Neumünster (Germany) invites applications for the Ceramic Artist Exchange – Tandem 2026. Six seven-week residencies will be awarded to pairs of artists from different generations, focusing on contemporary ceramics, intercultural dialogue, and collaboration. Residents receive free studio and living space, use of equipment and materials, and a €700 grant. The program culminates in a public presentation of works created during the residency. Applications are due November 9, 2025.

 The European Ceramic Festival Terralha (Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, France) invites applications from ceramic artists across Europe for its 2026 edition, taking place July 12–14, 2026. Twenty artists will be selected to present site-specific installations in unique indoor and outdoor venues throughout the historic village. Terralha offers an immersive encounter with contemporary ceramics through exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Participation fee: €180. Applications are open until January 15, 2026.

Last week, we announced the artists selected for Ceramics Now’s 15-Year Anniversary edition (to be published in December 2025). This special edition will celebrate 15 years of Ceramics Now, a milestone that marks our belief that ceramics today is as diverse, vital, and forward-thinking as it has ever been. We’re sincerely grateful to everyone who applied and are excited to continue following many artists who captured our attention.

The 17th Aveiro International Biennial of Artistic Ceramics (Portugal) has just opened, transforming the city into a major stage for contemporary ceramic art. Running from October 18, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the Biennale features performances, talks, and no fewer than twelve exhibitions across museums, galleries, and public spaces, including the main competition with 96 artists from 36 countries. Congratulations to the winners: Hanna Miadzvedzeva (1st Prize), Fernando Garcés (2nd Prize), and Shiyuan Xu (3rd Prize).

Applications are open for the Manchester Ceramics Fair 2026, taking place at the Whitworth Art Gallery between March 6-8, 2026. The fair will feature 70 ceramic makers across two floors, a ticketed private view, and Sunday workshops. Artists can apply for a makers’ table or to lead a workshop until November 16, 2025. The event offers a vibrant platform for showcasing contemporary ceramics in a major UK venue.

The first edition of Ceramic Art Fair Paris opens this week at the Maison de l’Amérique latine (October 21–25, 2025), bringing together 22 international galleries dedicated to ceramics and glass. Coinciding with Paris’s contemporary art week, the fair offers collectors, curators, and art lovers a refined selection of modern and contemporary works. Alongside the gallery presentations, a series of talks and encounters will explore current directions in ceramic art and its dialogue with design and architecture.

Book recommendation: Linda Lighton: Love and War — A Fifty Year Survey, 1975–2025 (Radius Books, 2025) celebrates five decades of bold and subversive ceramic sculpture by American artist Linda Lighton. Through works that intertwine wit, sensuality, and activism, Lighton explores the charged intersections of sex, power, and politics. This richly illustrated monograph features new scholarship situating her feminist, politically engaged practice within the broader evolution of contemporary ceramic art. Buy the book: Bookshop.org (US) or Amazon (world).

Exhibitions

Discover these ceramic exhibitions that were recently featured in Ceramics Now.

• Phoebe Collings-James: The subtle rules the dense at KINDL – Centre for Contemporary Art, Berlin
• Manu-Facture: The Ceramics of Lucio Fontana at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
• What Holds: Ceramic Boxes and the Language of Containment at Vessels + Sticks, Toronto
• Francesco Ardini: Lo Sguardo di Mercurio at Limbo Contemporary, Milan
• La Première Fois – The First Time at Galerie Nicolas Robert, Montreal

What’s on View

A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.

1. Jim Melchert: Where the Boundaries Are at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, San Francisco
2. Tetsuya Yamada: 7 Sculptures and Paintings in Ceramic at Paula Cooper Gallery, New York
3. Jasmin Anoschkin: Come On Ketchup & Candy Animals at Makasiini Contemporary, Turku
4. Clémence van Lunen. Une joyeuse intranquillité at Keramis, La Louvière
5. Claire Lindner: Flaming Wings at MAAB Gallery, Milan
6. Karim Boumjimar: Mouths, Vessels, Portals at Alice Folker Gallery, Copenhagen
7. Kimberly Chapman: Eighty-Six Reasons for Asylum Admission at UB Anderson Gallery, Buffalo, NY
8. Ideas in Hand at Gallery LNL, Sydney
9. Malene Hartmann Rasmussen: Hjernetåger at Centre Céramique Contemporaine La Borne, La Borne

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Featured image – Clémence van Lunen: Une joyeuse intranquillité at Keramis, La Louvière

Ceramics Now announces a new Call for Papers

We’re excited to announce a new call for papers for publication in Ceramics Now Magazine in 2026.

Ceramics Now invites submissions of critical essays, exhibition reviews, and research-based articles for upcoming issues of the magazine. In honoring our commitment to showing the evolving trends and concepts that shape contemporary ceramics, we welcome writing that deepens the understanding of clay as a material of artistic, social, and ecological inquiry. We seek contributions that approach ceramics through diverse perspectives — artistic, curatorial, historical, philosophical, political, or environmental.

Submission deadline for proposals/pitches: January 15, 2026.

We are particularly interested in:
• Critical essays and research articles — Exploring ideas such as materiality, sustainability, ecology, identity, temporality, and postcolonial or cultural frameworks in ceramic practice.
• Reviews and features — Covering key exhibitions, biennials, fairs, and collaborative projects that expand the field of ceramics.

Examples of topics we’d like to cover:
• Representation and access in contemporary ceramics — how race, geography, class, and institutional structures shape visibility and opportunity.
• Sustainability and ethics — material sourcing, ecological impact, and evolving sustainable practices within ceramic production and exhibition.
• The ceramic art market — how visibility, institutional validation, and collecting trends shape artistic direction.
• Pedagogy and transmission of knowledge — how ceramics is taught, learned, and passed on across institutions, community studios, and informal settings.
• Interdisciplinary and post-disciplinary practices.

Please note that this call for papers is not intended for artist profile submissions.

Before submitting an article, you are encouraged to contact the editor at vasi@ceramicsnow.org with a brief outline of your proposal. We prioritize articles grounded in original research that have not previously been published elsewhere.

• Articles should range between 1500 and 3000 words.
• Please include high-resolution images with appropriate credits.
• Along with your article, provide a short biography.
• We offer at least $200 for selected articles, made possible through the support of Ceramics Now’s patron subscribers, who contribute to our Writers Fund.
• We can assist with arranging guided tours, securing exhibition tickets, and setting up relevant meetings.

Articles published in Ceramics Now and Ceramics Now Magazine reach a broad international audience passionate about ceramic art. Over 50,000 people read Ceramics Now each month, and the publication reaches around 600,000 monthly views on social media. More than half of our readers are from the US, 25% are from the EU, and 15% are from the UK.

All our content is accessible to everyone and free of charge. Ceramics Now is an independent publication sustained by its members. Their support allows us to commission and publish new writing, ensuring that critical discourse around ceramics remains accessible to all.

Ceramics Now has been a member of the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC-IAC) since 2023.

We’re looking forward to receiving your submissions!

This special edition will celebrate 15 years of Ceramics Now, a milestone that marks our belief that ceramics today is as diverse, vital, and forward-thinking as it has ever been.

From over 950 submissions across 73 countries to our open call, we selected the following 24 artists whose works define contemporary ceramics now:

The 24 selected artists will receive a dedicated artist profile in the anniversary issue (digital and print-on-demand), along with publication on our web platform, newsletter, and social media pages. Their work will be promoted to Ceramics Now’s large global audience of arts professionals interested in ceramics and will benefit from permanent archival visibility on our website.

We’re sincerely grateful to everyone who applied and are excited to continue following more than a hundred artists who captured our attention.

Read the original open call.

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).

Exhibitions

Discover these ceramic exhibitions that were recently featured in Ceramics Now.

• Languages: Rosaire Appel and Robert Ellison – A Life in Art & Collecting at Sculpture Space NYC, New York
• Pernille Pontoppidan Pedersen: Vous ne pouvez pas l’avoir comme papillon préféré s’il n’est plus là at Galerie Maria Lund, Paris
• Form of Content: Tadaaki Kuwayama, Yuji Ueda, and Anna Gleeson at Alison Bradley Projects, New York
• Nina Malo: Ceramic Sculpture at Galerie Marianne Brand, Carouge, Geneva
• Woodfire 2025 and Ian Jones: Metamorphic at Gallery LNL, Sydney
• Kadri Pärnamets: Muraka at Ferrin Contemporary, Cummington, MA

What’s on View

A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.

1. Rando Aso: Innerspace at Nonaka-Hill, Los Angeles
2. Inhwa Lee: At the Edge of Light at Galerie Maria Wettergren, Paris
3. What Holds: Ceramic Boxes and the Language of Containment at Vessels + Sticks, Toronto
4. Jo Taylor – BCB Award Winner Artist Showcase at Vessel Gallery, London
5. Nora Arrieta / Keiyona Stumpf at Galleria Antonella Villanova, Florence
6. Sèvres Extraordinaire! Sculpture from 1740 until Today at Bard Graduate Center Gallery, New York
7. Sculpting the Earth: Natalie Bevan, Psiche Hughes & Ann Stokes at The Holburne Museum, Bath
8. Mel Arsenault: Floranymphisme at Florian Daguet-Bresson, Paris
9. 22nd Annual Ceramics Invitational at Abel Contemporary, Stoughton, WI
10. Tender Buttons at Musée Ariana, Geneva

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Featured image – Nora Arrieta / Keiyona Stumpf at Galleria Antonella Villanova, Florence

Call for Applications: The 6th Siegburg International Ceramics Award

Artists all over the world are invited to apply to the 6th Siegburg International Ceramics Award until October 5, 2025.

The 6th Siegburg International Ceramics Award, endowed with a total of €7,000 (1st prize: €4,000, 2nd prize: €2,000, 3rd prize: €1,000), focuses on current ceramic trends and is intended for professional ceramists who are invited to submit individual, innovative works, regardless of subject matter.

The works should demonstrate an independent artistic perspective within contemporary ceramics as well as an outstanding handling of the material. The works must not be older than three years and must not yet have won an international award.

The award ceremony will take place at the opening of the exhibition on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. in the Stadtmuseum Siegburg. The selected works will be presented in the temporary exhibition of the Stadtmuseum Siegburg (Markt 46) from February 1 to April 12, 2026.

Further information and the terms and conditions of participation can be found at keramikstadt-siegburg.de

Featured images: The 5th Siegburg Ceramics Prize, 2024. Photos by Helge Articus