The week’s news in the ceramic art world – March 20, 2025

Around this time last year, we shared a list of residencies for ceramic artists based in the US. Applications for Artist in Residence programs are typically accepted in March and April. Most of the residencies listed are also available in 2025, and some are fully funded.

NCECA’s 59th Annual Conference, Formation, is taking place at the end of this month in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event promises a wide range of experiences and exhibitions for everyone who wants to dig deep into the historical and cultural significance of ceramics. The conference is anticipated to have around 5,000 attendees, including artists, designers, educators, students, and scholars. Various arts organizations, groups of artists, and galleries across the region will hold exhibitions during NCECA. Read more about the event and have a look at the exhibitions program.

Applications for the 2025 New Members Election to the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC-IAC) are open until May 31, 2025. Visit the IAC website for more details about the requirements and the application form. Candidates must be nominated by three individual members of the academy.

Applications for the 6th Siegburg International Ceramics Award (Germany) are open until October 5, 2025. The award is dedicated to current ceramic trends and is aimed at professionally working ceramists who are called upon to submit individual works independent of theme. Three prizes will be awarded: 1st prize of €4,000, 2nd prize of €2,000, and 3rd prize of €1,000.

Every Wednesday, from March 12 to May 21, at 2 pm (CET), you can learn more about this year’s Faenza Prize finalists in a series of live meetings on YouTube. In dialogue with Claudia Casali and the jury members, the selected artists will discuss their work. The 63rd edition of Premio Faenza will take place between June 28 and November 30, 2025, at MIC Faenza, Italy.

The North West Ceramics Foundation is pleased to announce its next Speakers Series, which will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 1 pm PST, featuring Eliza Au. Her talk, The Architecture of Solace, will discuss the influence of architecture and pattern in sacred spaces on her work. She is interested in how sacred spaces facilitate and fulfill the human need for meaning and understanding of the unknown through pattern and ornamentation. The presentation is free and open to all.

The Ceramics Program at the Office for the Arts at Harvard invites artists to apply to its 2025-26 Artist in Residency program. The residency allows artists to engage in research and growth, pushing their art in new directions in a dynamic, urban studio connected to the Harvard community. Individuals will have the opportunity to build relevant skills in research, professional development, technical ability, creative problem-solving, teaching, and community involvement. The application deadline is April 4, 2025.

Atelier Retiro recently announced its Summer 2025 Artist Residency Program in Guimarães, Portugal. The program includes self-guided residencies and four sessions, each concluding with a collective exhibition at Nº6 | Ceramic Gallery. Sessions cover ceramics for beginners, advanced sculptural techniques, raku, tile-making, and jewelry design. Classes are taught in English and Portuguese. The program encourages community engagement and supports emerging artists through donations, ensuring continued artistic exchange.

Applications are open for two Italian ceramic fairs: the Lucca Pottery Festival (May 31 – June 2), with the application deadline on March 30, and the Verona Pottery Festival (September 27–28), with applications due by April 12. Participation fees range from €130 to €180.