The week’s news in the ceramic art world – July 18, 2023

• I recently returned from a trip to Italy, where I had the pleasure to be a jury member for the 30th Competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art “Mediterraneo” in Grottaglie. Located in Puglia, the city is known for its unique ceramics quarter, with over 70 artists working exclusively with ceramics. The competition provides a platform for historical and cultural exchange, bringing together local and international artists and promoting a vibrant atmosphere of multicultural creativity.

The Mediterraneo competition carries a name that evokes the allure of the Mediterranean Sea. Although Grottaglie does not have direct access to the sea (but is very close by), this event celebrates the timeless beauty and shared connections of the Mediterranean, transcending boundaries and inspiring artistic exchange. In this article, you can read about the competition’s history and view a photo gallery of the exhibition, which is on view through October 8.

Congratulations to the winners of the 30th edition: Karima Duchamp (1st Prize “Mediterraneo”) and Monika Patuszyńska (2nd Prize “Personal Exhibition”). Honorary Mentions: Simcha Even-Chen, Vilma Villaverde, Francesco Carriero, Hanà (Denis Imberti and Stefano Tasca), and Chisato Yasui.

• Applications are now open for the fifth edition of the Officine Saffi Award, the international prize exploring contemporary ceramics. Awards include a €10,000 First Prize, a Young Artists Prize of 5,000 Euro, and six Residency Prizes developed in collaboration with important international institutions such as Fundación Casa Wabi (Mexico), Bruckner Foundation (Switzerland), Museo della Ceramica di Savona (Italy), Guldagergaard (Denmark), International Ceramic Art Festival Sasama (Japan), and Gaya Ceramic Arts Center (Indonesia). Participation is free. Applications are due November 9, 2023.

• There are two weeks left to send your application to the 2024 Taiwan Ceramics Residency Program. Organized by the Yingge Ceramics Museum, the residency program is open to foreign and domestic artists and can support stays for up to three months. The museum provides every artist or team with round-trip travel subsidies, essential studio materials up to a maximum value of ~$1000, as well as a shared apartment and semi-open studio space. Applications are due July 31, 2023.

• Last month, the International Contemporary Ceramics Competition MARTINSONS AWARD 2023, held within the Latvia Ceramics Biennale, announced the list of selected artists. The winners of the Martinsons Award 2023 will be revealed during the exhibition’s opening reception on September 8.

• Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of visiting the 62nd Faenza Prize exhibition at MIC Faenza, and this is one of the best displays of contemporary ceramics I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend visiting this show, which is in view through October 29. Here’s a preview.

• Applications for the 2024 NCECA Annual are open until August 9. The exhibition, titled “Rendered Fusion: Clay, Connection, Attention” and curated by Elizabeth Schlatter and Lauranett Lee, will be held at the University of Richmond Museums in Richmond, Virginia. The entry fee for non-members is $45, and international artists are also welcome to apply.

• The EKWC invites artists to participate in their twelve-week residencies. They’re looking for an imaginative work plan, experimental attitude, or a strong concept; something you’d like to achieve that would only be possible with the facilities or advice of the experts at the EKWC. The deadline for applications is August 31. A residency at EKWC costs over €6500 (with a grant).

• There are so many events to catch up with, and here are some of them in chronological order. You can find glimpses of these events on their Insta/FB pages (links provided below):

The Festival of High Temperatures took place between June 23-25 in Wroclaw, Poland
The Saint-Sulpice Céramique fair took place between June 29 – July 2 in Paris, France
The International Ceramics Festival took place between June 30 – July 2 at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales
The Argillà Argentona fair took place between July 7-9 in Argentona (near Barcelona), Spain
Terralha – The European Ceramic Festival took place between July 14-16 in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, France
The annual ACGA Clay & Glass Festival took place between July 15-16 in Palo Alto, California, US

• What’s On View: In Good Company: Nicole Farhi + Lucille Lewin is on view at The Harley Foundation, North Nottinghamshire / Steven Edwards: Gourmet Delights is on view at Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, Toucy / Cathy Franzi: Coast to Coast is on view at Sabbia Gallery, Sydney / William J. O’Brien: Bowls Crucibles Receptacles is on view at Ackerman Clarke, Chicago / Amia Yokoyama: Unfurling Edge is on view at Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles / Avital Sheffer: Filia is on view at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London / Handbuilt is on view at Oxford Ceramics Gallery, Oxford / Small Works Invitational 2023 and José Sierra are on view at Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis / Anne Wenzel: Carte Blanche (Fuck The Dictator) is on view at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, the Netherlands