#29 – A message from a Ukrainian ceramist
Ceramics Now Weekly #29 features a message from Ukraine, the week's news in the ceramics world, and new featured artists.
Hello! Welcome to the 29th edition of Ceramics Now Weekly. This is Vasi Hirdo, the founding editor of Ceramics Now.
Happy International Women's Day! 🌷 Let’s see what's new.
Dear Ceramics Now audience,
This is Yuliya Makliuk, a fellow potter from Ukraine. At least I was a potter until two weeks ago, but I'm not sure if this is the case anymore. I had to flee my home and my studio. On the 24th of February, I woke up at 5 am to the sounds of rocket shelling on Kyiv. I woke up my husband and said to him "Russia has attacked us". Since then, we live in what seems to be a never-ending nightmare. I'm sure you have seen the news.
While our army and volunteers do everything possible and impossible to resist the invasion, ceramicists of Ukraine also try to help our people. There are several ways to provide support from abroad if you're willing to help:
1. Buy charitable digital posters from Ukrainian artists on Etsy. Unfortunately, there's virtually no way to send physical goods like ceramics at the moment.
If you are an Etsy user, search for digital items from Ukraine. We will send this money to local humanitarian organizations or the national army. I'm just one of many and here's my shop.
2. Host a Ukrainian ceramic artist in your studio. Fill out this form if this is something you can do.
Be it for a couple of days or half a year, any help is vital now. Many women, some with kids, are forced to leave their homes and studios to save their lives. European countries are a priority, as it is easier to get there and the visas have been waived.
3. Many international aid organizations accept donations for war relief in Ukraine. Choose the one you trust and send some help if you can. I would recommend SaveLife In UA and Hospitallers.
4. Also, Ukraine needs political support from our partner states that is commensurate with the scale of Russian aggression. Please petition your authorities and representatives to provide defense measures, financial aid and impose sanctions on the aggressor. Every day of delay costs the lives of Ukrainian civilians and is a threat to broader Europe.
We have received immense solidarity over these weeks. The people of Ukraine are grateful for every step taken by people of goodwill from all over the world.
New artists featured on Ceramics Now
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The week’s news in the ceramic world
🙏 I stand firmly against war and in support of Ukraine and peace. I would like to thank Yuliya Makliuk for helping ceramic artists and others who got caught in this heartbreaking conflict. Her message was also published in Ceramics Now here, if you'd like to share it.
⭐ There's only one week left until NCECA 2022 - Fertile Ground, the 56th Conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, which will take place in Sacramento, California. This is probably the largest event dedicated to ceramics, featuring almost 100 lectures & demonstrations, and over 90 concurrent exhibitions organized in the greater Sacramento area. Make sure to check the preliminary schedule & register for the event if you can make it in person. Remote registration for online lectures is also available for a discounted fee.
📢 Applications are open for The Clay Studio's Resident Artist Program in Philadelphia. The program offers individuals the opportunity to further develop their work, to establish professional contacts and standards, and to work within a community of like-minded individuals in an urban environment for up to three years. Applications deadline: April 1.
👍 Applications are also open for Clay Art Center's Artist-in-Resident program in New York. Their program is uniquely designed for emerging artists who need time and space to develop their voices. Residents gain invaluable experience working in a community environment, teaching classes, sharing their technical knowledge and expertise, and managing jobs around the studio. Applications are due April 8.
🔥 Maak Contemporary Ceramics, an auction house dedicated to ceramic art & studio pottery, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary. They are currently hosting East Meets West | Selections from the Dr John P Driscoll Collection, an auction bringing a wide selection of important works to market. The bidding will conclude on Thursday.
💬 Joan B. Mirviss invites you to an online panel discussion with artist Kondō Takahiro on March 17, in celebration of his latest exhibition at the gallery in New York. The artist will join live from Kyoto for an in-depth discussion about his creative process, the challenges posed by his sculptures, and his fascinating legacy. Registration is free.
🏞 WorldStoke 2022, an international symposium of woodfiring, artist demonstrations, and discussions to address social equities in ceramic art will take place later this week at Penryn Workshop in California. The event features kiln firings (woodfire, salt, raku), demonstrations, group discussions, gallery openings, and more.
🔍 Peter Callas: An Enduring Legacy and 50 Bowls in 50 Kilns in 50 States is on view at The American Museum of Ceramic Art / Shiro Tsujimura is on view at Axel Vervoordt, Wijnegem / Chris Miller: It goes where it must is on view at A-B Projects, Los Angeles / Vinça Monadé: Éloge de pierres is on view at Le Fil Rouge, Roubaix / Raku is on view at Contemporary Ceramics, London / Steven Edwards: Infinite Folds is on view at Vessel Gallery, London / Warren MacKenzie: Boxes and Jars is on view at Lucy Lacoste, Concord / Monumentality, a virtual exhibition about size is on view at Jason Jacques Gallery / Haylie Jimenez & Sydnie Jimenez: Give em' pleasure. Give em' hell is on view at New Image Art Gallery, Los Angeles / SOWN is on view at Fe Gallery (Fence World), Sacramento
Do you have news that you’d like to share with the world? Let me know—reply to this email.
Exhibitions
Have a look at these ceramic exhibitions that were recently featured on our website.
The Fourth Dimension is on view at Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, Mashiko, Japan
Waiclay is on view at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Constructed Landscapes: Brick, Tile and Pillar is on view at Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
Julie Cromwell: Origins and Evolution is on view at Sanderson Contemporary, Auckland
Kamoda Shōji: The Art of Change is on view at Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
Instagram inspiration
Oleksandr Miroshnychenko (left) and Hanna Drul (right)
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