82 - A call for entries (Latvia Ceramics Biennale)
Ceramics Now Weekly #82 features a call for entries, an interview with Danijela Pivašević-Tenner, the week's news in the ceramics world, and new featured artists.
Hello! Welcome to the 82nd edition of Ceramics Now Weekly. This is Vasi Hirdo, the founding editor of Ceramics Now.
I hope you are doing well today 👋 Before we begin, I'd like to highlight the January 2025 issue of Ceramics Now Magazine, which features Mai-Thu Perret's interdisciplinary work on the cover. The issue includes several essays and reviews and is our longest so far, with 120 pages and no ads. Magazine access is free for Ceramics Now members. Learn more about subscriptions and join our community here if you haven't already done so.
Let's see what's new.
Applications are open for the Martinsons Award 2025 International Ceramics Competition
The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Ceramics, in cooperation with the Rothko Museum, announced an open call for the MARTINSONS AWARD 2025 International Ceramics Competition under the 5th Latvia Ceramics Biennale. This edition's theme: From Stardust to Lush Sprouts. Applications are due April 30, 2025.
Latvia Ceramics Biennale is a key event in contemporary ceramics in the Baltic Sea region, attracting artists from all over the world and seeking to develop and promote contemporary ceramics in Latvia and the Baltics. The central event of the biennale is the Martinsons Award – an international juried exhibition held on the premises of the Rothko Museum as a testament to the current vitality of ceramic art and a tribute to Pēteris Martinsons – the world-renowned Latvian ceramicist. The 5th edition of the biennale will take place between September 5, 2025, and February 1, 2026.
Clay as a living material: Danijela Pivašević-Tenner's conceptual approach to ceramics and sustainability
By Kristina Rutar
“I first met Danijela Pivašević-Tenner in 2016 during my Tandem residency in Neumünster, Germany. As I was taking my first steps as a ceramicist, Danijela immediately challenged my understanding of the material. Her work made a lasting impression on me: installations transforming into paintings—the drying slip covering various utilitarian objects would begin to develop mould, creating new life and continuing its course on its own. Could a material have its own life without our interference? Could unfired clay even be considered ceramics? Why was sustainability so important to her? Why were most of her works unfired, and what was her understanding of the materials she used? And finally—why were these questions so important?
Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Danijela at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. Observing her approach to teaching and her philosophy of understanding her primary material opened new perspectives, which I’m eager to share with Ceramics Now readers. I hope you’ll find this interview as engaging as I enjoyed discovering new ideas through my conversation with Danijela Pivašević-Tenner.”
New featured artists in Ceramics Now
The week’s news in the ceramic world
🗒️ Last month, we announced a new call for papers inviting thought-provoking essays, exhibition reviews, and features that address significant movements or major events in the field. We particularly encourage essays that examine current trends and concepts in contemporary ceramics, drawing connections across a diverse range of artists and practices. Thank you to everyone who has already sent their proposals, and we look forward to receiving more by February 16.
⚡ ceramic brussels, the first international contemporary art fair dedicated to ceramics, is back this week with its second edition. With more than 60 galleries, institutions, and key players in ceramics, along with a special focus on Norway – ceramic brussels wants to strengthen the fair’s appeal in Europe and mark its international opening. The fair also maintains its Art Prize and announced Elizabeth Jaeger as Guest of Honour of the 2025 edition. Read more about the fair and book your tickets.
🏆 There are only a few days left to apply for the Virginia A. Groot Foundation Grant, offering 60,000, $30,000, and $20,000 to ceramic artists with exceptional talent and demonstrated ability in ceramic sculpture. International applicants at any stage of their career development are welcome to apply. Applications are due February 1, 2025.
📌 Applications are also open for the C14 Paris 2025 show, held during the first week of October in Paris. C14 PARIS offers exceptional visibility to 32 artists and puts ceramic artists in touch with institutional venues, art galleries, and collectors. Participation fee: €350. Applications are due February 16, 2025. They also have an ongoing call for ceramic performances.
👌 The American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) welcomes applications for 2025-2026 residencies. The Artist in Residence Program provides self-directed artists time, space, and support to experiment and develop a new body of work in a creative and supportive environment. Residencies last 9-12 months. Open to US-based artists. Applications are due January 31, 2025.
📙 Book recommendation: The Essential Pottery Notebook: The Secret to Successful Kiln Firings by Kara Leigh Ford. This all-in-one resource includes fill-in templates for sketching your designs, writing your glaze recipes, and recording over 100 kiln firings. It also includes essential tips and guidance for achieving accurate kiln firings. The guide is designed to help potters build confidence and maintain greater control over their kiln. Buy the book on Bookshop.org (US) or Amazon (world).
🌿 Entries are now open for the 2025 MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design, a national award for Australian designers/makers. The winner of the MAKE Award will receive a cash prize of $35,000 with a second prize of $10,000, making it the richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia. The award is open to designers/makers working across all disciplines, including ceramics, glass, furniture/woodwork, metalwork, textiles and fiber, and jewelry.
Do you have news that you’d like to share with the world? Let us know—reply to this email.
Exhibitions
Discover these ceramic exhibitions that were recently featured in Ceramics Now.
🔍 What's on View
A selection of ceramic exhibitions currently on view around the world.
Roxanne Jackson: UNKNOWN GIANTS at Anton Kern Gallery, New York
Oracles from Far & Near at the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics, Leeuwarden
Terence Wilde: Erogenous at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London
Anne Tophøj: Heavy hand - Upper ground floor at Peach Corner Gallery, Copenhagen
Thank you for reading Ceramics Now Weekly!
This edition was sent to 19,520 subscribers.
❤ Did you enjoy reading this newsletter?
Ceramics Now is a reader-supported publication specializing in contemporary ceramics. Subscribe today and help us spotlight the world of ceramic art.
You can also forward this email to a friend and tell them where to subscribe (here).
Are you looking to promote an event? Advertising with Ceramics Now is the ideal way to reach a global audience of arts professionals who are passionate about ceramics.
We also welcome submissions and proposals for feature articles.
See you next time! 🙌