○ The Korea Ceramic Foundation will offer hands-on programs as part of the 2026 Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale International Ceramic Workshop throughout October
– Artists from the Netherlands, Australia, and Korea will lead programs on creating ceramics with urban dust glazes, making new works from clay and ceramic fragments, traditional onggi pottery, and more
– All programs are free of charge, but prior reservations are required for some, with on-site participation possible if there are still spaces
– A special cultural exchange event on October 9 will celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Australia, featuring ceramic experiences, music performances, and discussions
The Korea Ceramic Foundation will operate hands-on programs as part of the 2026 Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale International Ceramic Workshop from October 2 to 18 at the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art and its creative studios.

The workshop’s hands-on programs allow participants to experience the creative process by making works with clay as well as a variety of materials alongside artists from Korea and abroad. Throughout October, artists from the Netherlands, Australia, and Korea will present a range of interactive programs exploring themes such as cities and the environment, nature and materials, and tradition and community.

All programs are free, although eligibility requirements, capacity, and participation methods vary by program. Prior reservations through the official website are required for some programs. On-site participation is also possible if spaces are available.

Led by Dutch artist Iris de Kievith, “Smogware Korea: From Urban Dust to the Dining Table” by Lab AIR uses dust collected from downtown Icheon City as material for ceramic glazes. Participants will apply the dust-based glaze to ceramics, share food served in Smogware dishes, and discuss air, cities, and the environment. Open to participants aged 13 and older, the program will run on October 3, 9, and 10.

Korean artist Sim Da-eun’s “Long and Noisy Coincidences” invites participants to collect clay and ceramic fragments from around the museum, break them down, and reshape them into new forms. Consisting of “Walking the Land” and “Fragments and Records,” the program will take place at the creative studios and around Seolbongsan Mountain from October 2 to 11.

“Shaping Memories of the Land with the Hermannsburg Potters” by the Indigenous Australian ceramic group Hermannsburg Potters introduces Central Australia’s natural environment and community life through clay, painting, and storytelling. The program will run at the creative studios from October 8 to 11, with a special program scheduled for October 9 on the outdoor lawn of the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art. The program is open to participants of all ages.

Korean ceramic artist Kim Chang-ho’s “Breathing Vessels: Onggi” introduces participants to the traditional process of making onggi, or Korean earthenware, and gives them the opportunity to make a small onggi vessel themselves. By observing the artisan’s work, participants can experience traditional Korean ceramic-making techniques and learn about the distinctive properties of the materials used. The program will run on October 9 and 10, and it is open to elementary school students and older participants.

Of particular note, the “Korea-Australia Cultural Exchange Day” will be held in conjunction with the International Ceramic Workshop on October 9, Hangul Day, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Australia. Organized in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Korea and supported by the Australian Government’s International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund (ICDAF) and Creative Australia, the event will also bring together Korean ceramic artists and master artisans to exchange ideas on ceramic art and craft cultures in Korea and Australia as well as community and creativity.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., hands-on ceramic activities will be hosted on the outdoor lawn of the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art with the Hermannsburg Potters and Kim Chang-ho along with a performance by Australian musician Bumpy. A variety of commemorative gifts will also be provided to event participants. This will be followed by discussions and talks featuring Korean and Australian artists and experts from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the shared space on the second floor of the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art.

The special discussion—themed “Building Landscapes, Shaping Landscapes”—will bring together architect Jang Young-cheol and ceramic artist Choi Sung-jae to explore the spaces and landscapes created through architecture and ceramics. In addition, the program will feature talks with curator Natalie King and the Hermannsburg Potters and with Australian craft expert Kevin Murray.

The Open Studio program, which offers visitors an up-close look at artists’ actual creative processes, will also run from October 2 to 11. During the second session, participating artists will include Lab AIR, Kim Chang-ho, Sim Da-eun, and the Hermannsburg Potters. Studios at the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art as well as the creative studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can attend without making reservations.

Meanwhile, programs by artists who participated in the first session of the International Ceramic Workshop in September will continue as follow-up activities. The participatory workshops by Maja Quille, David Rauer, Sakamoto Kai, and Scenocosme will be run by dedicated educators based on the artists’ working methods and program content, and they will continue through October 18. The programs have been extended so that visitors can continue to experience the creative process and ideas behind the works firsthand, even after the artists’ on-site participation has ended.

For detailed schedules and advance reservations, visit the Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale website at gcbiennale.org.

“The International Ceramic Workshop allows artists and visitors to work with clay and other materials together and experience how artworks are created,” said Ryu In-gwon, president of the Korea Ceramic Foundation, adding, “I hope visitors will discover a variety of materials and stories alongside artists from Korea and abroad and experience ceramic art from a fresh perspective throughout October.”

The 2026 Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale will run through November 1 at Icheon Cerapia, Gwangju Gonjiam Ceramic Park, and Yeoju Ceramic World.