The 25th Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium will take place from July 16 to August 9, 2025. This is a continuous, long-standing professional ceramic art event that has been organized in Panevėžys since 1989. These symposiums have had a clear impact on the development of contemporary ceramics in Lithuania. To date, 24 symposiums have already been held in Panevėžys, with the participation of 186 artists from 37 countries around the world, and a collection of nearly 700 large-scale stoneware ceramic works has been amassed. This symposium is the main and largest event dedicated to ceramic art in Lithuania. In the Baltic States, it is one of the three main events of this kind.

The aim of the 25th symposium is to present the development trends of contemporary ceramics and the search for new forms through the creative process and its achieved artistic result. The theme of the 25th symposium, „Open Windows,” aims to draw attention to ceramic art from regions not yet presented in previous symposiums, revealing how local traditions interact with the contemporary global environment. „Open Windows” represents new territories of artistic exploration for both the international event, its participants, and the audience of contemporary ceramic art.

Historically, the origins of the Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium are related to cross-border cultural exchanges. Initially, artists who came to the little known city from various corners of the world viewed Panevėžys as a mysterious, undiscovered, and exotic place. Now Panevėžys is well known on the global ceramics map (also Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery became a member of International Academy of Ceramics in 2017). However, in the face of the global world, there are still many countries whose representatives have not participated in this event. In order to open up unexplored territories of ceramic art, the 25th symposium will pay special attention to ceramists from new (in the context of the event) countries and to those artists whose work examines questions of national identity.

The organizers of the 25th anniversary Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium invite artists to submit applications to participate in the 2025 symposium.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Selected artists shall sign a participation contract (artists who have not signed a contract will not be able to participate in the symposium).

The Participants shall create and donate at least two artworks each, one of them must be suitable for outdoor spaces (a deed of gift and a transfer of property rights agreement are signed). The symposium concludes with an exhibition of the works created during the event at the Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery. The created works add to the Art Gallery’s collection of contemporary ceramics, which has been accumulated since 1989. Participants must physically spend at least 85% of the total symposium time at the symposium.

ORGANIZER

Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery (Panevėžio miesto dailės galerija)

TIME AND PLACE

16 July – 9 August 2025, Panevėžys.

PARTICIPANTS

Having passed the selection process based on the application submitted, 9 artists will be invited.

All participants will travel to the Symposium and back at their own expense.

The participants are required to have a valid health insurance.

After the symposium, all participants will receive a one-time honorarium of 500 euros (bruto).

BOARD AND LODGING

Organizers shall bear the expenses of participants’ board and lodging.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

  • Necessary ceramics equipment and materials will be provided by the organizers.
  • The clay will be composed of clay powder and chamotte (grog) of the same clay with chamotte fractions 1,00 mm. Each participant is given up to 150 kg of clay. Natural gas will be used for kiln firing. Kiln dimensions: 1.4 m (H) x 1.2 m (W) x 2.4 m (L) (1.2 m + 1.2 m). Shelves might be used during the firing. Firing temperature: from 1250ºC to 1280ºC. Firing process lasts three days.
  • It will be possible to use smaller electric kilns at participants’ own expense.
  • It will be possible to temporarily use the potter’s wheel.
  • It will be possible to use main materials for glazes.
  • It is recommended to bring your own tools and materials (suitable for the above mentioned firing temperatures).

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF THE SYMPOSIUM

July 16  Arrival of participants
July 17  Symposium opening ceremony
July 23, 29  Demonstrations of individual techniques and participants’ pre-recorded presentations
August 1–4  First firing session
August 2–3  Cultural program for participants
August 4–7  Second firing session

August 8  Exhibition opening and symposium closing ceremony
August 9  Departure of participants

Exhibitions

August 8 – September 14  Exhibition at the Art Gallery in Panevėžys

October 6 – November 3  Exhibition at the „Pelėdų Kalnas” Gallery in Kaunas

November 6–30  Exhibition at the Lithuanian Artists’ Association Gallery in Vilnius

 

ARTIST PRESENTATIONS, PERFORMANCES

During the symposium, there will be two creative evenings featuring participating artists. Artists are invited to demonstrate their individual techniques or conduct other artistic performances. Only selected demonstrations will be presented to the audience. Additionally, artists are encouraged to prepare a 5-minute pre-recorded presentation of their work in .mp4 format.

The creative evenings are intended for a broad audience with an interest in ceramics.

 

DONATION

The Symposium will end with an exhibition of works created during the Symposium in the Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery. Participants shall create at least 2 works of art.

The Gallery has set up a library of art publications that is constantly being expanded. Organizers would be grateful if the participants could donate to this library publications that reflect trends of arts in their own countries: books, catalogs, magazines and so on.

 

PROCEDURE

Please complete the online application and submit the following attachments:

  • Sketches of the planned ceramic artworks;
  • A brief description of the proposed individual technique demonstration or other artistic performance;
  • A portfolio of completed works (at least 10 photographs);
  • A description of your artistic practice.

Applications will be accepted until February 23, 2025.
Participants will be selected by a specially appointed selection committee consisting of artists, art historians, and curators in the field.

FINAL PROVISIONS

By completing the application form, participants confirm their agreement with the participation terms.
The organizers are not responsible for any expenses incurred by the applicant in anticipation of participating in the symposium.
The organizers reserve the right to modify the symposium terms.
The organizers are not obligated to disclose the reasons behind the selection results.

 

Application form

More info: parodos@arspanevezys.lt

 

PROJECT IS FINANCED BY

 

                     

 

 

Gediminas Kartanas photo: 24th Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium, 2023.