Panevėžys once again becomes a centre of international attention — yesterday marked the official opening of the 25th International Ceramics Symposium, which brings together artists from six countries around the world. The event, lasting nearly a month, will invite not only for observations. Participation in exhibitions, educational events, and exploration of contemporary ceramics as one of the most dynamic fields of modern art is very much welcome.

"Each symposium is an opportunity for Panevėžys not only to observe but also to experience the process of contemporary art. I am delighted that for a quarter of a century, our city has been an important location on the international ceramics map, and the works created here enrich a unique collection in the Baltic region. This creative journey and the exhibition opened today — showcasing the transformation of contemporary ceramics over the decades — once again prove that Panevėžys is open to art and to the world. That is the spirit of Panevėžys – like all us," said Mayor of Panevėžys Loreta Masiliūnienė during the opening ceremony.

This Year’s Theme: “Open Windows”

The theme of this year’s symposium is “Open Windows,” reflecting the intention to view ceramics from new perspectives and to bring creative experiences from different regions of the world to the city.

The Participants are:

• Mette Maya Gregersen (Denmark)
• Aivars Baranovskis, Elina Titane (Latvia)
• Malwina Kowalewska (Poland)
• Elena Laurinavičiūtė, Eglė Einikytė-Narkevičienė (Lithuania)
• Manuel Seita (Portugal)
• Nataliia Antypina (Ukraine)
  
  

Symposium Highlights

Participants will work at the “Midenė” ceramics company studios in Dembava, where their works will be fired in a high-temperature kiln. In August, the completed pieces will be exhibited at Panevėžys City Art Gallery, and later shown in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Naujamiestis. Ultimately, the works will become part of the gallery’s stoneware ceramics collection, which already includes nearly 700 large-scale pieces and compositions.

New Exhibition: “Shaping Chamotte: Ceramics of the World and Lithuania in the 1990s”

It was opened during the symposium launch. It features works by 11 internationally recognized artists, revealing the transformations in contemporary ceramics and the artistic trends of the 1990s.

Public Events

In July and August, the public will be able to attend demonstrations of ceramic techniques, presentations of artists’ work, a raku ceramic firing demonstration, and guided tours of the “Midenė” studios. On August 8, the symposium will conclude with the opening of an exhibition featuring works created by the participants.