Korea's premier ceramics festival invites visitors to touch clay

The Korea Times - Oct 9, 2026

Visitors to one of Asia’s foremost ceramic celebrations are doing much more than admiring gallery displays this autumn — they are sinking their hands into wet clay and embarking on interactive treasure hunts. At Icheon Cerapia, the main hub of the 2026 Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, the Korea Ceramic Foundation has launched a series of hands-on community events running through Nov. 1. Designed to make traditional and contemporary ceramic arts approachable for general audiences, the weekend festivities invite families, couples and art lovers to actively participate in the creative process. Located in Gyeonggi Province, just an hour south of Seoul, Icheon has served as the heartland of Korean pottery for centuries. The region played a pivotal role in the production of Joseon-era white porcelain and Goryeo celadon, leveraging its rich natural clay deposits and historic kiln sites. Today, the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale bridges cultural heritage with modern artistic expression, drawing ceramicists and collectors from around the globe. Among the standout interactive

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