The Panevezys International Ceramic Symposia

images from Panevezys

Ceramic symposia are a valuable event and an asset in three respects. First, they show that ceramic art is retaining its vitality. Secondly, They allow for the exchange of ideas and flights of creative thought and conception. And, finally, they widen the spectrum of ceramics and pave a way for broader and more objective considerations. So, what is so distinctive about a symposium?

It is the only venue for a gathering of professionals in a working environment where art is created. The event has clear-cut goals, an open programme, a potential for significant discoveries and, finally, an atmosphere that leaves no room for monotony. Original and interesting artists are invited to take part and interact at the symposium. The time spent among artists of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds provides an opportunity to understand principles and ideals, which is impossible to achieve through mass media or the written word. Working together provides a way for sharing ideas and learning about artistic standards and philosophies from other countries of the world. The resulting influences will no doubt gain importance in the future.

I would like to describe three events of the kind that are organised in Lithuania. The Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium has been held in Lithuania since 1989. It was initially conceived by Tomas Daunora, Arnas Rutkus and Rimantas Skuodis as a continuation of the national symposia, which was initiated by Alvydas Pakalnis in 1974. The symposium in Panevėžys takes a unique position among ceramics-related events in Lithuania. It is the longest continuous creative ‘laboratory’ of ceramics. The sixteen symposia to date have been attended by artists from different countries. It has also generated a unique collection of chamotte ceramics that consists of over 600 pieces acquired during the 16 years of the symposia. The collection reflects international trends in ceramic art, as well as presents the work of Lithuanian artists. Archived and exhibited at Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery, the collection of works is of high artistic and historic significance, and is the only collection of this type in the Baltic countries.

The Panevėžys International Ceramic Symposium is organised by Panevėžys Civic Art Gallery. Until 2004, its workplace used to be Panevėžys Glass Factory, and in 2006 it moved to the ceramics company ‘Midenė’. High firing temperature (1380oC) is suitable for outdoor sculpture.

Initiated by the artists Irena Petravičienė and Aldona Keturakienė, the international bone porcelain symposium ‘Idea’ has been organised in Kaunas since 1991. The symposium emphasises and encourages experimentation. The workplace of the symposium is the porcelain factory ‘Jiesia’ in Kaunas. The high firing temperature of 1280oC and unique qualities of bone porcelain set up excellent conditions for both creative work and experimentation.

The symposium brings together porcelain artists from all over the world and promotes the exchange of creative ideas and experience among mature artists and those of the younger generation. The works created at these symposia are shown at exhibitions, while part of them is presented to Kaunas M.K. Čiurlionis Art Museum for its permanent collection.

Vilnius Art Academy has been organising creative ceramics seminars every second year starting from 1998. They were initiated by two ceramic artists – Professor Juozas Adomonis and Rytis Jakimavičius. They revived Vilnius International Ceramic Symposium that took place here in 1971 and 1975, initiated and organised by Juozas Adomonis who was the head of the academy’s Ceramics Department at the time. Teachers from higher education institutions in many countries create valuable works, exchange creative ideas and share their methods of teaching ceramics. The venue of the creative action – the academy’s Ceramics Department and its studio – is perfectly suited for educational purposes.

The ceramics symposia held in Lithuania point to flourishing creative life and successful artistic education. For artists, they provide an excellent learning opportunity and facilitate the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. They offer an excellent opportunity of meeting up for professional artists, and that of enriching for national art schools.

The importance of the symposia cannot be overstated, and I hope that they will continue in Lithuania and spread throughout the world.

Jolanta Lebednykienė
Organiser of Panevėžys International Ceramics Symposium,
Member of the International Academy of Ceramics