A 5-Day Online Ceramics Festival. May 25th-30th 2022. All Online!
THE AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS CONGRESS
You get to Attend Workshops, Talks, and Q&As from:
Browse the Stalls of our Virtual Makers Market:
Got a Problem? Ask our Clay Doctors.
As well as having 72-hours of amazing-jam-packed-mind-blowing workshops from world-famous ceramic artists (which are all in English or with subtitles)…
We will also be organizing an online 3D exhibition to focus on Australia and Australian artists! We will be having Australian workshops and live Q&A’s, studio tours, cooking classes, and some fun challenges too! You won’t want to miss this!
Australian Focus
- Australian Online 3D Exhibition
- Australian Workshops
- Australian Q&A's
- Australian Cooking Class
- Australian Challenges
Why are we organizing The Ceramics Congress?
Hey, my name’s Joshua, and I run The Ceramic School.
And it’s my great pleasure to organize this event for the ceramics community.
This is a full on 5-Day Online Ceramics Festival like no other! Inside you will find…
- The Ceramics Community! It’s an amazing weekend for connecting with the worldwide ceramics community. (We will also be having open discussions, games, and some challenges to win prizes)
- 72-hours of Workshops & Q&A’s from World-Famous Ceramic Artists – watch their masterclasses, and then jump on stage and ask them questions face to face.
- An Online Exhibition & Artist Meet & Greet focusing on Australian Ceramicists.
- Clay Doctors – we have 16 experts taking your questions and trying to fix problems that you may have.
- Virtual Makers Market – we will be having a two hour session on Saturday/Sunday where you can browse and buy pottery from our artists virtual booths – organized & curated by Chanakarn Semachai (Punch)
- Vendors / Expo Booths – for product demos, Q&As, discounts and special offers from your favourite ceramics companies.
When I started this online ceramics conference in 2018, it was because I simply couldn’t afford to fly my family out to a large ceramics conference in the USA… I couldn’t take the time off work, I couldn’t afford the flights, or the hotels, or the food… But I didn’t want to miss out on the amazing ceramics content being shared, and I wanted to meet and talk with my clay idols.
I think many of us here have the same issues with attending live events. And like many of us here today, I have always tried to do absolutely everything myself… But especially over the last two years, when most of us have been forced to hide inside, and be alone, this is one of the most valuable lessons I have learned this year: You need the support of your friends, and of the community. We are stronger when we are connected, and the ceramics community is the most open and supportive group of people I know.
And it’s amazing that we can all come together, from all walks of life, and create this online conference, and combat the big problems in the pottery world at the moment. You see, going to art fairs, workshops, and demos in real life are all amazing… You meet new people, learn new techniques, and most of all, have fun with old and new friends. But traditional ceramics conferences across the world are very restrictive in terms of who can join in and consume the information…
They are physically at one location.
Which you normally have to fly to.
This excludes a whole lot of people.
- Ceramic artists from around the globe miss out on the opportunity to talk about their passion and share their knowledge.
- Aspiring potters who are too far away miss out on learning new techniques and ideas.
- Parents who can’t leave their children at home miss out.
- Ceramic Students who can’t afford a ticket miss out.
- People in time-intensive jobs who can’t get away from work miss out.
- Pottery companies who can’t show off their latest products because of expensive booth fees miss out.
And even if you can take time off work, find a babysitter, book a hotel, book a flight or a train, drive for hours, pay for meals out…
On top of that, ceramics conferences normally charge an expensive entry fee for you to enter (usually a couple hundred dollars!)
This also excludes a ton of people who want simply cannot afford to attend…
and so even more potters miss out on learning something new and being inspired by something different.
It comes as no surprise that there are some big problems with real-life conferences around the world. Conferences are significant contributors to CO2 emissions, pollution, and wasted food and water.
- The average conference attendee produces over 170 kilograms (375 lbs) of CO2 emissions per day.
- At a conference with 5,000 people, almost half (41%) of rubbish will go directly to landfill. (This is despite recycling and composting program efforts.)
- A three-day conference for 1,000 people creates on average 5,670 kilograms (12,500 lbs) of waste.
Well, imagine if you could attend a ceramics conference without traveling?
What if you could have the world’s top ceramic artists come to you, instead of you going to them?
What if we could cut out the venues, the travel, the expense?
What if you could join in the discussions and workshops and share your own experiences?
We believe that real learning comes from joining in and taking part.
We believe that you can learn something new from anyone, and your own experience and your own personal insight will benefit others if you have the possibility to share.
We believe there should be no secrets in ceramics.
These are the ideas that lead us to create The Ceramics Congress.
We have all the same features and energy of real-life events, but online.
You get to see amazing potters host inspiring talks/demonstrations…
You get to have the fun and excitement of being surrounded by other like-minded potters.
But, in a way that’s accessible as possible.
And, instead of charging a super expensive entry fee to cover the venue, the food, the staff, etc… We only charge you a small entry fee to help cover the costs of running our online software.
- You get to attend the conference at a very affordable rate.
- You get to see world-famous Ceramic Artists talk about their passion and share their insights.
- You get to network with other like-minded potters from around the world, all from the comfort of your own home.
- You get to see the latest and greatest pottery related products from famous pottery companies from around the world.
- And, you have the opportunity to buy the workshop replays at 95% off.
- We split this revenue with our speakers so that they get paid.
As you can see, it’s our aim is to Educate, Inspire and Inform people about ceramics.
We want as many people as possible, including the general public, to be able to see, and be inspired by, these great demo’s and talks (which are normally held behind closed doors)
We believe that this is the future of ceramics conferences.
- The Main Stage – for workshops, talks and demos.
- Group Sessions – for open round-table discussions, Q&A’s and Clay Doctors, and group workshops.
- One-to-One Networking, for spontaneous video chats with random potters from around the world.
- Online Expo Booths – full of your favorite pottery companies giving live product demos and discounts, and answering your questions.
So far, we have helped just under 100k people from around the world view ceramic-based workshops from potters they wouldn’t normally be able to… and we’ve paid out over $100,000 to our speakers.
Sound good?
I hope to see you there.
Cheers,
Josh
Joshua Collinson
Founder of The Ceramics Congress
Explore our Virtual Exhibition Hall:
Meet the Team
Vipoo
Vipoo Srivilasa
Vipoo Srivilasa:
Art Director
As a Thai-born Australian artist, a cross-culture experience is in my blood and it is my passion to share this experience with others.
Working in a foreign country often questions my assumptions of what life is about and ultimately it helps me become a better artist. Facing cultural divergences also help me understand the conflicts and contradictions in race, religious and sexual discrimination from personal, regional and global points of view. It is the reason why I love working with The Ceramics Congress, a platform that helps promote this very idea.
Through The Ceramics Congress, a perfect mix of art, technology, and community, artists around the world can exchange ideas, techniques, experience and culture in ways that I have never able to do before.
IG: VipooArt
Web: www.vipoo.com
Carole
Carole Epp
Carole Epp:
Moderator, Exhibition Hall Manager & Cat Herder
Hey there! I'm Carole, aka Musing About Mud, aka completely obsessed ceramic collector, artist, writer, and curator.
I'm a maker of illustrative pottery filled with narratives of love, life and all aspects of the human condition. My passion for ceramics and community building began back in my undergrad, but let's not talk about how long ago that was!
It's decades later and I've since been involved with a lot of incredible projects over the years and am thrilled now to be a part of the Ceramics Congress as well, helping to bring together artists and community.
IG: MusingAboutMud
Web: www.MusingAboutMud.com
Fabiola
Fabiola De la Cueva
Fabiola De la Cueva:
Moderator, Challenge Master & Tech Support
Hola! My name is Fabiola, I go by Fab (as in fabulous and modest) 😉
My day job is a software engineer, the rest of the time, all my thoughts lead to a kiln. I love everything related to ceramics and glazes. My motto is to not become attached to clay, it is only mud.
I have been working with mud, as a hobby, since 2001 but I still consider myself a beginner because I have not figured out yet how to pull handles consistently. I love learning and I take as many workshops and classes as I can. I am continuously testing and exploring new techniques.
My clay work reflects my search of finding that elusive border right in between order an chaos. Currently, that search has me wandering through the world of geometric patterns and art and how I can translate them onto ceramics.
I love being a moderator for the Ceramic Congress where I can represent and give voice to shy clay enthusiasts everywhere. I feel like a groupie with a backstage pass. It is a privilege to get to meet so many wonderful ceramic artists around the world.
IG: fabs_designs
Chanakarn
Chanakarn Semachai
Chanakarn Semachai:
Virtual Makers Market
Hello! My name is Chanakarn Semachai or you are welcome to call me Punch, I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2019 I earned an MFA degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, USA. And now I am teaching fulltime at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
During my time aboard, I have faced new and unforgettable experiences which have changed my life and the way I make art. Living in a totally unfamiliar world has had lasting impressions, and has affected my work.
In the beginning, I found that I was slowly and unconsciously changing into a new person and trying hard to blend into the new society and culture. Eventually, I shifted back to myself, although a new, better version of myself.
I realized that people from all around the world share similar feelings and you don't need to fit in to be happy. And thanks to The Ceramics Congress which incredibly making this ceramic world smaller, bringing us closer and I can’t be happier and more honored to be part of the team.
IG: @numpucsh
WEB: www.numpucsh.com
Bear
Bear
Hi, my name is Ya-Li Won, but everyone calls me Bear. I am originally from Taiwan, and have called Canada my home for the past six years. My first experience with clay was in 2018 at a beginner throwing class held by a community pottery group. Since 2021 I have been pursuing pottery full-time in my tiny home studio.
Clay gives me the feeling of freedom: that I can create anything I want. Even when I don’t have a clear idea in mind, I can follow my hands wherever they lead. The uncertainty of ceramic work attracts me, its slightly chaotic nature is an endless source of mystery and intrigue. My
ceramic work is mostly functional, incorporating bright colours, textures, and a sense of play. (They are mostly animals!)
Since learning of its existence in 2019, I have attended every edition of The Ceramic Congress. I feel very fortunate to be a member of a community which is so generous in sharing its experience and knowledge. Attendance has given me the unique opportunity to make connections with artists and craftspeople from all over the world. It is my honour to contribute to this exciting event.
Josh
Joshua Collinson
Joshua Collinson:
Founder of The Ceramic School
Hey, my name's Joshua, and I run The Ceramic School & The Ceramics Congress.
I studied Fine Art, then 3D Animation, and then ended up being a computer programmer and business coach. In 2016, after 10 years behind a desk, I decided that I wanted to connect with my creative side again. That's when I created The Ceramic School Facebook page as a way for me to share my passion for pottery.
In 2018 I wanted to travel to an American Ceramics Conference with my wife and two boys, but I could not afford the flights, the tickets, the accommodation, the restaurants... So I decided I would invite my favourite ceramic artists into my own home in Austria by organizing an online ceramics conference 🙂
Since 2019, I have been running 2 conferences each year. It's my aim to make The Ceramics Congress the best weekend of the year, and hopefully you will think so too!
FB: The.Ceramic.School
IG: The.Ceramic.School
"I love having the opportunity to hear from such diverse potters worldwide & to learn new ideas & techniques even though I live on the other side of the world."
"Extremely helpful and inspiring for me! I loved being able to have a “workshop” at home because it’s tough for me do things like this being a stay at home mom."
"The Pros answered questions I didn’t know I had. I enjoyed the studio side, especially nebbing around in the cool kids work places. Thanks for talking about the business side. No one ever talks about that, most helpful."
"So much varied information to choose from! I really liked that there was a variety of methods and topics covered. Also, it wasn’t just artists in North America."
Ready to learn something new?
Get Your Ticket Now
After the Congress, these workshops will be sold separately for $39-$59 each.
Save over $1,500 when you get your ticket now.
Free Sponsored LIVE TICKET
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Sponsored by members of The Ceramic School
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Admission to The Ceramics Congress
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Watch Workshops, Q&As, Discussions, Clay Doctors, Virtual Makers Market
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Watch Live - No Replays
Admission & Replays
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Admission to The Ceramics Congress
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Don't worry about missing a Discussion or Workshop
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Lifetime access to The Ceramics Congress Replays
LIVE TICKET
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Admission to The Ceramics Congress
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Watch Workshops, Q&As, Discussions, Clay Doctors, Virtual Makers Market
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Watch Live - No Replays
If you would like to support this free ticket offer, you can visit this page to make a donation – Donate a Ticket
Please Note:
Prices are excluding tax. You may be charged added tax depending on where you live in the world.
All prices are in USD.
Your bank will automatically convert USD into your own currency when you checkout.
$29 USD is around: £21 GBP, €25 EUR, $35 CAD, $39 AUD.
$79 USD is around: £59 GBP, €69 EUR, $99 CAD, $108 AUD,
$159 USD is around: £119 GBP, €139 EUR, $199 CAN, $217 AUD
Early Bird Tickets
Early Bird Tickets are on sale until April 30th 2022.
100% Risk-Free Money Back Guarantee
For only $29 for 120 hours of workshops – you can’t really go wrong! But if for any reason you are unhappy with the weekend workshop content, we will give you a full refund.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Yes!
What an offer!
120 Hours of jam-packed pottery workshops – for just a $10 Early Bird Ticket!
It’s going to be like a Real-Life event!
This time around, we are going fully interactive.
We want to be together.
We want to make real connections.
And because of these wants; we have some brand new software that can have up to 100,000 potters all online at the same time.
This means we will be watching the workshops on the main stage altogether, and talking with each other in the live chat room.
We will be talking with each other face to face in live 20 person group calls like you would with friends and family.
We will be networking with random attendees in quick 5 minute chats.
We will be hosting live demos from our vendors in their online expo booths.
This will be a completely new experience, like nothing you have experienced before.
It’s like going to a real-life 3-day conference, but online.
And… all for just $10!
We’re so sure you’re going to LOVE The Ceramics Congress, that we will give you 100% of your money back if you don’t.
Awesome!
You get a FREE Live ticket with your Ceramic School Monthly Membership!
If you would like to keep the replays, you can upgrade your ticket during The Ceramics Congress weekend.
We have a jam-packed event for you:
Main Stage
On the main stage, we will be hosting live pottery workshops, music, and meditations.
Group Sessions
We will be hosting group discussions, tackling a range of topics – from design to business.
These will be moderated, and also open – which means you also get to join in the conversation by turning on your mic & video.
Networking
A bit like speed dating – you get to talk for up to 5 minutes with a random attendee from around the world!
Expo Booths
All your favorite pottery companies will be here showing off their latest pottery products, and giving you lots of special discounts 🙂
- Join in our Kick-Off VIP Party before The Ceramics Congress starts,
- Access to the backstage area during the whole weekend, where our speakers will be.
This special offer is only valid until shortly after The Ceramics Congress.
After that, you will be able to purchase the individual replays, but they will be $39 – $59 each.
That’s over $1370 if you were to buy them all individually!
You will be logged into our website instantly and automatically, where you can access all of the videos.
You can then either watch the replays online, or save them to your device.
Your Username and Password will be emailed to you.
Yes!
Once we have the replays, we will edit them and put on English captions!
Yes – as soon as you login, you can download the videos to your Computer, Laptop, Tablet, or Smartphone.
If you buy the Live Ticket, then the workshops will be available to watch during the weekend.
If you buy the Replay ticket or the VIP Ticket, then you get the workshop replays for life!
Once you purchase the workshops replays, you have lifetime access to them!
After The Ceramics Congress has ended, you will receive an email with your username and password to login to this website. This login info does not expire. You can use it to login for the rest of your life 🙂
You can either log in to this website and watch your videos online,
Or, you can download them as many times as you want, to all of your devices.
You can even download them and put them on a DVD for ease of use.
If you are not completely blown away by The Ceramics Congress, then we will give you a full refund!
The schedule will be coming shortly!
It takes a while to organize 72 hours’ worth of content.
We will be kicking off with a warm-up day full of challenges, discussions, and some workshops too…
Then on Friday, we will be moving onto 72 hours of workshops and Q&As starting:
Los Angeles: 05:00 AM
Texas: 07:00 AM
New York: 08:00 AM
London: 13:00 PM
Vienna: 14:00 PM
Seoul: 22:00 PM
Melbourne: 12:00 AM Midnight.
And then we will be having one final cool-down day to relax and regain your energy.
The main event will run for 72 hours back-to-back!
1-hour workshop, then 1-hour Q&A, then 1-hour workshop, then 1-hour Q&A… etc
Wherever you are in the world, you will be able to tune in and see something amazing!
No problem 🙂
Your Credit Card / Bank / PayPal will automatically convert USD into your own currency when you checkout.
$10 USD is around: 10 GBP, €10 EUR, $15 CAD, $15 AUD.
$59 USD is around: 45 GBP, €45 EUR, $79 CAD, $79 AUD,
$99 USD is around: 79 GBP, €79EUR, $129 CAN, $129 AUD
Customer reviews
We’ve received hundreds of 5-star reviews over the years… here are just a couple of them!
