ICEX Korean Ceramics Festival

ICEX Korean Ceramics Festival is a landmark international ceramics event hosted by Queen City Clay in Cincinnati, bringing together 10 master ceramic artists from Korea for an immersive weekend celebrating traditional and contemporary Korean ceramic practices.

For three days, audiences are invited into a rare cultural exchange showcasing centuries-old techniques alongside innovative contemporary interpretations. Each artist represents a distinct ceramic discipline, offering live demonstrations, lectures, and finished works that illuminate the depth, philosophy, and technical mastery of Korean ceramics.

Featured techniques include:

Onggi
Celadon Sanggam
Ttugak
Moon Jar
Double-Walled Vessels
Double Bowl Moon Jar
Saggar Firing
Faceted Vessels

Festival Schedule Overview

Friday, May 29,2026, 6-9pm: Opening Reception

Meet the artists, experience their work up close, and enjoy an exclusive opportunity to purchase original pieces in an intimate gallery setting.

Saggar Firing is a ticketed activity purchased in advance. Participants can load their piece to the firing scheduled to fire Friday night and unload to see results on Sunday afternoon. Only 30 spots are available and tickets are sold until 6pm on May 29th. You can bring your own burnished bisquware or purchage on of the artist's pieces. You must be present to load your piece into the saggar which will be loaded into the kiln at the close of the evening. See ticket description for more information.

Saturday & Sunday, May 30-31, 2026, 10am - 5pm: Main Event

Each artist presents live demonstrations and talks on a shared main stage, offering insight into technique, history, and artistic philosophy. This format allows audiences to experience a wide range of processes while highlighting the individuality of each artist.

ICEX is designed for ceramic artists, collectors, students, educators, and anyone passionate about global craft traditions. Whether you attend one day or the full weekend, ICEX offers a rare opportunity to witness techniques seldom seen outside of Korea.

By supporting ICEX, donors and sponsors help:

• Bring master ceramic artists from Korea to the U.S.
• Preserve and share traditional ceramic techniques
• Create meaningful cross-cultural dialogue
• Provide educational access for artists, students, and the public

Your generosity directly supports artist travel, lodging, materials, translation services, and fair compensation, ensuring that this exchange is both ethical and impactful.

Opportunities to experience these techniques live are exceedingly rare outside of Korea. ICEX positions Cincinnati as a center for global ceramics dialogue and strengthens Queen City Clay’s role as a leader in cultural programming.

Depending on level of support, donors and sponsors may receive:

• VIP Festival Passes
• Invitations to private events with the artists
• Public recognition online and onsite
• Acknowledgment in printed and digital materials

We invite you to partner with us in making ICEX Korean Ceramics Festival a transformative experience for artists and audiences alike.

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Host or Publisher Miki Shim