Artists are working at three Bolesławiec plants: “Ceramika Artystyczna” Spółdzielnia Rękodzieła Artystycznego, Zakłady Ceramiczne “BOLESŁAWIEC” Sp. z o.o., Fabryka Naczyń Kamionkowych “Manufaktura” Sp. J. Smoleński & Zwierz, and in the ceramic and sculpture studios of Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury – Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki.
Artist presentations
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday (9, 10 and 11 August), multimedia presentations of the artists’ work will be held in the conference room of BOK – MCC, pl. Piłsudskiego 1c:
9 August, 18:00
- Zinaida Blyzniuk from Ukraine
- Dominika Pinczak from Poland
- Katarzyna Plucińska from Poland
- Dean Smith from Australia
10 August, 18:00
- Jakub Biewald from Poland
- Wiktoria Borowiec from Poland
- Mateusz Grobelny (symposium curator) from Poland
- Tatiana Pavlyshyn from Ukraine
11 August, 18:00
- Kazimierz Kalkowski from Poland
- Lidia Kostanek from Poland
- Adam Sobota from Poland
- Kazimierz Świerczewski from Poland
Symposium programme
- 16 August, 16:00 Opening of the “Before and After” exhibition by participants of the 54th and 55th editions of the International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec, Town Hall, Rynek 41
- 16 August, 18:00 Official opening of the 25th Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival, “Ceramic Carnival” parade
- 22 August, 17:00 Official closing of the Symposium, opening of the post-symposium exhibition of the 55th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec, “mała Biała” Gallery, BOK – MCC, pl. Piłsudskiego 1c.
History of the symposium
The tradition of organizing International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposia in Bolesławiec dates back to 1963, when sculptor Jerzy Boroń initiated the Lower Silesian Symposia—the beginning of it all. The programme for these artistic meetings was developed by artists, largely sculptors, who later participated in the symposia. Until 1967, the main centres welcoming participants arriving from across Poland were Bolesławiec, Chocianów, Ziębice and Oleśnica. Accompanying events included exhibitions combined with lectures, artist talks and discussions. At the beginning of the 1970s, efforts were made to reform the symposium format somewhat. Conferences were introduced in Wrocław, along with sessions in Bolesławiec attended not only by visual artists, but also sociologists (including prof. Władysław Misiak), writers such as Janusz Styczeń, art critics including Jerzy Ludwiński and Antoni Dzieduszycki, and actors seeking to introduce interesting solutions into artistic activities in Bolesławiec’s cultural space. Numerous happenings by ceramic sculptors, including Inside (2000), Preserving Traces (2002) and Happy Tower (2003), provided additional variety. Over time, when ceramic artists took over the management and development of the symposia, the nationwide format became international. Artists from all over the world began arriving in our city—from Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, the USA, France, England and many other countries. To date, we have hosted more than 300 artists. The high standard of the symposia and their importance for the development of contemporary ceramic art were recognized in 2004 with the Lower Silesian Key to Success award.
Today, the International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec is a unique opportunity to take part in a multicultural dialogue among ceramic artists. Thanks to financial support from the Municipality of Bolesławiec and the good cooperation between the symposium organizer—Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury – Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki—and local ceramic producers, artists have the opportunity to work at the following factories:
- Zakłady Ceramiczne “BOLESŁAWIEC” Sp. z o.o.
- “Ceramika Artystyczna” Spółdzielnia Rękodzieła Artystycznego
- Fabryka Naczyń Kamionkowych “Manufaktura” Sp. J. Smoleński & Zwierz
- as well as in the ceramic and sculpture studios of BOK – MCC
Within the artistic programme, other very important factors shaping the identity of this event include the exchange of experience among ceramic sculptors and the opportunity to display their work at post-symposium exhibitions organized in Poland and abroad. The three-week symposia form part of the programme of the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival—an event whose aim is to promote ceramic producers from around the world and disseminate knowledge about the broadly understood “fire art.” During the event, post-symposium exhibitions present the creative results of participants in previous editions. Exhibitions also feature artists from the current editions, allowing Bolesławiec residents and tourists attending the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival to meet the symposium participants in person.