2027 Jingdezhen Summer Sessions
Each year we host multiple 21-day intensive summer sessions with the goal of growing participants’ ceramic repertoire through an in-depth exploration of Jingdezhen’s unique ceramic possibilities and histories. As a group we tour the city making stops at museums, factories, artisan workshops, artist studios, markets, exhibitions, and amazing scenic spots all around the city and the surrounding countryside, all while making work for a session-end exhibition under the guidance, and with the inspiration of, a professional workshop leader from the field of international ceramics. The sessions are designed to be the best possible introduction to all that Jingdezhen has to offer for those considering an ongoing relationship with the city, and as robust opportunities for skill building and making in the fast-paced setting of a Jingdezhen summer. We also do our best to help our participants to mix with the culture of Jingdezhen, and show off the fact that Jingdezhen is both a sneaky-good food city, and possibly the youngest and hippest art capital to be found anywhere. Housing, materials, studio space with 24-hour access, excursions, assistance, technical lessons, and transportation within Jingdezhen are all included in a session fee of 16,000 RMB. A foundational understanding of ceramics is generally required, with some exceptions possible for artists with technical backgrounds in other mediums in certain cases.
Disparate Harmony. with Charles Snowden 6.14 – 7.4
Charles Snowden is an artist from San Diego, California. He earned a BA from Humboldt State University and an MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles. The menagerie of animals, insects, goblins, and gnomes that appear in his work are drawn from various apotropaic traditions and ancient symbolism, for which they act as wards against evil. These protective idols reference universal cycles of life and death, regeneration and growth, and destruction and creation - mutually dependent forces that guide all life. Metaphor is stretched to its limits, becoming a tool for connecting extremes and recognizing, like the German poet Paul Celan, that “there are / still songs to sing beyond / mankind.” Charles has exhibited his works throughout California as well as New York, Toronto, and Paris. His work is part of the permanent collection of the San Diego Art Institute and has been featured in Hyperallergic, Artillery Mag, and Cultured Mag. He currently maintains a studio in Barcelona, where he lives most of the year.
An Extended Hand. with Elliott Denny 7.12 – 8.1
Elliott Denny is a British designer and artist based in London. Working primarily with ceramics, his practice spans sculpture, furniture, and product design, integrating a wide range of ceramic processes. His approach incorporates self-built production devices and innovative techniques, exploring the intersection between industrial and studio ceramics and how these methodologies can be interwoven. He has undertaken residencies at Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Centre, Denmark (2016), Taattisten Tila, Finland (2022), and Menlo Studio, Jingdezhen, China (2024). Most recently in 2025 he was artist-inresidence at the Architectural Association, London, partially funded by an award from the Craft Potters Charitable Trust. Elliott has exhibited at Collect, Future Heritage, Aram Gallery and TwentyTwentyone, and shown work at London Design Festival, London Craft Week, and Clerkenwell Design Week. In 2019 he was commissioned to create work for AWARD, the central exhibition of the British Ceramics Biennial. His work has been featured in Crafts, Ceramic Review, Monthly Ceramic Art (Korea), Elle Decoration, and Icon. In 2024, Elliott was awarded the Märit Rausing Scholarship to pursue an MA in Ceramics & Glass at the Royal College of Art.
Application and Reservation steps for MenLo Summer Ceramic Intensive Sessions
Our application process is conversational, with a goal of ensuring a good mutual fit between the sessions and the applicants. We want as much to make sure that the program is right for you as we do the opposite. Applications are first come first served, with your first “significant” show of intent serving as your date of application. To begin this conversation please answer the following questions if you haven’t already.
1. What is your experience with clay?
We generally require a solid foundational knowledge of ceramics for those joining the sessions. It is possible to make incredible ceramic works in Jingdezhen with no ceramic ability whatsoever through collaboration with artisans and industrial processes, but because the summer sessions are structured as fast-moving deep dives into ceramics in Jingdezhen they are much more accessible for those with a foundation to work from. We have waived this requirement selectively in the past for artists with backgrounds in other mediums if their goals and expectations fit what we think is possible for them.
2. What are your goals and expectations for the session?
The sessions are somewhat unique. They are not exactly residencies, and not exactly workshops. They involve a lot of scheduled trips to important Jingdezhen locations, but also plenty of dedicated studio time and in person skill lessons. We bring in the session leaders to provide mentorship and insight, but also to focus on making their own work side by side with the group. The sessions can be different things for different people, but they aren’t built for pre-planned heavy production.
3. Do you have any lifestyle concerns or questions about Jingdezhen in the summer?
The session is active, the summer is hot, we eat out for most every meal. The food is great, the studio is air conditioned, and we have refined the schedule over the years to make it action packed but do-able. Standard housing is a single studio-style apartment with a private bathroom and washing machine.
If we come to the conclusion together that you are a fit for the session and vice versa we require a 50% deposit to officially register. That deposit is refundable less any transfer fees for any reason up to 90 days in advance of the session.
MenLo Jingdezhen Summer Ceramics Intensive Fees
All fees include housing, studio space, excursion costs, materials, and airport/train station pickup in Jingdezhen.
16000 RMB Includes a private studio-style single apartment with private bathroom.