The South African Clay Awards 2026 call for entries invites ceramic artists across South Africa.
The South African Clay Awards return in 2026, bringing one of the country’s most significant platforms for ceramic practice to Art Formes at The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town.
Originally launched by the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum in Durbanville, the Clay Awards were conceived as a biennial exhibition celebrating the depth, diversity and innovation of contemporary ceramic practice in South Africa. The 2026 edition marks a new collaboration between Rust-en-Vrede and ArtFormes, expanding the reach of the awards while continuing their commitment to recognising excellence in clay.
Open to South African ceramic artists working in clay, the awards highlight the remarkable breadth of approaches within the medium, from sculptural works and conceptual installations to finely crafted functional vessels.
A defining feature of the Clay Awards is their collaborative award structure. Rather than selecting a single winner, the prize recognises approximately 40–50 outstanding works, with the prize money shared equally among the selected artists. The format reflects the complexity and richness of ceramic practice, where diverse approaches and interpretations make singular hierarchies difficult to define.
Submissions are typically made digitally for an initial round of judging, after which a panel of respected national and international experts selects the final exhibiting works. The judging process is conducted anonymously to ensure fairness and encourage a broad range of perspectives in the final exhibition.
The inaugural edition attracted over 500 entries, demonstrating the vitality of the South African ceramics landscape, from established masters to emerging artists exploring the expressive possibilities of clay.
The Clay Awards aim to present a vibrant snapshot of contemporary ceramic practice, showcasing works that embody craftsmanship, conceptual depth, material exploration and artistic vision.
The 2026 edition will be hosted at Art Formes, with the awards continuing their biennial cycle before returning to the Rust-en-Vrede Clay Museum in 2028.
Ceramic artists across South Africa are encouraged to watch for the official call for entries announcement, expected ahead of the 2026 exhibition.
