As part of the 6th International Triennial of Ceramics UNICUM 2026, a accompanying exhibition entitled
From Traditional to Contemporary Ceramics – The Story of the Salt Cellar will take place at the Graslov stolp Exhibition Space in Slovenska Bistrica
between 22 May and 12 September 2026. The call is open to all artists working in this medium, either individually or as members of associations. The aim of the exhibition is to present the achievements and development of authorial ceramics in both traditional and contemporary forms of artistic expression.
The theme of this year’s exhibition is The Story of the Salt Cellar.In the past, the salt cellar was an indispensable part of kitchen equipment. It is a vessel made of fired clay with an opening or lid, intended for storing salt. It was designed for everyday use and was usually attached to the wall or placed on the kitchen counter so that salt was always within reach. Salt cellars differed in shape and decoration – some were very simple, while others were more imaginatively designed and decorated. In traditional use, some ceramic salt cellars were glazed mainly on the outside, while the inside remained unglazed. Porous clay could absorb some of the excess moisture from the environment, helping to keep the salt drier and free-flowing. This practice was based on empirical knowledge and the material properties of lower-fired clays. Due to their excellent properties and simple maintenance, ceramic salt cellars remain useful in modern kitchens as well.The exhibition theme encourages authors to reflect on the function, symbolism, form and contemporary interpretation of the salt cellar. Works are welcome that understand the salt cellar as an archetypal object of everyday use and bring it into the present through contemporary design, material reflection or functional innovation.
CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
Each author may participate with one work created in the recent period.
Only works that include ceramic techniques, technologies or approaches will be accepted.
Works may also include other materials, but these must not predominate and must be conceptually and artistically justified.
The costs of sending and returning the works are covered by the author.
APPLICATIONApplications for the call are submitted by email. The author should send the following to martina.zanjkovic@zavod-ksb.si:
a fully completed application form;
three (3) photographs of the work on a white or single-colour background, suitable for print (size: 4000 × 3000 pixels, resolution: 300 dpi, file size: 4–5 MB).By applying, the author permits the organisers to publish their personal data (name, surname, email address) and to use the submitted material for promotional purposes, including the printing of publications and the catalogue. Submitted material will not be returned by the organisers, but will be kept in the archive as part of the call documentation. The organisers are not responsible for any errors in published data provided by the author.
EXTENDED! APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting applications is 9 April 2026.Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The selection of works will be made on the basis of the submitted applications by an expert committee consisting of:
Teja Hlačer, MA in Cultural Anthropology, potter and ceramic designer,
Mario Berdič Codella, curator and art critic,
Radovan Gregorčič, ceramic designer.You will be notified about the selection of works no later than
16 April 2026.
DELIVERY OF SELECTED WORKSSelected works must be delivered between 21 and 23 April 2026 to the following address:
Zavod za kulturo Slovenska Bistrica, Grajska ulica 11, 2310 Slovenska Bistrica.
Works may be delivered by post or in person: on Mondays between 9:00 and 15:00, from Tuesday to Friday between 9:00 and 17:00, and on Saturdays between 11:00 and 15:00.
A photocopy of the application form must be attached to the delivered work.
If the work consists of several parts, an installation plan must be attached.
Works that arrive severely damaged or destroyed will not be exhibited and will be returned to the author together with a report on the condition of the shipment.
SALE OF EXHIBITED WORKSThe exhibition will also have a sales character. The author may state the sale price of the work when applying, if the work is for sale. The price will be displayed next to the exhibited work. On the closing day of the exhibition, 12 September 2026, a meeting with the authors will take place at the Graslov stolp Exhibition Space – after this, the sale of exhibited works will also be possible. Authors will arrange sales directly with potential buyers. The exhibition organisers will not participate in sales as intermediaries and will not charge any commission.
RETURN OF WORKSAuthors may collect their works in person:
at the closing of the exhibition, on 12 September 2026, at the Graslov stolp Exhibition Space, or
no later than 18 September 2026 at the address of the Institute for Culture Slovenska Bistrica: on Mondays between 9:00 and 15:00, from Tuesday to Friday between 9:00 and 17:00, and on Saturdays between 11:00 and 15:00. After this date, the organisers are no longer responsible for the works.
INSURANCEThe organisers do not accept responsibility for any damage to works during transport. Insurance of works during transport from the authors to the organisers and back is the responsibility of the author.CONTACT PERSON
Martina Zanjkovič
Institute for Culture Slovenska Bistrica
Grajska ulica 11, 2310 Slovenska Bistrica
T: 02 80 55 355
M: 041 721 632
E:
martina.zanjkovic@zavod-ksb.si
W:
new.zavod-ksb.si/Call:Application form:
