The Pottery Workshop welcomes international artists to experience life in Jingdezhen. We’ll give you the chance to explore traditional Chinese methods of ceramics production in a comfortable studio with modern facilities.
If you’re coming to Jingdezhen as a group, please also check out our group information!
Download our Jingdezhen Residency information document (pdf)
Download our Resident Artist Application form (Word)
Download the Jingdezhen Residency Program price list (pdf)
The residential studio program includes:
- 24-hour access to our air-conditioned studio
- Excellent facilities, including a glaze laboratory, use of electric wheel, work table, tools, bats, and boards
- Studio assistants who help with introducing you to Jingdezhen, translating, and solving technical problems.
- Full room and board. Lunch and dinner are served every day except Sundays.
- Accommodation includes flush toilets, hot shower, air-conditioned rooms, regular cleaning service, and free wireless broadband Internet.
Fees and Other Costs
The cost of the residential studio program is Rmb2400/week. You should prepare for other costs such as firing fees and materials. Please
download the PWS Residency Program price list.
When to Come
The studio is busiest in the Spring and Fall, when the weather is fair. Summer is hot, but our air-conditioned studios are quite comfortable. Winter is our slowest season. Learn more about Jingdezhen’s average and current weather.
The studio is open all year except for one month during the Chinese New Year (around the month of February).
How Long to Stay
Besides working in the studio, you will probably spend a lot of time exploring the city and surrounding area, learning local techniques of pottery production, and getting acclimated to life in China.
Therefore, if you intend on producing work in Jingdezhen it is advisable to stay at least four weeks. Most artists stay six to eight weeks.
Making a reservation
You should book studio space early, since availability is limited. Reservations can be made by sending a completed Pottery Workshop Artist Application Form to jingdezhen[at]potteryworkshop.org A deposit of Rmb 2400 is required.
Getting Here
From overseas it is best to fly to Shanghai. (You may need to stay a night in Shanghai to take daily the morning flight to Jingdezhen.) Flight time from Shanghai to Jingdezhen is one hour.
Beijing and Shenzhen (near Hong Kong) also have regular flights to Jingdezhen.
We can help you arrange accommodation in Shanghai or other transit city, as well as air/train travel to Jingdezhen. Our staff will pick you up from Jingdezhen Airport. Check flights to and from Jingdezhen
Getting a Visa
Before traveling to China, you will need to get a visa from a local Chinese embassy or consulate. Visitor, Tourist, and Business visas are all acceptable, although a Tourist visa is preferred. You should apply for a visa that covers the entire length of your intended stay.
Please check current visa regulations with your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate. You may be required to present an invitation letter, which we will happily provide.
What to Bring
Common materials and equipment are readily available at the studio or easily purchased in Jingdezhen. If you foresee needing special equipment, it is best to bring it with you. Things like underglaze pencils and natural sponges are not available in Jingdezhen.
Just downstairs from the studio, the Pottery Workshop Cafe has great drinks (cappuccino, americano, latte, etc.), but you may want to bring a bag of coffee beans for yourself to brew in the studio.
Also, many Western goods are not sold in Jingdezhen. Common over-the-counter drugs for colds, allergies, diarrhea and other minor ailments could come in handy. And if you already have a GSM mobile phone, please bring it along. You can purchase a local mobile number in Jingdezhen for about 100RMB. (If you don’t have a phone, don’t worry. We have phones you can rent here.)
Money
Most transactions in Jingdezhen are done with cash. You can withdraw money from local branches of the Bank of China using your international credit/debit card. (Please be sure to verify with your bank that your card can be used in China.) Travellers cheques may be cashed at the bank, but the process may take half a day or longer. It is best to bring some Chinese currency (RMB) with you. The Pottery Workshop accepts credit cards or cash for payment of residency and other fees.
Shipping
Ceramic work you make or buy can be shipped anywhere in the world. Our staff will help you buy packing materials and select the best shipping option. Although we can introduce you to a shipper, we take no responsibility for shipment.
Shipping information document (pdf)
Important Note: Recently, the shipping regulations have become stricter. Whereas in the past it was possible to ship various types of items together (e.g. ceramics, clay, over/underglaze materials, kiln shelves), currently we can only help with shipping your own ceramic work. Furthermore, for each type of “functional” ware, a set must be sent to Shanghai for lead testing, which will add to the total cost of the shipment.
More Information
Before coming to Jingdezhen, please review our information on Materials & Techniques.
