Marking its third edition, the fair brings together national and international galleries showcasing works that reflect the diverse possibilities of the ceramic medium. This year’s highlights include a special focus on Spain and a group exhibition of the Art Prize 2026, celebrating emerging voices in the field.
VIP and Press Preview: January 21, 2026 | 2 PM – 9 PM (by invitation only)
On View: January 22 – 25, 2026
November 10, 2025 (Brussels, Belgium) – ceramic brussels, the first international art fair devoted solely to the medium of ceramics, will return to the Tour & Taxis exhibition centre in Brussels from January 21 – 25, 2026, for its third consecutive year. Building on the success of its previous iterations, this edition will showcase 75 Belgian and international exhibitors, presenting nearly 200 artists, with a dedicated focus section for Spain. Promising its visitors an in-depth journey through the work of clay and fire, the fair stands as a testament to ceramics' resilience, adaptability, and cultural significance.
Amidst its broad exploration of ceramics, this year’s edition continues to spotlight significant legacies and visionary contributions from both national and international artists. Following the previous edition’s focus on Norway, this year’s edition will present a dedicated section to Spain, celebrating Spanish artists and the country’s ceramic scene, coinciding with the EUROPALIA España festival. Reflecting the fair’s commitment to celebrating singular artistic voices, the 2026 Guest of Honor, Elmar Trenkwalder, will present a solo exhibition at the entrance of the fair, organised in collaboration with the Parisian gallery Bernard Jordan. In recognition of emerging talent and new creative perspectives, the ten laureates of the Art Prize 2026 will showcase their works in a group exhibition curated by ceramic brussels’ co-founder Jean-Marc Dimanche.
Fostering a dialogue between contemporary ceramics and the iconic works that have shaped the medium over the past century and continue to influence ceramic artists to this day, modern galleries return to the fair’s third edition, including Thomas Fritsch, Galerie Vallois, and Michel Giraud. Established Belgian galleries at this year’s edition include Galerie Laurentin, Galerie Christine Colon, Fontana, and Jonathan Kugel. Within the twenty solo exhibitions, Sorry We’re Closed, recipient of the Best Solo Show award at the 2025 edition, will present a solo exhibition by Paraguayan artist Julia Isídrez. The Belgian gallery La peau de l’ours will showcase works by French–Swiss artist Réjean Peytavin, while Galerie Christine Colon will spotlight Daphne Corregan. In addition to the monographic presentation of the guest of honor, Elmar Trenkwalder, the French gallery Lefebvre et Fils will dedicate its booth the work of American artist Isolina Minjeong.
Beyond the galleries participating from central Europe, the fair offers a truly global experience, featuring galleries Format Oslo, QB Gallery, Skog Art Space from Norway; ANNA LAUDEL, Galeri Nev, GALERIST from Turkey; YOD Gallery from Japan; HAN Collection from the United Kingdom; AIFA from Switzerland; and NIKA Project Space from the UAE. In addition to this international array, many of the galleries represent artists from various countries, making the fair a true reflection of the diversity and breadth of artists within the ceramic medium.
A Special Focus on Spain
Expanding its international scope, ceramic brussels will spotlight seven galleries from Spain, shining a light on the country’s roster of artists and practices in ceramics. Alongside these galleries, two French galleries will showcase Spanish artists: MALA Gallery from Nice will present a solo show of works by Pablo Picasso, and Galerie Capazza from Nancy will feature works by Joan Serra, Mia Llauder, and Claudi Casanovas. This special focus emphasizes the importance of national art scenes as sources of inspiration and models of best practices, underscoring their critical role in shaping the global landscape of contemporary arts and crafts. Additionally, ceramic brussels will host an afternoon of talks dedicated to the vitality of the contemporary Spanish scene, with galleries, artists, and institutions present, creating a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices, fostering deeper dialogue through cross-cultural collaboration.
The 2026 Guest of Honor | Elmar Trenkwalder
In line with its dedication to highlighting the most influential voices in contemporary ceramics, the fair announces Elmar Trenkwalder as this edition’s Guest of Honor. A large-scale monographic exhibition of some of the artist’s most remarkable works will be staged at the entrance of the fair, spanning over 300 m², organised in collaboration with the Parisian gallery Bernard Jordan. For over forty years, Elmar Trenkwalder has been producing monumental and opulent sculptures with ornamental richness reminiscent of baroque and rococo architecture, as well as Asian forms. Coming from a background in painting, Trenkwalder turned to ceramics as a means of artistic expression in the mid-1980s, his works reaching new dimensions and artistic freedom through his handling of the medium with virtuosity.
New Voices in Contemporary Ceramics
Alongside serving as both an exhibition space and marketplace for ceramics, ceramic brussels plays a vital role in championing emerging talent, spotlighting new voices in the medium with the ceramic brussels Art Prize. Open to artists with fewer than 10 years of experience, it provides exposure and opportunities to artists who are not yet represented by galleries. Recognizing ten laureates each year, selected by an esteemed international jury, ceramic brussels gives the artists an opportunity to showcase their works in a group exhibition during the fair, with one selected artist receiving the prestigious Jury Prize, presenting their work in a solo presentation in the following edition. This year, Léonore Chastagner, the recipient of the 2025 Jury Prize, will present her work in a dedicated solo exhibition. Her craft-based approach brings to life pieces oscillating between the classical and the old-fashioned to address the notion of expectation linked to the feminine.
With a programme spanning exhibitions, talks, and debates, ceramic brussels invites visitors to engage with ceramics as both an evolving art form and a field of ideas shaped by history and experimentation. By bringing together artists, galleries, collectors, and institutions, the fair encourages collaboration and exchange, spotlighting new ideas and contributing to the wider conversation on modern and contemporary ceramics.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
ceramic brussels will be on view from January 21 – 25 at Tour & Taxis exhibition center in Brussels, Belgium.
Address
Avenue du Port, 86C
1000, Brussels
VIP & Press Preview
January 21, 2026 | 2 – 9 PM (by invitation only)
Fair Days
January 22 – 25, 2026
Thursday – Saturday | 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday | 10 AM – 7 PM
About ceramic brussels:
ceramic brussels is the first international contemporary art fair dedicated to ceramics, providing a unique platform for encounters and exchanges among artists, galleries, institutions, collectors, and art enthusiasts. Each year, the fair brings together over 70 Belgian and international galleries and nearly 200 artists, presenting both solo and group exhibitions. Alongside its main program, ceramic brussels features a curated focus section highlighting a selected country each year and annually honors a distinguished ceramic artist as its guest of honour.
Image Credits:
1. Muriel Persil, Chaise à la salamandre, jaune, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie du Passage.
2. Angelika Stefaniak, Mating Dance, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and ceramic brussels. Photo: dzikie studio.
3. Faye Papargyropoulou, From Fragility to Stability_5, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and ceramic brussels.
4. Manuel Barreiro Paparolo, Compact Soma, 2025. Courtesy of the artist and METRO.
5. Anke Eilergerhard, Annalotta, 2018. Courtesy of the artist and ANNA LAUDEL.
6. Turi Heisselberg Pedersen, Budding Shape, Developmental Rhythm, Sprouting Shape. Photo by Oleak Hoj. Courtesy of the artist and Peach Corner.