hanterra ceramics competition
hanterra ceramics competition is a national, juried ceramics competition.
hanterra ceramics competition is organized and promoted by hanterra. Its aim to encourage the use of functional handmade ceramics and unique quality designs.
Purpose of the Competition
hanterra ceramics competition, being the first of its kind in Turkey, aims to:
- Emphasise the importance of good design, uniqueness and quality of build, within the rising popularity of ceramics
- Encourage handmade ceramic works that demonstrate what can be done with ceramics and reflect creativity and imagination
- Reward the time, effort, and care the ceramist spends while creating a handmade functional ceramic, as well as the imagination and thought that go into the creative process.
Subject Matter
Subject matter of 2026 hanterra ceramics competition: CHESS SET
Terms of Participation
- hanterra ceramics competition is open to anyone who loves to make ceramics, residing in Turkey, regardless of their experience, age and education.
- Participation in the competition is free.
- Each participant may submit a maximum of two (2) works..
- Works can be produced by using any ceramic technique except those made using 3D printing.
- Supporting materials may be used, but the primary material of the work must be ceramic.
- The submitted works must not display any names, signatures, stamps, or any other symbols or marks that could identify the participant.
- By entering, participants declare that the works are made by them, that they are original, that they were produced for this competition, that works have not participated in other competitions and have not been exhibited anywhere including on social media, in newsletters or on websites. The participant accepts and undertake that he/she is the owner and creator of the works that they enter the competition and no third party has any rights related to the work under any name, such as copyright, the owner of the work, etc. Any legal or financial responsibility arising from copies or derivative works rests solely with the participant..
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- In the event of rule violations, the jury reserves the right to remove a work from exhibition and revoke any awards granted.
Technical Requirements
The chess set must consist of 32 chess pieces and 1 chessboard*.
The pieces must be proportional in size and weight , ergonomic and well-balanced for use.
The function of each piece must be clearly recognisable; it must be distinguishable as pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, in accordance with the rules of chess.
The chessboard must consist of 8x8 (64) squares and must be made of ceramic material. The square sizes and overall dimensions must be proportional to the pieces it holds. The chessboard must be no less than 30x30 cm and no more than 60x60 cm.
Assessment Criteria
Jurors evaluate the works based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to the subject matter, functionality and ergonomics.
The work must fully and effectively fulfill its function and be designed to achieve the most efficient result during use. The choice of materials, design, and details should be appropriate to its function. All features must align with its function - dimensions, weight, cleanliness, balance, and ease of use are expected to be suitable for its purpose. - Originality and creativity of the design.
hanterra Ceramic Competition aims to reward aesthetic, creative, and original works. Entries that copy, significantly reference, or are derivative of previously created works will be disqualified by the jury. - Technical qualities of the production and the finishing.
The production method, choice of materials, details, and finishing qualities of the work are expected to demonstrate the technical proficiency of the maker.
Awards
GRAND PRIZE hanterra gift voucher worth 50.000 TL,
1st Honorable Mention hanterra gift voucher worth 10.000 TL,
2nd Honorable Mention hanterra gift voucher worth 10.000 TL,
3rd Honorable Mention hanterra gift voucher worth 10.000 TL.
Exhibition awards will be determined by the jury from among the works that pass the first stage, depending on the number and quality of submissions. The jury reserves the right not to present an award or to revoke an award if a work is later found not to be original. All jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
The physical ownership of the Grand Prize and Honorable Mention-winning works will transfer to hanterra. Intellectual property rights remain with the artist; however, hanterra retains unlimited rights to use images of the works for promotional and archival purposes. Award winners may use their hanterra gift vouchers to select products of their choice from www.hanterra.com, subject to stock availability. Gift vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash, and hanterra cannot be held responsible for out-of-stock items. Gift vouchers must be collected by 11 April 2026 and are valid for one year from the date of issue. Vouchers not collected within 3 months will be forfeited.
Competition Calendar
- 23.02.2026 – Application deadline
- 12.03.2026 – Notification to shortlisted participants
- 25.03.2026 – Deadline for delivery of the selected works to hanterra Kozyatağı
- 03.04.2026 – Announcement of the award winners
- 12.04.2026 – Award ceremony and opening of the exhibition
Application Process
Applications must be submitted by 23:59 on 23 February 2026 via www.hanterrayarisma.com
2 (two) images of the work and 2 (two) images showing the production process, a total of 4 (four) images will be uploaded. Detailed information about the production process can be requested from participants that pass the first stage.
The application form will include contact information such as name, surname, address, e-mail and telephone, as well as the dimensions, technique, material of the work - which clay, which glaze, etc. - and its name.
The application form requires a description of the inspiration and design story of the work. It is expected to include details about the technical, aesthetic, and functional decisions made during the creation process and the factors that influenced these choices.
Competition Process
The competition is judged over the course of 2 stages:
First stage: Visual Evaluation
Entries will be evaluated based on the submitted images. The following technical conditions apply at this stage:
- The background must be plain black or white.
- Photographs should be taken to show the work from different angles.
- File format: JPEG
- Resolution: 300 dpi
- Long edge: 1920 pixels
- Maximum file size: 5 MB
Since files in HEIC format may not be opened, all images must be sent in JPEG format and named appropriately. Images sent in a different format will not be considered for evaluation.
Digital editing (Photoshop, etc.) should not be performed on the photographs.
No text, logo, or mark should be added directly onto the images.
The work must be exactly the same as it appears in the photograph. If there is a difference between the photograph and the physical work, the participation will be considered invalid.
Participants agree that the visual materials sent to the competition may be used by hanterra for promotional, archival, and publication activities indefinitely and free of charge.
Final stage: Physical Evaluation
Shortlisted works must be delivered to hanterra Kozyatağı between 12.03.2026 – 25.03.2026, by 17:00 on March 25, 2026.
Applicants will be contacted via e-mail and/or telephone regarding the delivery of the works. Works that arrive on time and undamaged at Hanterra Kozyatağı uwill be examined and evaluated by the jury, and the award winners will be determined. The jury's decisions are final and cnot open to discussion.
Liability
hanterra, while making every effort to ensure the safe handling and care of the submitted works, it cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage including theft, fire or accident occurring at any stage of the competition. Participants are advised to arrange their own insurance if they wish.
Insurance
hanterra will not insure the works at any stage of the competition. Participants agree that they will not pursue any legal action against hanterra for any damage to the works during the competition. Participants can insure their work at their own expense and responsibility by using the insurance company of their choice. Insurance policies should exempt hanterra from any legal action; hanterra is not obliged to indemnify the works for the entire duration of the competition. If a work reaches the competition with signs of damage, it will be disqualified.
Shipping
The cost and responsibility of the delivery of works will be belong to the participant. Works must reach hanterra without any fees or taxes. Participants must comply with safety standards when transporting the works and ensure that they are adequately packed. hanterra cannot be held responsible for any damage during transit.
Return of Works
The Grand Prize and Honorable Mention winners’ works will become the property of hanterra and part of its collection, along with exhibition and publicity rights. Other works may be collected from hanterra Kozyatağı after the exhibition or shipped back at the participant’s expense. The deadline for collection is 12 April 2026. Participants may choose to donate their works to hanterra, in which case ownership will transfer to hanterra. Uncollected works after the deadline will automatically become property of hanterra.
Additional Information
The exhibition format, placement, and presentation of the selected artworks will be determined by the hanterra team in line with the integrity of the exhibition and the curatorial approach. All decision-making authority on this matter belongs to hanterra. hanterra reserves the right to make changes to the competition's format, schedule, or exhibition conditions, or to cancel the competition in case of compelling circumstances. In such cases, participants will be notified.
For More Information and Queries
www.hanterrayarisma.com
e-mail: yarisma@hanterra.com
Tel: 0 543 3297202