Khoren Grigoryan reporting from Jingdezhen, China

The university in Jingdezhen, a city known as the “World Porcelain Capital” in China’s Jiangxi province, offers open masterclasses in fine ceramic arts. The university, famous for its long-standing tradition of training ceramic masters, invites students, artists, and the general public—anyone interested in learning the unique techniques of Chinese porcelain production (PHOTOS).

The program aims to publicize traditional craft methods, passed down from master to apprentice for centuries, and to develop contemporary ceramic art based on this deep cultural tradition. The classes are conducted by renowned masters—ceramic artists—who participate in international exhibitions and research projects.

Participants will have the opportunity to go through all the main stages of working with ceramics: clay selection and preparation, hand molding and shaping technique on pottery wheel, underglaze and overglaze decoration, studying the characteristics of traditional kilns and firing processes, and learning about Jingdezhen’s historical styles such as “Xin-bai,” “Cyu-shao,” “Caihua,” and more.

The courses are held in the university’s specialized workshops, equipped with both traditional tools and modern ceramic kilns and digital tools for mold design.

The learning institution offers a wide range of educational programs, from fine and industrial design to engineering, economics, humanities, and international studies. Within the university, the Institute of Ceramic Arts holds a special place as one of China’s leading schools in training ceramic artists, technologists, and researchers.

The educational process combines academic preparation, creative practice, and applied research. Students have the opportunity to work in specialized workshops and scientific laboratories, study traditional clay processing and decoration techniques, and master modern modeling and digital design methods. The university actively collaborates with art museums, manufactories, and industrial enterprises, enabling its students to participate in real creative and production projects.

International engagement plays a significant role in the university’s development. Its students come from various countries, and exhibitions, creative schools, research seminars, and exchange programs are held regularly. This makes the university an important platform for cultural dialogue and for spreading Chinese ceramic traditions worldwide.

Today, Jingdezhen university is a modern educational and scientific center where traditions and innovations merge in a unified space for creative development. It continues to contribute to the preservation and renewal of China’s unique porcelain heritage, shaping a new generation of artists, masters, and researchers.