Learn Korean Celadon Pottery from a Master Artisan in Gangjin, Korea

Learn to make pottery with a master of Goryeo celadon in Gangjin,and complete your own unique piece in this pottery expert project.It's not just about making pottery; it starts from the moment you touch the clay for the first time, through the delicate shaping, the decoration process of adding patterns, the changes during glazing, and finally, the long process of firing it with heat. You will experience and learn every step of how clay transforms into a work of art. You will learn from a master who has studied and made Goryeo celadon for decades, feeling the depth and quiet beauty of traditional pottery, and witnessing the moment when clay becomes art. The one piece created by your hands will hold your time, care, and story.

1. Learn pottery from a master of Goryeo celadon, proud of a thousand-year history.

A good piece of pottery holds not only simple hand skills but also the techniques and experiences that the master has built over many years working with clay and fire. This project offers a professional program where you can deeply learn the skills and philosophy from a master who has studied and made pottery for decades. The pottery of the master, who has been active for over 60 years, is highly praised in Korea and abroad, and many people seek his works even now. You will start by understanding the most basic senses of clay and learn all the processes of pottery, including delicate shaping, adding patterns, glazing changes, and the firing process that completes the piece over time. This is not just an experience, but a time to see, feel, and create every step of how a potter completes a piece, experiencing the quiet beauty and deep world of pottery.You will witness the moment clay takes shape and is transformed into art in the fire, fully experiencing the unique charm of pottery.

2. Goryeo celadon comes back to life at your fingertips.

Goryeo celadon is one of Korea's traditional ceramics, known for its soft jade color and intricately engraved patterns, recognized globally for its artistic value. In this project, you will not only learn traditional inlaid celadon techniques, but also the unique three-dimensional inlaid techniques that artisans have perfected over years of research and experimentation. This technique goes beyond simply carving patterns; it creates a lively three-dimensional effect, allowing you to complete even deeper and more vibrant works. Using these unique techniques that are hard to find elsewhere, you will create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your thoughts, feelings, and the warmth of your hands. This process will lead to a special experience where creation is not just about making pottery but about combining clay, hands, and senses into one, fully experiencing the deep beauty of pottery and the joy of creation.

3. Create another form of art between tradition and modernity.

Pottery is a traditional art with a long history, but today, it has become even more refined through the development of various modern technologies and facilities. In this project, you will experience both the traditional techniques used by ancient potters and modern pottery equipment and methods. You will learn a wide range of pottery-making processes, starting from the basic hand senses required to handle clay, combining the delicacy of traditional methods with the precision of modern equipment. This experience helps you understand how traditional techniques harmonize with modern technology, evolving and developing into new forms.You will experience the special process of how traditional methods of shaping clay by hand meet modern equipment to enhance the work's quality.

4. Meet masters who have created new history beyond the tradition.

There are many opportunities to learn pottery, but meeting a master who has studied clay for a lifetime is rare. Master Yoon Yoon-seob has been on the path of pottery since he was 19, proving that good celadon cannot be made with just the sense of fingertips. He traveled to kiln sites across the country to find better clay, collected and analyzed raw materials, and after countless studies of glazes and colors, he created a new history of layered pattern celadon by combining the inlaid techniques of Goryeo and the white porcelain techniques of Joseon. His relentless research and unique skills have earned him recognition as the 39th Intangible Cultural Asset in celadon craftsmanship. Even during the financial crisis when he faced the risk of losing everything, he never left his potter's wheel and continues to research and challenge himself, creating new celadon that fits today's era.In this project, participants will not only learn how to make pottery but also have a special experience facing the life, philosophy, and living tradition of someone who has walked this path for a lifetime, giving meaning to even a handful of clay.

5. Experience the moment when you encounter Goryeo celadon across a thousand years.

Gangjin is known as the heart of Goryeo celadon and is the home of Korean pottery culture. Nearby, the Goryeo Celadon Museum showcases the history and value of celadon, and many potters are still active in creating works here. In this project, beyond just learning pottery-making techniques, you will live in a space where the history and culture of Goryeo celadon breathe, experiencing pottery culture up close. You can visit museums and studios, naturally encountering every process from how pottery is made to how it is exhibited and witnessing the moment when clay, started from the master's hands, becomes a finished piece. Your time in Gangjin will not just be about learning pottery techniques, but a meaningful experience to deeply understand traditional culture and art, broadening your perspective on art.Experience meeting living tradition within the thousand years of history that pottery has created, and fully feel its value.

This is a pottery expert course where you can learn pottery with a master in the Goryeo Celadon city of Gangjin and complete your own work. Participants will experience all the processes of making pottery, from basic handling of clay, delicate wheel throwing, and adding patterns, to the glazing and the firing process completed with heat. You will learn the deep tradition represented by the inlay technique of celadon, and gain more refined and deeper pottery skills through unique three-dimensional inlay techniques. This course will provide a profound pottery experience, allowing you to feel the moment when clay becomes art and create your own work.

■ Main Activities

1) Understanding Goryeo Celadon and Basic Pottery
You will learn about the history and characteristics of Goryeo Celadon. Additionally, you will understand the types and properties of clay, as well as the basic tools and work environment used in pottery.

2) Clay Shaping and Wheel Work Practice
You will learn the basics of handling clay and shaping methods that are essential for pottery production. You will practice hand shaping and wheel throwing, acquiring basic techniques to create various forms such as bowls, cups, and vases.

3) Inlay Technique and Pattern Production
You will learn the inlay technique that represents Goryeo Celadon and practice methods to express various patterns. Through the process of carving and decorating patterns, you will experience the delicate beauty of traditional pottery.

4) Three-Dimensional Inlay Technique and Advanced Shaping Work
You will learn unique shaping techniques developed by artisans. This allows for more three-dimensional and deeper expressions than regular inlay techniques, and you will experience special pottery skills that are hard to find elsewhere.

5) Glazing Work and Kiln Firing
You will learn about the types and characteristics of glazes that determine the color and texture of pottery and carry out glazing work. Afterward, you will experience the process of completing your artwork through kiln firing.

*Main activities and curriculum may change based on participants' skill levels and local organization's circumstances.

■ Additional Information

• This project has a curriculum designed for participants who have no pottery experience to learn systematically from the basics.
• The education will focus on practical work, held 4 days a week for about 2-4 hours each day.
• You will observe and learn the master’s work process up close, and receive feedback tailored to your individual skill level.
• The organization will provide basic pottery materials and tools. It is recommended to prepare work clothes or comfortable clothing.
• In your free time, you can visit the Gangjin Celadon Village and the Goryeo Celadon Museum to learn more about the history and culture of celadon.
  
  

Detailed support items

■ Project Activities

• Systematic orientation
• A trustworthy project manager
• 24/7 support! An emergency contact system for help at any time.
• Tips for living in Gwangjin to help you.

■ Certificates and recommendations

• Issuance of completion certificates for activities at the organization.

Items not included

• Round-trip transportation costs.
• Other living expenses in the area (meals, transportation, etc.)
• Train station/airport pickup costs.
• Personal travel insurance.

* Please book transportation after your participation in the project is confirmed and you receive the final schedule.

This is a special pottery workshop and ceramic museum located in Gangjin, the city of Goryeo celadon. It is run by a master who has studied and made Goryeo celadon for decades. They have developed a unique three-dimensional technique that modernizes traditional inlaid celadon and hold a patent for it. This place is not just a space for making pottery; it is an educational site where you can see, feel, and learn about the history, culture, and techniques of celadon. For a long time, they have taught pottery to many visitors and students from both home and abroad. Their work continues to mix the depth of tradition with a modern touch. In Gangjin, where the thousand-year-old tradition of celadon continues, you can feel the texture of the clay with the master and closely experience the entire process of shaping pottery. And in that process, you'll have the special experience of creating a work filled with your own sense.

We connect you with shared accommodations or guesthouses so you can stay comfortably during your training period. They have basic facilities you need for a convenient stay.

*The actual appearance of local guesthouses and shared accommodations may differ from the images.

Location: Gangjin

Gangjin is a place where beautiful nature meets diverse culture. You can escape the busy city and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, interacting naturally with local people and experiencing the life and deep culture of the area.It is also a place where celadon and tea culture have developed, allowing you to enjoy daily cultural experiences amid various cultural arts spaces and beautiful natural scenery.

1. Gangjinman Ecological Park
This tourist destination is well-known for its wide reed fields and beautiful wetland scenery. You can enjoy the changing natural landscapes with the seasons and take a leisurely walk along the trails, spending calm time in nature. Especially at sunset, the red-tinted sky gives visitors lasting memories.

2. Goryeo Celadon Museum

The Goryeo Celadon Museum is a space where you can explore the history and production of Goryeo celadon from a thousand years ago. Through various exhibitions and experience programs, you can appreciate the beauty of traditional crafts and naturally understand the meaning of the craftsmanship involved. Additionally, through exhibits and artifacts, you can deeply feel the excellence and artistic value of Goryeo celadon.

3. Baegundong Garden

This beautiful garden represents traditional garden culture, where valleys, forests, and ponds blend naturally in an impressive landscape. You can quietly walk and feel nature up close, experiencing a sense of tranquility that is hard to find in crowded cities. It is a healing space where you can rest your tired body and mind.

You can start this project on any day you want.

The minimum participation period is one week.

Eligibility and requirements

• People interested in pottery and crafts.
• People who want to learn from masters and make their own pottery.
• People curious about the methods of past potters and the charm of Korean pottery.
• People who want to learn pottery properly.
• People interested in the history of artifacts and pottery.
• People wanting to stay in Gangjin for a long time and experience a new life.
  
  

01Check out the project.	- Check your schedule to see if there are specific participation periods or if you can join anytime. - Look at stories from participants who have joined the project.
02Fill out the participation application.	- Please express yourself comfortably and honestly without pressure.
03Deposit the project fee.	- After the project registration fee or full payment is confirmed, the participant's application will be sent to the local agency. - If needed, a Skype interview will happen after the payment to confirm your participation. - If the local agency does not approve you after review, 100% of the registration and participation fees will be refunded.
04Receive confirmation of your deposit.	- The next day after you deposit the project fee, we will confirm and send you a message. - If you don’t receive a message the next day, please contact us! (For weekend deposits, we confirm on Monday morning.)
05Project participation confirmation.	- It takes about 1 to 7 days for the local agency to review the application and give final confirmation. - If you are finally accepted into the project, the person in charge will contact you separately.
06Arrival and project start.	- Participants will meet the coordinator upon arrival and attend a local orientation. - After the local orientation, participants should understand the information provided by the local agency and start the project while always keeping safety in mind. * The local orientation might not happen depending on the local agency, and it can change or be shortened based on the situation.
07 Submit a review after the project ends.	- After the project, participants will submit a review, and after review, a certificate will be issued.

* You can check the procedures after the online application in the My Page.

* Please book your transportation after you receive final confirmation of the project participation and schedule.

1. Refunds are not allowed due to personal reasons after the project is confirmed.

2. Participants are considered to have agreed to the refund policy upon applying for the project.

3. This project has a strict refund policy. If you cancel before your participation is confirmed, you will receive a 100% refund of the project fee.

4. The project schedule and content may change due to local conditions such as transportation or weather, and in unavoidable situations, it may be reduced or altered.

5. This project is run by a partnered organization that actually operates the project. Therefore, the responsibility for the project's operation lies with the local organization.

6. Please make your transportation reservations after you receive final confirmation of your participation in the project. After confirmation, we provide individual updates regarding the schedule.