Mungyeong Ceramic Museum

The city of Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has produced pottery since the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and thus boasts 900 years of history in the craft. Clay vessels used by laypeople are the main products of that era, and today, the city preserves its cultural heritage with the annual Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal (Tea Bowl) Festival. Located at the entrance to the mountain pass Mungyeong Saejae, the Mungyeong Ceramics Museum showcases the region¡¯s rich legacy of ceramics such as its history and production processes, types and works by potters from the area. Admission is free.

National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea in Seoul, the main storehouse and display venue for relics and items representing the nation, is the world¡¯s sixth-largest museum in size, with the exhibition trail comprising 4km in length. The museum¡¯s six permanent exhibitions display 12,044 relics, and special exhibitions offer even more treasures. Best of all, admission is free.

The third floor has an exhibition hall for crafts and sculptures, plus an experiential craft room. From Goryeo celadon to the buncheong (ceramic) ware and Joseon porcelain of succeeding periods, the 700 ceramic works on display show the evolving spirit of these dynasties. Dalhangari (moon jar), designated National Treasure No. 1437, is a fitting finale to the permanent exhibitions. Baked into a slight asymmetry, this elegant jar is aesthetically representative of the Joseon era¡¯s affinity for softly rounded porcelain figures.

© Studio Kenn

Horim Museum

The Horim Museum is renowned for its ceramic works, with 7,000 of its 17,000-plus relics being ceramics. With 62 cultural properties designated as national treasures by the central government and 11 by the Seoul city government, the museum promises high prestige through its displays.

Its main building in the Sillim-dong neighborhood of Seoul primarily hosts permanent exhibitions of authentic Korean relics like porcelain and prehistoric artifacts. The fourth floor of the annex in the Sinsa-dong neighborhood displays the museum¡¯s main ceramic works, including those designated as national treasures. Special exhibitions come three to four times per year; the third floor¡¯s latest exhibition features around 93 sundry ceramic articles. The exhibition schedule is available on the museum¡¯s website.

© Horim Museum

Cerapia

Having opened its doors in 2001 in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, the theme park Cerapia got its name by combining the words ¡°ceramic¡± and ¡°utopia.¡± Its main facility, World Ceramic Center, exhibits some 2,000 modern works by artists from home and abroad. Creative residencies and production studios there allow visitors to watch the processes through which artists breathe life into their works. This comprehensive cultural space grants the public further access through watching the creation process or interacting with artists.

The center¡¯s first floor houses a ceramic art store that sells works in stock by ceramicists or flawed creations offered at discount prices. From traditionally crafted works baked in kilns to handicrafts boasting more mainstream appearances, the store offers a wide array of ceramic items. Delivery of purchased items is available at additional cost.

© Cerapia