Manises: An international showcase for ceramic talent

Historical legacy and innovation go hand in hand at the Manises International Ceramics Biennial (BICM2026), which, in its 17th edition, has brought together 486 works by 345 artists and designers from 49 countries. This event, organized by the Manises City Council, reinforces a heritage of more than seven centuries of ceramic tradition that is evident in the streets, on building facades, and in the frames of main entrances—a true symbol of the city’s identity. It is no surprise that Manises has been internationally recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts.

This competition began as a national contest in 1972, expanded to a European scope in 1991, and went global in 2001. Today it is divided into two categories: art and product design. Its international focus is also reflected in Manises’s sister-city relationships with two cities: Montelupo Fiorentino in Italy and Vénissieux in France.

The Los Filtros exhibition hall at City Hall is hosting a selection of pieces submitted to the competition, as well as the award-winning works, through the end of July.

In the art category, the first City of Manises Prize was awarded to the work “Soma reflejado” by biologist and ceramicist Manuel Barreiro (Spain), a symbol of the complex structures that support the human body; the second City of Manises Prize went to the work “La nube” by Rafaela Pareja (Spain), created using porcelain and paper.

In addition to cash prizes of €8,000 and €4,000, respectively, both artists will exhibit their work in solo exhibitions as part of the next edition of the biennial. The City of Vénissieux Prize, open to artists under 35 and worth €1,800, was awarded to “Wood” by Wang Zhaojing (China), who employed nerikomi technology to explore an existential concept.

The Montelupo Museum Foundation Award has been won by “Anima,” by Alejandra Hermida (Mexico), a work that draws attention to the state of coral reefs affected by the effects of climate change; the prize consists of an artist residency in the Italian city twinned with Manises.

This year, the biennial introduced the new Lladró Artist-in-Residence Award, which recognized the work “Beyond Boundaries” by Marta Armada (Spain)—a composition of 85 small cups with celadon glaze that the artist began creating during a stay in Japan and which ties in with her other pieces in the field of jewelry design. In addition, the jury also recognized ‘Withered Leaf’ by Liu Danhua (China), awarding it an Honorable Mention.

In the second category of ceramic product design, the City of Manises Award went to the piece “Donut” by Anette Leegaard and Alexandru Murar of Studio Skuret (Denmark).

The director of the biennial, Teresa Segura, highlighted the organization of other activities related to the biennial, including lectures, panel discussions, guided tours, and screenings as part of the CICEMA Ceramic Film Festival. Meanwhile, the winners of the previous edition are each featuring in solo exhibitions. “Form as Consequence,” by Juan Ortí, can be viewed in the MUMAF gallery of the L’Art building; and “Forms of Nature and Reef,” by Carlos Martínez, is on display in the Gimeno Ceramics Gallery at the Casa de Cultura.

One of the highlights of the 2026 Manises International Ceramics Biennial is that the physical award presented to the top two winners in the ceramic art and design categories is the result of a collaboration among several local artists: the artist duo PichiAvo, who enjoy widespread international recognition, designed the trophy; Juan Carlos Iñesta, from Domanises, was responsible for the mold-making and casting; and Arturo Mora, the only master craftsman in metallic reflection who upholds the ancestral tradition for which the city is renowned, has decorated the piece.

Aside from the BICM2026 winners, the selection of pieces does not go unnoticed, and the level of mastery, creativity, and innovation is remarkable, with examples such as the pieces by: Aniana Heras (Spain), Teresa de la Cal (Spain), Tamara Arroyo (Spain), Ana Illueca (Spain), Theodora Tsirakoglou (Greece), Aleksandra Wyszatycka-Grzesiak (Poland), Graciela Vega Santander (France), and Marcin Kuberna (Poland), to name just a few.

17th Manises International Ceramics Biennial.
Los Filtros Exhibition Hall. Av. dels Tramvies s/n. 46940 Manises, (Valencia).

Written by: Beatriz Fabián

Beatriz is a journalist specializing in offline and online editorial content on design, architecture, interior design, art, gastronomy, and lifestyle.