February 14 - April 19, 2019
Officine Saffi
Via Aurelio Saffi 7, 20123, Milano 
The international jury composed of Felicity Aylieff (artist, head of program Royal College of Art), Laura Borghi (Officine Saffi), Flaminio Gualdoni (journalist, art critic and professor at Brera Academy), Tom Morris (editor and consultant) specializing in design, interiors and architecture), Isabelle Naef Galuba (director of Ariana Museum), Elisa Ossino (architect, stylist), Ranti Tjan (director of EKWC), Matteo Zauli (curator, director of Carlo Zauli Museum)

Awarded the first prize for the two categories, both 5,000 euros, to

Sophie Mirra Grandjean (CH, 1986) for the Art category.
Her art works simply reflect a gesture that springs from the intimacy of the laboratory, with a cup of tea or coffee, and the story of a guest. We find in her work the combination of narrative and technique, her pieces are simple and fresh, with a strong story behind them. (The Jury)

Aliki van der Kruijs (NL, 1984) for the Design category.
Conceived as a series but at the same time a unique work, Aliki’s plates are poetic and unique. They have the power to fix a moment forever. (The Jury)



In addition, six Artist's Residencies Awards were awarded in collaboration with major international centers. Tommaso Corvi Mora (Italy, 1969) will be in residence at Sundaymorning @ ekwc in the Netherlands, Linda Lopez (Usa, 1981)at the International Ceramic Research Center Guldagergaard in Denmark, Giulia Bonora (Italy, 1986) at Museo Carlo Zauli in Faenza, Sarah Pschorn (Germany, 1989) will go to Japan at the International Ceramic Art Festival Sasama, Virginia Leonard (Nuova Zelanda, 1965) at Amfora in Seinäjoki, Finland and finally Cecil Kemperink (Olanda, 1963) will go to Museo della Ceramica of Mondovì.

Open to Art, now in its third edition, is a biennial award that aims to enhance and promote ceramics in contemporary art and design, to identify the most innovative products and trends in terms of language and technique. The application has reached significant levels, especially from abroad, demonstrating international interest in Open to Art.

The finalists of Open to Art are:

Art Section:
Sezione Arte:
Salvatore Arancio (IT)
Giulia Bonora (IT)
Roger Coll (ES)
Tommaso Corvi Mora (IT)
Yewen Dong (PRC)
Sophie Mirra Grandjean (CH)
Joe Isanako (JP)
Cecil Kemperink (NL)
Virginia Leonard (NZ)
Claire Lindner (FR)
Linda Lopez (USA)
Claire Mayet (FR)
Jongjin Park (KR)
Sarah Pschorn (DE)
Irina Razumovskaya (RU)
Andrea Sala (IT)
Priyanka Sharma (IN)
John Shea (USA)
Alice Walton (UK)

Design Section:
Mar De Dios (ES)
Romina Gris Ormo (ES)
Yves Perrella (IT)
Claudio Pulicati (IT)
Aliki van der Kruijs (NL)


The event is staged in cooperation with:
Ariana, Swiss Museum for ceramics and glass, Ginevra, Svizzera
Museo Carlo Zauli, Faenza, Italia
Museo della Ceramica di Mondovì, Italia
Sundaymorning@ekwc, Paesi Bassi
International Ceramic Research Center Guldagergaard, Danimarca
Amfora and Seinäjoki, Finlandia

With the Patronage of Comune di Milano and MIC – International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza.