4 Craft Experiences

Through contests, fairs, and spaces for conservation and exhibitions, traditional Korean crafts are seeing efforts from both the public and private sectors to boost and stabilize the related market. The following four events and one center feature the best in traditional Korean crafts.

Written by Kim Jane

Cheongju Craft Biennale & 2020 Traditional Crafts Festival

Since 1999, the Cheongju Craft Biennale has featured a wide selection of craftworks including traditional categories of ceramics, lacquer, textiles and metals. This international event attracts 3,000 artists from 60 countries every year, with an average of 40,000 visitors.

This year’s Traditional Crafts Festival from Sept. 25-27 will be held at the Culture Factory C in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. This event has more behind-the-scenes resources than the biennale, like traditional craft-making processes, as well as exhibitions or seminars. Craft bazaars and eclectic performances will also amp up the mood at the festivities.

© Cheongju Craft Biennale

Craft Trend Fair

Organized by the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, the annual Craft Trend Fair will mark its 15th anniversary this year. Slated from Dec. 3-6 at the Seoul COEX, the event connects consumers to craft professionals in stimulating interaction from both within and outside the industry. The fair has seen a steadily increasing number of visitors from an estimated 52,000 in 2017 to over 73,000 last year. In tandem with the rise in visitors is a surge in annual onsite sales of artworks. And nearly 70% of visitors are aged between 10 and 29, attesting to the event’s appeal to the younger generation.

All craft-related entities from companies to individuals are encouraged to apply, including cooperatives, brands, galleries and even educational institutions. Besides awarding outstanding craftspeople for exceptional artistry, the KCDF offers a wide range of support programs, residencies and business opportunities. Free admission is available to those who register a month prior to the event.

© Korea Craft & Design Foundation

© Korea Craft & Design Foundation

National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center

Founded in 1997 by the Cultural Heritage Administration, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center, operated by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, strives to preserve cultural assets of diverse forms including traditional craftworks such as gannil, needlework, sculpting and quilting. The center hosts workshops specifically catering to activities designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, ranging from musical instruments and cutlery production to a range of performing arts. Twelve craft workshops are taught by those designated Intangible Cultural Property, expert instructors and training assistants.

Training programs for most traditional activities vary by level, inviting dabblers as well as experts. Resources at the center are in Korean only, but for English, Japanese and Chinese speakers, the foundation offers traditional Korean experiences at the Korea House in Seoul’s Jung-gu District.

© Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation

© Korea Craft & Design Foundation

Masterpieces of Traditional Craft Exhibition

The 40th annual Masterpieces of Traditional Craft Exhibition will run from June 11-24 on the second and third floors of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center. Hosted by the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Association and the National Intangible Heritage Center and funded by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the event since 1979 has supported craft professionals who deal with materials like lacquer, seashell, wood, metal, bamboo, ceramics, paper and jade. Among the exhibited craftworks are 23 receiving the designation of Intangible Cultural Property.

Later in the year, the association will co-host with the National Intangible Heritage Center its other hallmark event, the Korea Annual Traditional Handicraft Art Exhibition, which marks its 45th anniversary this year.

© National Intangible Cultural Heritage Association

© National Intangible Cultural Heritage Association