The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. is excited to celebrate Korean pottery artist Yeonsoo Kim’s participation in the 2026 Smithsonian Craft Show with a special K-Culture Talk about this timeless art and craft.

Join an in-depth exploration of onggi (옹기), Korea’s traditional “breathing” earthenware vessel. Trace the journey of onggi from its historical function as a practical fermentation and storage container to its contemporary reinterpretation as fine art, highlighting both its functional purpose and evolving aesthetic forms.

Kim will share insights into his creative process and the cultural context behind his work, offering a deeper understanding of the evolution of his artistic practice. The program will feature an artist talk and a brief live demonstration with selected participants. On-site, attendees will have the opportunity to view his Onggi works, along with selected pieces to be showcased at the Smithsonian Craft Show.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience both the tradition and modern possibilities of onggi in one engaging event!

Onggi: A Journey from Ancient Breath to Modern Form

Monday, April 20, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM

Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.

Program: Introduction to the history and culture of Korean onggi, live demonstration, & hands-on workshop

Admission: Free (RSVP required)

RSVP HERE!

Yeonsoo Kim is a South Korean ceramic artist currently based in the United States. His work has received both national and international recognition, including being named by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) among its Emerging Artists in 2020. Most recently, he won Best in Show at the 2025 Smithsonian Craft Show and was honored as Featured Artist and Best in Show winner at Richmond Art and Design (2025).

Kim has participated in prestigious residencies, including the Archie Bray Foundation, where he was awarded the Matsutani Fellowship and the Etchart-Satre Fellowship, as well as at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and the Korea Ceramic Foundation. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics at Lamar Dodd School of Art, University of Georgia in Athens, GA, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and glass from the Hongik University located in Seoul. Kim has held apprenticeships with onggi masters in Korea’s Jeolla Province (Hayngjong Oh) and Gyeongsang Province (Jinkyu Huh).

His practice continues to explore the dialogue between traditional and contemporary form, focusing on the evocative "breathing volume" and the visceral presence of clay. For more, visit his website at www.yeonsooceramics.com.

Above, center: This piece features diverse characters and lines that interact and communicate with each other conveying their relationships to viewers. Formally the work suggests implied images and stories. The shape of the images represents my own relationships (red clay, white slip, underglaze, 2023).