On the esplanade Francis Palmero of Chin this Saturday, May 23, 2026, took place the first day of Marché international méditerranéen de la céramique.
Under the barnums, visitors wandered between turned bowls, enameled vases, stoneware fired over a wood fire, delicate porcelain and sculpted pieces.
But in front of a stand that showcased Menton’s citrus fruits, a man whispered to his partner a phrase that we often hear in the artisanal streets: « More how do they make a living ? ».
And indeed, the question deserves to be asked, as reality moves away from the romantic image of the potter behind his wheel.
“It’s difficult”immediately summarizes Stéphane Montalto, Meilleur Ouvrier de France potter. « L’activité a baissepartly because of Chinese imports. The large companies have disappeared, the profession survives thanks to small artisans. HAS”
According to the president of the Potiers Méditerranée association, organizer of the event, certain specialties are particularly threatened. “These are especially the turnersthose who are given a form to realize and who must reproduce it again and again. HAS”
“For many, there is no that passion to guide us »says Tiago Chevalley, Franco-Argentinian ceramist, behind his copper-tinted creations.
Tiago Chevalley is in his fourth year of activity. Its specialty: underfired chamotté stoneware pieces and copper oxide to tint its ceramics.
Photo L. B.
As for many craftsmen, “You have to supplement with RSA, otherwise you won’t get by. I have already made markets at a loss, but ceramics are my whole life. HAS”
This précarité is all the more striking since the making of a ceramic is not limited to the spectacular moment of filming, the one highlighted in particular this Saturday, during the potters’ competition.
“Before we get to filming, there are a lot of steps”explains Ann Xhrouet, who makes kitchen objects with her husband combining terracotta and wood. “There is a lot of work upstream which is enormous: preparing the clay and the enamels, organizing the workshop, planning the firings, managing stocks… ” Especially since each step carries its risks: cracks, deformations, cooking defects…
“We have to do everything”confirms Clémence Bienvenu, in her twenties, the youngest ceramist of the day. “You also have to sell, communicate, manage administration”pursues the one who comes just launched its activity in Toulon.
The rise of social networks, a trap for some
From skin to earth, there is only one step, and Sophie Sarramégna has taken it. With her “Tim Burtonian” inspirations, she went from tattoo artist to ceramic artist.
Photo L. B.
Paradoxically, the profession has never been so visible. For several years, filming and modeling videos have experienced a dazzling success on social networks.
For certain artisans, this exhibition constitutes an opportunity. “Social networks have a good impact on the profession”estimates Jana Bahor, who came from Slovenia with her husband to exhibit their creations. “They make it possible to reach customers all over the world. With a simple QR code, we become a global store. HAS”
But this visibility has its downside. “With Covid, there was an explosion of interest”observe Ann Xhrouet. “The problem is that people immediately find answers on the internet. They reproduce techniques without necessarily experimenting. However, there are thousands of ways to work the land. Everyone must find their own style. HAS”
Clémence Bienvenu shares this observation. “The networks highlight us, that’s undeniable. But this also trivializes our profession. People think it’s simple. To be really good, you need at least ten years. HAS”
This same ambivalence appears when it comes to new technologies. For Stéphane Montalto, 3D printing in clay has real creative interest. “It is interesting for parts that cannot be turned, anything that is not round. But for production, it’s still too slow. HAS”
Ann Xhrouet remains more reserved. “Many tools today provide us with certain know-how. Centering your land on the lathe is one of the greatest difficulties of the profession, but also of great interest. Now, some pliers allow us to do it for us, which is a shame. HAS”
Despite everything, the ceramic artisans persist in turning and firing their clay. They are still present this Sunday May 24, 2026 on the Francis-Palmero esplanade to present them to the public.
