Marble Symposium

Afyonkarahisar International Marble Sculpture Symposium

10 September – 10 October 2025 | Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye

 
 
Call for Artist

Afyonkarahisar International Marble Sculpture Symposium

Call for Applications

Where art comes to life in Afyonkarahisar, the heart of marble.

Sculptors from around the world are invited to apply for the International Afyonkarahisar Marble Sculpture Symposium, taking place from 10 September to 10 October 2025 in Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye which is the city renowned as the heart of marble craftsmanship and the land where the Republic was won. Organised by Afyonkarahisar Municipality and the City Council Culture and Arts Working Group, the symposium brings together artists in a unique setting where tradition meets creativity.

This month-long symposium offers a unique opportunity for artists to come together in a setting rich with history, natural beauty, and cultural significance. Participants will create original marble sculptures, shaped by their own artistic vision and inspired by the region’s profound historical and natural heritage.

Up to ten artists (plus two substitutes) will be selected by a professional Selection Committee based on application materials submitted. Selected artists will be provided with transportation, accommodation, and meals, and will receive a €2500 (in Turkish Lira equivalent) stipend to support production and participation costs.

Evaluation criteria are as follows:
– Originality and aesthetic value,
– Material and technical adequacy,
– Applicability and durability,
– Suitability for the public sphere.

To apply, please follow the steps below.

Afyonkarahisar International Marble Sculpture Symposium
Key Dates
Symposium Dates:

10 September – 10 October 2025
Afyonkarahisar Motor Sports Centre
Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye

Application & File Submission:
10–20 August 2025
Final Deadline: 20 August 2025

Application Email:
📩 info@afmarblesemp.org

Symposium Guidelines

Symposium Guidelines

The Afyonkarahisar International Marble Sculpture Symposium will take place in Afyonkarahisar from 10 September to 10 October 2025.

The theme of the symposium is open (Free Theme).

A total of ten artists (plus two substitutes) will be selected to participate. The final number of participants may be fewer than ten, subject to the Selection Committee’s recommendation and the organiser’s approval.

Artists will be selected by the Selection Committee based on the application materials submitted.

Transportation, accommodation, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for the participating artists will be provided by Afyonkarahisar Municipality.

Each artist who completes their sculpture within the designated time and space will receive €2500 (in the Turkish Lira equivalent) as a contribution towards general expenses and royalties.

Please read the full Terms and Conditions carefully before submitting your application.

Download the full Symposium Guidelines

1.-International-Afyonkarahisar-Marble-Sculpture-Symposium-Regulations_04072025145050-3

Application

Application Details

Application Dates: 10 – 20 August 2025

All application documents must be submitted in a single email as uncompressed JPEG, DOC, or PDF files no later than 17:00 (local time) on 20 August 2025 to the email address provided below.

Please note:

  • Only applications submitted via email will be accepted.

  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Application Email: info@afmarblesemp.org

Download Application Form

1.-International-Afyonkarahisar-Marble-Sculpture-Symposium-Application-Form_04072025145050-2

Selection Committee

Av. Burcu Köksal
Afyonkarahisar Mayor, Symposium Selection Committee Chairman

Prof. Dr. Ş. Ebru Okuyucu
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Afyon Kocatepe University

Prof. Dr. Arzu Atıl
Head of Sculpture Department, Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Department Faculty Member

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bulat
Head of Sculpture Department, Atatürk University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Department 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Yılmaz
Erciyes University, Faculty of  Fine Arts, Sculpture Department Faculty Member

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Yılmaz
Anadolu University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Department Faculty Member

Ass. Prof. Ayla Torun 
Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture Faculty Member
Co-founder – Turkish British Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries –  C4CCI 

Sezer Sancar
Artist & Art Consultant

Executive Committee

Ahmet Akkent
President of Afyonkarahisar City Council

Başak Nakılcıoğlu
Head of City Council Culture and Arts Working Group