Terra Studio

The International Symposium of Large-Scale Terracotta Sculpture – Terra was founded in 1982 by academic sculptor Slobodan Kojić. Since then, it has been held every year from July 1 to 31, in Kikinda.  

The honour to represent Yugoslav fine arts at the 48^th Venice Biennale, that was held in 1999, was, among others, given to sculptors who were part of the International Symposium of Large-Scale Terracotta Sculpture – Terra. 

Over the course of all these years, the sculptors attending the Kikinda Symposium expressed their reactions to and reflections on social events in an authentic sculptural way, and no thematic or conceptual demands were ever placed before the participants of Terra. 

When it comes to large-scale terracotta sculpture and contemporary art, the Terra symposium is unique in the world. Sculptures from the funds of the "Terra" symposium were exhibited at numerous exhibitions in many cities in Serbia and abroad.  

Over the course of all these years, the sculptors attending the Kikinda Symposium expressed their reactions to and reflections on social events.

During the four decades of its existence, Terra strived to “introduce” its participants to a specific process of creation that cannot be achieved in everyday art-studio practice.

Here, sculptors are offered the possibility of a one-of-a-kind artistic professional development and that is why the Kikinda gathering of sculptors is defined as – a Symposium. 

In the Studio, special attention is immediately drawn to the kiln for baking sculptures, which is of a unique size, 2.5 meters high. It is this kiln that has enabled artists to create large-scale monolithic sculptures at that height and beyond. 

The Studio was renovated in 2010 and currently serves as a unique workspace for artists. The total working area of the Terra Studio is 600 square meters. A virtual journey through a diverse set of outdoor sculptures scattered throughout the Studio Terra Park in Kikinda.

The facility is equipped to the highest standards and offers a wide range of possibilities for its users.   Every year, five to eight artists from Serbia and abroad participate in the Terra Symposium. 

Since 2018, in cooperation with the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, the Terra Atelier is the venue of a terracotta sculpture specialist study programme, a unique study programme in Europe and the world due to decades of experience accumulated during the history of the Symposium.

Under the auspices of the International Symposium Terra, the project TERA VIVA – ART FEST arose as a result of the synergy between thematic events – Terra Acustica, Terra Beats, Terra Classica, Terra Poetica and Terra Kids. 

This manifestation takes place as a multi-day festival, creative-research-educational and audio-visual event that brings together mostly young and non-established bands/performers/songwriters/poets, dabbling in various contemporary art styles.

The festival has been held continuously since 2012 and, through its diverse programme, Terra Viva has always been actively engaged in connecting culture with tourism, small businesses, educational institutions.

The event gathers mostly young and unestablished bands/performers/singer-songwriters/poets who deal with the contemporary form of various artistic styles and artistic-educational workshops with different social groups. 

During the four decades of its existence, Terra strived to “introduce” its participants to a specific process of creation that cannot be achieved in everyday art-studio practice. 

The Studio was renovated in 2010 and currently serves as a unique workspace for artists. The total working area of the Terra Studio is 600 square meters. Here, sculptors are offered the possibility of a one-of-a-kind artistic professional development. 

In the Studio, special attention is immediately drawn to the kiln for baking sculptures, which is of a unique size, 2.5 meters high. 

It is this kiln that has enabled artists to create large-scale monolithic sculptures at that height and beyond. In addition to this kiln, six other kilns of different dimensions are also in operation. 

Sculptors are offered the possibility of a one-of-a-kind artistic professional development and that is why the Kikinda gathering of sculptors is defined as – a Symposium.  

The facility is equipped to the highest standards and offers a wide range of possibilities for its users. 

Detail of original roof construction at Studio Terra.