Timeline of Relyef
The Story of Rélyéf
1973–1999: Foundations and First Firings
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1973 – Born into a creative environment.
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1992 – Started our independent ceramics business.
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1993 – Acquired our first LAC kiln and exhibited at our first pottery fair.
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1995 – Showcased original ceramics at exhibitions and craft markets.
2000–2009: Community and Innovation
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2004 – Founded the first Czech ceramics portal: ARTkeramika.cz
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2007 – Co-founded Doupě Ceramic Center: Keramické centrum Doupě.
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2007 – Published the book Keramika by Tomáš Macek (Albatros Media).
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2008 – Co-established the Czech Black Raku (Černoraku) tradition.
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2009 – Built wood kilns with tall chimneys and Bourry boxes.
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2009 – Launched our e-shop on ARTkeramika.cz
2010–2015: Experimentation and Expansion
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2010 – Built a full wood kiln with Bourry box.
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2011 – Created ceramic sample boards for ARTik Studio to test and present glazes.
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2012 – Co-organized the Slavkovsky Sklepmistr event.
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2012 – Set a Czech record with a meter-tall RAKU vase firing.
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2012 – Built a special Raku kiln for the event.
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2012 – Conducted first public experiments with Black Raku.
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2012 – Improved Kittec's professional spray booth with Groh & Nishida.
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2013 – Ceramics in the Cellars – exhibition held in the underground halls of Slavkov Castle.
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2014 – Master Raku ceramics at Brno's Artissimo.
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2014 – Modified LP gas kilns and conducted experimental firings.
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2014 – Developed a wood-fired top-hat kiln for Kittec.
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2014 – Forged special Kuro Raku tongs.
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2015 – Kuro Raku event and exploration of basalt glazes.
2016–2018: Rélyéf Is Born
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2016 – Began working with Radovan; developed our first 3D-printed stamps.
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2016 – Built Raku kilns fired by charcoal.
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2016 – Launched Black Raku lab and held exhibitions:
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2017 – Shared philosophy in "Ceramics is eternal".
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2017 – Released first Rélyéf tools and rollers via ARTkeramika.cz
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2017 – Presented Rélyéf at Kunštát and Beroun.
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2017 – Hosted Kvevri workshops and rocket kiln events.
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2017 – Introduced dual kiln system.
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2018 – Participated in archeological research with UMPRUM and Všetaty.
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2018 – Exhibited in Wrocław. Workshop, Chawan making.
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2018 – Cooperated with Kittec on slab rollers.
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2018 – Rebranded ARTkeramika into Rélyéf.
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2018 – Moved into a commercial space and built a large 3D farm.
2019–2021: Diversifying Craft and Technology
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2019 – Founded Rainbowwedge s.r.o.
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2019 – Created Parallelclimbing as a new climbing sport.
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2019 – Presented Kuro Raku at Wrocław Festival (FB).
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2019 – Demonstrated Kuro Raku at UMPRUM and UJEP.
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2019 – Used CzechTrade to explore the US market.
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2020 – Relocated to modern R&D space at TITC.
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2020 – Presented Kuro Raku to Raku Kichizaemon XV & XVI (Official site).
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2020 – Designed cheese molds for Sýrárna Bratří Brunnerů s.r.o.
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2020 – Co-developed respirators with VUT Brno.
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2020 – Developed lab equipment for COVID testing.
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2021 – Supplied Skinners with custom display tools.
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2021 – Delivered molds and prototypes for food and stage design.
2022–2025: Rélyéf Worldwide
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2022 – Brand refresh with House of Řezáč.
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2022 – Launched B2B & B2C Shopify store.
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2022 – Introduced roller attachments for Shimpo slab rollers.
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2023 – Developed teaware molds for Sage Teaware.
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2023 – Released large slab roller attachments for Kittec.
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2024 – Designed the Rélyéf SVS slab roller.
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2024 – Hosted distributor symposium with Spectrum Glazes.
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2025 – Introduced adapters for North Star, Hot Clay and Gladstone.
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2025 – Introduced dies for handheld extruder and new manual slab roller.
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2025 – SVS slab roller received Patent Pending status.
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2025 – Proudly presented at NCECA Utah, USA.
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2025 – Unified B2B and B2C into a single platform.
Fueled by Passion, Not Subsidies
Everything we've built was self-funded. No grants. No subsidies. Just years of passion, persistence, and hands-on dedication to ceramics.
