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This course is directed at ceramicists who wish to explore new and sustainable ways of creating glazes, using both recycled matter and locally collected raw materials.
You will learn how to identify useful components hidden in everyday waste such as glass, ashes, broken ceramics, and how to combine them with natural materials like clays, soils and rocks found in the surrounding environment. Together, these overlooked resources will become the basis for developing high-temperature glazes.
After an introduction to glaze chemistry, the workshop will move into full experimentation: collecting and preparing materials, running tests, and comparing results as a group. Rather than working with commercial recipes, you will be encouraged to experiment, observe, and record outcomes – transforming both waste and natural matter into glazes that are unique, personal, and more environmentally conscious.
The teacher will guide you through this process, helping you connect the technical with the creative while cultivating an experimental mindset.
By the end of the week, you will have built not only a wide range of glaze tests, but also learned how to create a photographic archive documenting the results, which will be handed to each participant as a resource for future studio work.
Although the course focuses on glaze research rather than finished ceramic objects.
Each participant will receive a digital photographic archive of the collective experiments, providing a solid base for continuing independent glaze testing after the course.
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Luigi Pullini is an Italian potter, researcher, and teacher whose practice centers on the use of self-sourced materials for clay bodies and glazes. Based in Italy, he develops workshops and intensive courses aimed at promoting an independent approach to ceramics, directly connected to the origin of materials and not to the suppliers.
After graduating in Ceramic Design at the State Art Institute of Grottaglie, Luigi began a personal research path focused on self-producing stoneware and glazes from local clays, rocks, and plant ashes. His work is deeply rooted in atmospheric firing traditions, particularly wood and soda firing, and has been influenced by the legacy of Japanese and English studio pottery.
Through his teaching, Luigi shares practical methods for collecting and transforming natural and anthropic materials into high-fire clay bodies and glazes, encouraging a more conscious and autonomous ceramic practice inspired by past traditions and adapted to contemporary needs.
This course is right for you if:
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We ask that you plan your arrival for Sunday. We have an included pick-up from either Palermo Centre (in front of Hotel Politeama) at 1100 or Palermo Airport at 1200. On Sunday afternoon (circa 1630, subject to change), you will be welcomed to Salemi by one of our team members, who will take you on an orientation walk of the historical centre. This will be followed by a welcome apericena (light dinner) with a Salemi Spritz at one of our favourite local restaurants.
We will bid you farewell at the end of your time in Salemi with an included transfer to either Palermo Airport or Palermo Centre (Piazza Politeama), departing Salemi at 0700 on Saturday morning.
**For pick-ups and drop-offs outside of these times and locations, please contact us for a transfer quote.
This is an intensive learning week! Teaching is primarily group-based with moments of individual feedback built in. Please note this is not one-on-one tuition.
You will be in the studio from Monday at 0900 through to approximately 1700 on Friday afternoon. Studio time is a combination of teaching and non-teaching time. You can expect a typical day to look like this:
0800 - Yoga in the courtyard (optional)
0900 - 1300 - Studio (teaching with a coffee/tea break at 1030 in the courtyard)
1300 - Shared lunch in the courtyard
1400 - 1630 - Free Studio Time - Afternoon studio hours are primarily self-directed practice, with your teacher available in the studio for guidance
1900 - Dinners are a combination of eating at local restaurants, home restaurants, and in-house at the studio
Please note
Our program is carefully designed to balance teaching, practice, meals, and cultural experiences, and we do our best to follow the planned schedule. However, all times and activities are indicative and may shift with the season, the weather, or the needs of the group. Studio sessions, meals, and excursions may be adjusted, rescheduled, or substituted at our discretion. Flexibility is part of the Salemi Ceramics experience, and we believe these small changes often add to the richness of your time with us.
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We want to make Salemi a recognised centre for contemporary ceramic art. Come and be part of it!
