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This two-week course is designed for potters who want to strengthen their throwing skills and explore new approaches to functional design. Consistent experience on the wheel is required, and participants must be able to confidently centre and throw pieces of 2 kg of clay on the wheel.
Working through the theme of teaware, you’ll experiment with how form, proportion, and thoughtful design choices influence both function and feel. Through hands-on making and observation, you’ll learn how to develop related forms that work together as a cohesive set.
During the first week, you will focus on wheel-throwing. Your teacher, Esther Palmer, will guide you through forming the components of a teapot, body, lid, and spout, and throwing matching cups off the hump. You will then move on to assembling your teapot, joining the thrown parts and refining details such as the spout angle, lid fit, and overall balance. Alongside the making process, you’ll discuss proportion, functionality, and how different handle materials can influence the design and feel of your pieces.
Midweek, we’ll take a trip to the coast to collect driftwood, which can later be used for handles. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with Hammered Art Design, the resident jewellery makers at Salemi Ceramics, to explore how to create metal handles in brass or copper.
The second week will focus on glazing and handle attachment. You’ll glaze your tea sets using Salemi’s house glazes and learn how to prepare and securely attach your wooden or metal handles. Through demonstrations and one-to-one guidance, you’ll gain confidence in combining different materials into a finished, functional tea set.
You will have the rare chance to immerse yourself fully in making, develop your throwing and assembly techniques, and explore new ideas without the distractions of everyday life.
Design and create your own functional tea set, exploring the full process from throwing to glazing and the creative integration of mixed materials such as collected driftwood or metal.
Over the course of two weeks, you will:
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Esther Palmer is a London-based ceramicist specialising in wheel-thrown forms. She works across both functional and sculptural ceramics, exploring how form, touch, and process shape the way we experience everyday objects.
Over the past eight years, Esther has developed her practice through residencies and exchanges in Copenhagen, Latvia, and Mexico, and completed an MA in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art in 2024. Her work often draws inspiration from the landscape, seasons and natural cycles, reflecting an interest in transformation, and the connection between people and place and time.
Esther is based at Culford Studios in London, where she manages the studio and teaches throwing. She enjoys sharing her love of clay through a hands-on, process-led approach that encourages curiosity, patience, and play in making.
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
During the weekends, the studio will be closed. You will be free to organise your own weekend plans or participate in one of our optional weekend activities.
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!
