Your Teacher

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.

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Who is This Course Right For?

This course is right for you if:

• You already have solid experience with wheel throwing (you can confidently and consistently center and throw 2+ kg of clay) and basic handbuilding 
• You are curious about combining thrown and extruded pottery forms in a single work
• You wish to explore new creative possibilities and push beyond conventional vessel shapes
• You want to spend a week immersed in experimentation, composition and dialogue between form, material and function

What's Included

• Ceramics classes and mentorship by Luigi Pullini
• All materials
• Palermo Airport pick up (12-noon Sunday) or Palermo City Pick Up (11am Sunday). There is an additional charge for any pick ups at other times.
• Return Palermo Airport transfer and Palermo City drop off on Saturday, departing Salemi at 7am.
• 4 x Yoga/Meditation classes
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages from Sunday dinner through to Saturday breakfast
• Glazing and firing a max of 6kg of pieces (this will be done after the retreat has finished)

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What's Not Included

• Accommodation
• Shipping costs are charged separately ( we’ll provide you with a shipping fee document closer to the date )
• Additional cost for firing/glazing more than 3kg of pieces (it’s 25€/kg for each extra kg of clay)
• Alcoholic beverages

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Arrival/Departure

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.

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Structure of the course

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

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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.

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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.