.avif)
This course offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in woodfiring, learning how to load and control a wood-fired kiln as well as exploring the theory and practice of ash glazes.
After successfully running three one-week woodfiring courses, we’re now expanding the experience into a two-week program. This extended format allows students to explore woodfiring in greater depth, with extended time for both theory and practice..
Throughout the course, we will create glazes using local ashes and clays, drawing inspiration from traditional East Asian ash glazes as well as experimenting with innovative recipes based on local materials. Students will gain a solid foundation in glaze chemistry and the theory and practice of ash glazes.
We will carry out two firings in our 260L fast-firing Phoenix kiln, one for testing glazes and one for achieving final results. The kiln can easily reach 1300°C in six hours, though it can also be fired more slowly depending on the desired outcome.
Participants are welcome to bring a few bisque-fired pieces of their own. Alternatively, the studio will provide each student with 14 small (12 × 12 cm) and 2 large (25 cm high) bisqued pieces to glaze and fire during the course.
Over the weekend, students can take part in optional extra activities, such as cultural excursions or beach trips, depending on the weather.
You will walk away from the course with:
Mati Cini is Salemi Ceramic’s lead ceramicist. She lives between Barcelona and Salemi and has been a ceramicist and ceramics teacher for the past 10 years. A disciple of Jaime Romero, she has built several kilns in Spain before coming to Salemi, and has extensively researched natural glazes and ash glazes.
Previous ceramics experience is preferred.
This course is right for you if:
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 Sunday 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. A typical day looks 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.
Alongside this daily rhythm, you’ll also follow the specific firing program (this may vary depending on factors such as good weather for firing):
Please note: The exact schedule may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions for firing. Our program is carefully designed to balance teaching, practice, meals, and cultural experiences, and we do our best to follow the planned timetable. 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.
.avif)
.avif)
We want to make Salemi a recognised centre for contemporary ceramic art. Come and be part of it!
