Beginner Wheel Throwing course
A one-week introduction to wheel throwing in Salemi, Sicily — learn wedging, centering, throwing and trimming while enjoying the pleasures of Sicilian life.
Is this course right for you?
This course is right for you if:
- You love ceramics but you've never really tried before.
- You've tried other techniques but have never dared trying wheel-throwing.
- You’ve tried wheel throwing before but have never learned to centre independently, or struggle to centre clay in general.
- You've tried the wheel before but you've never given yourself a chance to really practise and learn, and you simply want a chance to spend a whole week practising on the wheel without worrying about anything else.
Dates & availability
26 Jul – 1 Aug 2026
with Anna Basile · Studio 1 · €1,350
2–8 Aug 2026
with Anna Basile · Studio 3 · €1,350
30 Aug – 5 Sep 2026
with Lisa Kosak · Studio 2 · €1,350
13–19 Sep 2026
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 1 · €1,350
11–17 Oct 2026
with Esther Palmer · Studio 1 · €1,350
18–24 Oct 2026
with Adele Williams · Studio 3 · €1,350
22–28 Nov 2026
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 2 · €1,350
29 Nov – 5 Dec 2026
with Adele Williams · Studio 3 · €1,350
14–20 Feb 2027
with Anna Basile · Studio 3 · €1,450
28 Feb – 6 Mar 2027
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,450
21–27 Mar 2027
· Studio 2 · €1,450
11–17 Apr 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
18–24 Apr 2027
with Michelle Calvo · Studio 2 · €1,450
25 Apr – 1 May 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
2–8 May 2027
with Lisa Kosak · Studio 2 · €1,450
30 May – 5 Jun 2027
with Esther Palmer · Studio 2 · €1,450
6–12 Jun 2027
with Adele Williams · Studio 1 · €1,450
13–19 Jun 2027
with Eva Corominas Solano · Studio 3 · €1,450
4–10 Jul 2027
with Lucia Ocejo · Studio 3 · €1,450
11–17 Jul 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
18–24 Jul 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
1–7 Aug 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
22–28 Aug 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
5–11 Sep 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
19–25 Sep 2027
· Studio 2 · €1,450
17–23 Oct 2027
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,450
31 Oct – 6 Nov 2027
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 3 · €1,450
7–13 Nov 2027
with Adele Williams · Studio 2 · €1,450
14–20 Nov 2027
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 3 · €1,450
28 Nov – 4 Dec 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 1 · €1,450
About this course
Do you feel like one week in this beautiful setting just isn’t enough? Want to spend more time in Salemi focusing exclusively on wheel throwing?
Check out our 2-week Introduction to Wheel Throwing course! It's perfect for those looking to deepen their skills while fully immersing themselves in the art of ceramics.
This course is a one-week introduction to the art of wheel throwing, during which you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the practice of ceramics while also enjoying the tranquil pleasures of Sicilian life.
During the course you will learn the basics of wheel throwing: wedging, centering, throwing cups and bowls (even small vases for the most ambitious!) and trimming your pieces. Making progress that would take you months of 3 hours-a-week practice. You'll walk away with a solid foundation in wheel throwing which will allow you to start throwing your own pieces from scratch once back home.
By the end of the course you will have the opportunity to choose which pieces you would like fired, glazed and shipped to you. As pieces need approximately a week to dry out, this will be done for you once the course has concluded.
We also offer intermediate and advanced wheel throwing programs. Click here to see the full schedule.
Discover the territory/ Discover Sicily
During this week, you won’t just get a ceramics course. We’ve also organised a program of activity so that you can connect with Sicilian culture, get to know beautiful Salemi and its rich history and territory.
You will:
- Eat breakfast like the locals do in our favourite local bars
- Enjoy meals in a variety of authentic, local Sicilian restaurants / home-restaurants
- Seasonal cultural excursions
Our Teachers
We have different visiting teachers every month, chosen amongst the most brilliant Italian and European ceramicists and ceramics instructors.
To see which teacher will lead our upcoming beginners course and learn more about them, go to View all courses and click on the teacher’s name.
(📷 by Sabela Andrés @sabelaandres)
Arrival and 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 11:30 or Palermo Airport at 12:30. On Sunday afternoon (circa 16:30, 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 07:00 on Saturday morning.
**For pick-ups and drop-offs outside of these times and locations, please contact us for a transfer quote.
Schedule of the week＋
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 09:00 through to approximately 17:00 on Friday afternoon. Studio time is a combination of teaching and non-teaching time. You can expect a typical day to look like this:
08:00 - Yoga in the courtyard (optional) 09:00 - 13:00 - Studio (teaching with a coffee/tea break at 10:30 in the courtyard) 13:00 - Shared lunch in the courtyard 14:00 - 16:30 - Free Studio Time - Afternoon studio hours are primarily self-directed practice, with your teacher available in the studio for guidance 19:00 - 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.
What you'll take home＋
Although the course is focused on learning rather than making pieces, you will be able to keep some of the pieces you make:
- The course includes the firing and glazing of up to 3 kg of dry clay (that’s plenty of small pieces for a beginner).
- There is an extra charge of 25€/kg of clay for firing and glazing of more than 3kg of clay.
- All pieces will be glazed with a standard transparent high temperature glaze.
- We do not ship unglazed bisque pieces, as the chances of them breaking during shipping are too high.
- Shipping costs are charged separately (we’ll provide you with a shipping fee document closer to the date)
What happens after you book
- 1
Book your date
Secure your spot on WeTravel with the deposit or the full amount.
- 2
Confirmation
Two confirmation emails arrive - one from WeTravel, one from us - plus a short form for your personal and travel details.
- 3
60 days before
If you paid a deposit, the balance is due now. Reminders come 7 days before, 3 days before and on the day.
- 4
30 days before
Your course info pack: arrival and departure details, course structure, useful tips, transfer and shipping costs.
- 5
10 days before
You'll be invited to the course WhatsApp group and receive the shipping address form. Then - see you in Salemi!
Common questions
Can I pay a deposit instead of the full amount?＋
Yes - paying the deposit confirms your place. The balance is due 60 days before the course starts, and you'll get automated reminders so nothing sneaks up on you.
What happens right after I book?＋
Two confirmation emails (WeTravel + Salemi Ceramics) and a short form for your personal and travel details. Everything else - info pack, WhatsApp group - follows automatically in the weeks before your course.
What if I need to cancel or change dates?＋
Contact us as early as possible and we'll look at options together. The full cancellation and transfer terms are in the Terms and Conditions.
Do I need to prove my skill level?＋
Beginner courses need no experience at all. Intermediate and advanced courses ask for a short self-assessment before booking, so we can make sure the course fits where you are.
More in the booking guide and FAQs.
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Beginner Wheel Throwing Two-week course
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with Massimo Pavan
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from €1,350
Next date: 14 February 2027