Beginner14-dayWheel Throwing

Beginner Wheel Throwing Two-week course

A two-week introduction to wheel throwing in Salemi: build a solid foundation in week one, then progress to small vases, boxes and more complex shapes.

from €2,350See 3 available dates

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
You’re ready to devote 2 full weeks to learning a new craft

Dates & availability

16–29 Aug 2026

with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €2,350

Sold out

Join waitlist

7–20 Mar 2027

with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €2,550

Available

View availability

15–28 Aug 2027

with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €2,550

Available

View availability

3–16 Oct 2027

with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €2,550

Available

View availability

About this course

Two-week Introduction to Wheel Throwing

This course is a two-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, and trimming your pieces. In week two, you will be able to up your level and learn to make small vases, boxes, and more complex shapes. You will have a unique chance to fully immerse yourself in the practice of wheel throwing, making progress that would take you months of 3h-a-week practice. You'll walk away with a solid foundation in wheel throwing, which will allow you to throw 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.

Your teachers

2026 Dates

1st March - 14th March, 2026 - Joy Elsa Hänggi

5th July - 18th July, 2026 - Adele Williams

16th August - 29th August, 2026 - Chiara Zoppei

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

(📷 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.

During the weekend, the studio will be closed. You will be free to organise your own weekend plans or participate in one of our optional weekend activities.

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 6kg of dry clay (that’s plenty of pieces for a beginner!)
There is an extra charge of 25€/kg of clay for firing and glazing of more than 6kg 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.