Special14-dayHandbuilding

Experimental Clay Furniture with Joan Carreras

Build ambitious clay furniture with Joan Carreras — two weeks of large-scale handbuilding between design and sculpture.

Is this course right for you?

Blocklay is aimed at creatives from fields such as design, architecture, art, or other material practices who are interested in working at a larger scale and exploring new construction methods. It is especially suited for those curious about modular systems, spatial thinking, and functional objects.

No prior experience in ceramics is required, but an interest in design processes, structure, and experimentation will help you fully engage with the course.

Dates & availability

15–28 Aug 2027

with Joan Carreras · Studio 3 · €2,550

Available

View availability

About this course

Blocklay is a two-week intensive course that explores clay furniture-making through a design-driven approach. Focusing on modular systems of construction, the course teaches how to break down a larger object into essential components, understanding divisions, structure, and assembly as the foundation of the final piece.

Using wooden molds and manila paper, participants will develop a clear and repeatable building logic, allowing complex ceramic furniture to be constructed with precision and intention through the repetition of smaller modular parts. The process combines planning, prototyping, and hands-on making, positioning clay as a material for structure as much as expression.

During the course, participants will collaborate on the design and creation of a collective furniture piece for the School of Salemi. After the course, the modular piece will be fire and installed, bearing all of the participants’ names as authors. Students will also be able to keep on modular piece as a “memento” of the project.

Alongside the creation of the larger collaborative piece, each student will also design and produce their own smaller furniture object (ready to be taken home.!) applying the same construction principlesBalancing system and play, Blocklay frames ceramics as a language of building:where each block contributes to a larger whole.

Firing, glazing and installation (or shipping) will happen after the end of the course, once the clay is dry.

Schedule of the week＋

Classes will be held from Monday through to Friday. On Sunday, there will be a welcome dinner and on Saturday, we will bid you farewell. Classes will be 4h each morning (9am–1pm) and 2/3h each afternoon (2–5pm), except one afternoon of cultural activities.

Order of the day:

Yoga (4 classes x week)
Breakfast
First class 9am–10.30am
Break
Second class 11am–1pm
Lunch
Third class 2pm–5pm
Finish

Exact hours may vary depending on ad-hoc adjustments, but you will have a minimum of 6h a day in the studio, for a total of 26h of teaching and 9h of supervised free studio time every week.

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.

What you'll take home＋

The course is focussed on learning and methodology rather than the production of pieces. Nevertheless, by the end of the course:

The students will have designed a modular clay furniture piece which will be installed in Salemi, bearing each students’ signature and authorship
Students will also be able to take home one modular piece each (fired and shipped after their departure).
each student will also design and produce their own smaller furniture object (ready to be taken home!) applying the same construction principles

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.