From Throwing to Glazing: Discover Pottery with Marta Vino

This one-month course offers a comprehensive introduction to the processes and techniques involved in studio pottery. It is intended for students who wish to understand and manage all stages of ceramic production, from shaping to glazing and firing.

Under the instruction of Marta, participants will gain practical experience with both fundamental and advanced wheel-throwing methods, surface treatments, and glaze applications.

• Week 1 - Throwing Basics: Introduction to the potter’s wheel. Students will learn how to prepare and center clay, and how to form simple vessels like cylinders, bowls and bottles.
• Week 2 - Refining Throwing Techniques: Development of precision and control at the wheel. Topics include throwing off the hump, forming handles, lids and spouts, and assembling multiple components into composite pieces (such as jugs and teapots)
• Week 3 - Surface and Glaze Work: Exploration of decorative and surface techniques. Students will work with slips, oxides, and glazes, studying their chemical behavior during firing. Instruction covers glaze application methods and the creation of patterns and drawings on ceramic surfaces.
• Week 4 - Independent Project: Application of acquired skills toward individual projects. Participants may refine existing work or create new pieces designed for single firing.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a practical understanding of the complete ceramic workflow, including forming, decorating, and firing processes, as well as an appreciation of the technical and material considerations involved in pottery making.

Your Teacher

Marta Vino was born and grew up in Apulia, in Southern Italy. After a long period of anthropological study between Rome and Lisbon, she discovered clay and dedicated herself to ceramic. When back to Italy in 2017, Marta has been working as an apprentice and assistant in a pottery studio for a few years and attended dozens of workshops about ceramic techniques, from porcelain nerikomi to etruscan bucchero. Four years ago, she started experimenting with wood-firing and atmosphere glazing, taking part in several firings around Europe. Marta’s academic background stands through her interest in history, popular pottery and local ceramic materials. She’s currently based in Turin where she set her own studio in 2020: here she produces her ceramic work and teaches wheel throwing and chemistry of ceramic materials courses.

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.