Intermediate Wheel Throwing course
A one-week wheel throwing full-immersion for intermediate potters: throw taller, thinner pieces, identical objects, larger bowls, bottlenecks and vases.
Is this course right for you?
This course is right for you if:
- You can already independently and autonomously centre +1.5kg of clay
- You already have a hand at doing bowls and have tried larger objects, but could use some help throwing above 2kg
- You are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist with wheel-throwing foundations and wish to perfect your skills
- You want to practise throwing taller, thinner, more regular pieces
- You want to practise throwing larger pieces and centering larger amounts of clay
- You want to learn to throw more complex shapes: vases, bottles and necks, lidder containers, teapots, etc.
- You already have intermediate experience on the wheel and you simply want a chance to spend a whole week practising without worrying about anything else
If you’re unsure, feel free to take our self-assessment. It will give you a result based on your experience and skills, and show you which course is the best fit for you.
Dates & availability
26 Jul – 1 Aug 2026
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 3 · €1,350
2–8 Aug 2026
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,350
16–22 Aug 2026
with Lisa Kosak · Studio 2 · €1,350
23–29 Aug 2026
with Anna Basile · Studio 3 · €1,350
30 Aug – 5 Sep 2026
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,350
6–12 Sep 2026
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 1 · €1,350
13–19 Sep 2026
with Luigi Pullini · Studio 3 · €1,350
27 Sep – 3 Oct 2026
with Luigi Pullini · Studio 3 · €1,350
4–10 Oct 2026
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 1 · €1,350
18–24 Oct 2026
with Esther Palmer · Studio 1 · €1,350
1–7 Nov 2026
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 2 · €1,350
8–14 Nov 2026
with Esther Palmer · Studio 1 · €1,350
29 Nov – 5 Dec 2026
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 2 · €1,350
21–27 Feb 2027
with Anna Basile · Studio 3 · €1,450
28 Feb – 6 Mar 2027
· Studio 2 · €1,450
21–27 Mar 2027
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,450
18–24 Apr 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
25 Apr – 1 May 2027
with Lisa Kosak · Studio 2 · €1,450
2–8 May 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
23–29 May 2027
with Anas Rifi-Zinati · Studio 1 · €1,450
6–12 Jun 2027
with Esther Palmer · Studio 2 · €1,450
27 Jun – 3 Jul 2027
with Adele Williams · Studio 1 · €1,450
4–10 Jul 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
11–17 Jul 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
18–24 Jul 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
25–31 Jul 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
1–7 Aug 2027
with Lucia Ocejo · Studio 3 · €1,450
15–21 Aug 2027
with Míriam Seguí Carbonell · Studio 2 · €1,450
29 Aug – 4 Sep 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
12–18 Sep 2027
with Luca della Maddalena · Studio 1 · €1,450
3–9 Oct 2027
with Anas Rifi-Zinati · Studio 3 · €1,450
17–23 Oct 2027
with Anas Rifi-Zinati · Studio 3 · €1,450
24–30 Oct 2027
with Chiara Zoppei · Studio 1 · €1,450
31 Oct – 6 Nov 2027
with Adele Williams · Studio 2 · €1,450
7–13 Nov 2027
with Massimo Pavan · Studio 3 · €1,450
28 Nov – 4 Dec 2027
with Adele Williams · Studio 2 · €1,450
About this course
Does one week in this stunning setting leave you wanting more? Looking for extra time to perfect your wheel-throwing skills?
Explore our 2-week Intermediate Wheel Throwing course! It’s designed for those eager to enhance their technique and fully immerse themselves in the world of ceramics.
This course is a one-week wheel throwing full-immersion, during which you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the practice of ceramics while also enjoying the tranquil pleasures of Sicilian life.
In this course you will have a chance to perfect your throwing skills: we will practise throwing taller pieces, thinner and more even walls, as well as pushing each student to throw shapes that are new for them. We will learn to make identical objects from the hump as well as individually, to throw larger and larger bowls, as well as exploring bottlenecks and vases. You will have a unique chance to fully immerse yourself in the practice of wheel throwing, making progress that would be hard to achieve within the noise of everyday life.
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 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 2 large bowls, or 3 medium bottles).
- 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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Intermediate Wheel Throwing Two-week course
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Beginner Wheel Throwing course
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14–20 Feb 2027 · 7-day
from €1,350
Next date: 21 February 2027