Special14-dayWheel Throwing

Two-week Porcelain course with Massimo Pavan

Two weeks on the wheel with Massimo Pavan: throwing porcelain, mixing pigments into the clay, advanced trimming, and polished unglazed finishes.

from €2,350See 2 available dates

Two-week Porcelain course with Massimo Pavan

Is this course right for you?

This course is right for you if you:

You are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist with wheel-throwing experience and you want learn to, or enhance, throwing with porcelain
You have experience with stoneware and you want to learn how to work with porcelain as well
You have experience with porcelain but want to learn a different method of working with it

Dates & availability

20 Sep – 3 Oct 2026

with Massimo Pavan · Studio 1 · €2,350

3 spots left

View availability

21 Nov – 4 Dec 2027

with Massimo Pavan · Studio 3 · €2,550

Available

View availability

About this course

This course is directed at ceramics students and practising ceramicists with wheel-throwing experience who wish to learn to, or enhance, throwing with porcelain.

You will learn to work on the wheel with better confidence, mix pigments directly into the porcelain, and refine your forms through advanced trimming. You will explore sanding (and polishing) as an alternative to glazing, to highlight porcelain’s natural qualities and achieve a smooth, functional surface.

Your teacher, Massimo Pavan, will guide you to develop precision and sensitivity in your making, expand your ceramics vocabulary, and bring a new level of refinement and expression to your work.

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 covered the whole process and will be able to bring home your own finished pieces.

Outcome

You will learn to, or enhance, throwing with porcelain
You will learn how to mix pigments with the clay
You will learn the full potential of trimming porcelain
You will learn sanding and polishing, as an alternative to glazing

Your Teacher

Massimo Pavan is a self-taught ceramist based in Rotterdam.

In 2020, he opened his own studio, where he began developing a personal approach to working with clay, from stoneware to porcelain, and sharing his knowledge with others.

In his teaching, Massimo helps students notice subtle variations and develop a sensitive touch, encouraging a deeper appreciation of simplicity and structure, while embracing the challenges posed by the unique qualities of clay.

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＋

The course includes 1 firing of up to 6 kg of dry clay
There is an extra charge of 25€/kg of clay for firing more than 6kg of clay
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.