Special14-dayWheel Throwing

Two-week Wheel Throwing and Sigillata with Anas Rifi-Zinati

Two weeks with Anas Rifi-Zinati — strengthen your wheel throwing and finish your pieces with burnished terra sigillata.

Is this course right for you?

This course focuses on decorative surface techniques and is ideal if you already have some ceramics experience and are comfortable working at an intermediate to advanced level.

You'll particularly enjoy this course if:

You're drawn to soft, smoky surfaces and the elemental magic of fire and clay.
You already have experience making ceramic forms and/or decorating ceramics.
You're curious about alternative decoration techniques.
You're excited to experiment with different firing methods.
You're not afraid to get your hands dirty... and maybe even end up with a bit of coal on your face!

Dates & availability

9–22 May 2027

with Anas Rifi-Zinati · Studio 1 · €2,550

Available

View availability

About this course

This course is designed for ceramicists and artists with solid ceramics experience and an intermediate wheel throwing level.

During the first week, you'll focus on throwing and making your pieces. You'll then decorate them using terra sigillata, burnish them, bisque fire them, and finally fire them in a raku kiln using a variety of techniques.

This course is ideal if you're eager to explore terra sigillata, alternative firing methods, and decorative surface techniques.

During the course, you'll learn to:

Make your own terra sigillata slip from scratch.
Understand and control the burnishing and application process to achieve smooth, satin-like finishes.
Master a variety of decoration techniques using sigillata, pigments, minerals, and found materials to create unique, unpredictable surface effects.
Use a simple DIY gas kiln suitable for smoke effects, naked raku, and related firing methods.
Experiment with different firing strategies to produce subtle colour shifts, carbon markings, reduction effects, and sulphate reactions.

This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the tradition and experimentation of low-fire, smoke-reactive ceramics in a focused, hands-on environment, away from everyday distractions. The immersive setting supports both technical learning and your own creative exploration.

Schedule of the week＋

Classes will be held from Monday through to Friday. Classes will be 4h each morning (9am–1pm) and 2/3h on Monday and Friday afternoon (2–4/5pm). On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you will have free studio time (2/3h) and/or an organised trip to one of the local cultural landmarks.

A typical day will look like this:

Optional yoga/meditation session (2 times a week)
Breakfast
Class 9am–10.45am
Break
Class 11.15am–1pm
Lunch
Class or free studio time 2pm–5pm, or an organised activity
Dinner

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＋

By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of both the theory and practice of terra sigillata and smoke firing.

You'll leave with a collection of beautifully finished pieces showcasing a variety of atmospheric effects, along with the knowledge and confidence to recreate these techniques in your own studio.

You'll also take home three small pots of terra sigillata:

One that you make and decant from scratch during the course.
Two prepared by your teacher and coloured by you during the workshop.

Please note that you can either take your pieces home with you or have them shipped after the course. Shipping costs are charged separately and vary depending on the destination.

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.