Special14-dayFiring

Two-week Woodfiring and Ash Glazes with Mati Cini

Two weeks with Mati Cini making work for the wood kiln — ash glazes, kiln loading and a full woodfiring from first flame to unpacking.

from €2,550See 2 available dates

Two-week Woodfiring and Ash Glazes with Mati Cini

Is this course right for you?

Previous ceramics experience is preferred.

This course is right for you if:

You are interested in ash glazes and high firing glazes
You’re interested in learning more about wood firing kilns
You’ve always wanted to participate in a wood firing
You’re a bit of a ceramics geek
You don’t mind chopping wood, getting covered in soot, and staying up until late to fire the kiln - in fact, you like it

Dates & availability

20 Sep – 3 Oct 2026

with Mati Cini · Studio 2 · €2,350

Available

View availability

5–18 Sep 2027

with Mati Cini · Studio 3 · €2,550

Available

View availability

About this course

This course offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in woodfiring, learning how to load and control a wood-fired kiln as well as exploring the theory and practice of ash glazes.

After successfully running three one-week woodfiring courses, we’re now expanding the experience into a two-week program. This extended format allows students to explore woodfiring in greater depth, with extended time for both theory and practice..

Throughout the course, we will create glazes using local ashes and clays, drawing inspiration from traditional East Asian ash glazes as well as experimenting with innovative recipes based on local materials. Students will gain a solid foundation in glaze chemistry and the theory and practice of ash glazes.

We will carry out two firings in our 260L fast-firing Phoenix kiln, one for testing glazes and one for achieving final results. The kiln can easily reach 1300°C in six hours, though it can also be fired more slowly depending on the desired outcome.

Participants are welcome to bring a few bisque-fired pieces of their own. Alternatively, the studio will provide each student with 14 small (12 × 12 cm) and 2 large (25 cm high) bisqued pieces to glaze and fire during the course.

Over the weekend, students can take part in optional extra activities, such as cultural excursions or beach trips, depending on the weather.

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

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.

Alongside this daily rhythm, you’ll also follow the specific firing program (this may vary depending on factors such as good weather for firing):

Sun - arrival and welcome
Mon - presentation, glaze theory, excursion to collect local materials
Tues - glaze practice: preparing materials, choosing recipes
Wed - morning: glazing, afternoon: loading the kiln
Thur - firing the kiln
Fri - opening the kiln, commenting on results
Sat -free - optional weekend activities
Sun - free - optional weekend activities
Mon - more glaze theory and kiln theory
Tues - choosing new glazes, preparing materials, and glazes
Wed - morning: glazing, afternoon: loading the kiln
Thur - firing
Fri - opening the kiln, commenting on results, choosing pieces
Saturday - Goodbyes

Please note: The exact schedule may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions for firing. Our program is carefully designed to balance teaching, practice, meals, and cultural experiences, and we do our best to follow the planned timetable. 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＋

You will walk away from the course with:

Solid understanding of glaze making principles and ash glaze theory, and practice
Understanding how to operate a wood fire kiln: how to load the pieces in the kiln, how to control the firing curve, how to create effects through oxidation, soda, etc.
Up to 3kg of pieces (either your own or 14 small pieces + 2 large pieces provided by the studio), glazed with ash glazes and fired in the newly built kiln
A selection of glaze tests fired in the kiln

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.