Upcoming courses - 21st April

Intermediate Program

Wheel Throwing

This course is right for you if you are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist who wishes to improve your wheel-throwing skills - if you have wheel-throwing foundations but wish to upgrade your skills - or if you have intermediate experience on the wheel and you simply want a chance to spend a whole week practicing without worrying about anything else.

You will learn to make identical bowls and glasses, explore bigger shapes of your choice and decorate your pieces with a variety of slip clay techniques such as marbling, inlay and sgraffiato. 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 retreat 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 retreat has concluded.

We also offer advanced wheel throwing programs. Click here to see the full schedule.

Meeting 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 arts and village culture.

You will:

Eat breakfast like the locals do in our favourite local bars
Go on a short excursion to visit Cretto di Burri, one of the world’s largest public art installations - with a very unusual story
Make pasta with a local home cook
Enjoy dinner in a variety of authentic, local Sicilian restaurants

The Project

The Salemi School of Ceramics is a social enterprise that has been opened to create a learning centre for contemporary ceramics, the first of its kind in Sicily.

The School has been created in partnership with the local town of Salemi, which has provided the gorgeous space - the St Agustin Monastery - that will be used for the school.

Salemi has a beautiful historical centre and because it is quiet and peaceful, is the perfect place for a mindful ceramics retreat.

What's Included

Ceramics classes and mentorship
All materials
Palermo Airport pick up (12-noon Sunday) or Palermo City Pick Up (11am Sunday). There is an additional charge for any pick ups at other times.
Return Palermo Airport transfer and Palermo City drop off on Saturday, departing Salemi at 7am.
2 x Yoga classes
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages from Sunday dinner through to Saturday breakfast
Glazing and firing a max of 3kg of pieces (this will be done after the retreat has finished)

What's Not Included

Accommodation
Shipping of pieces that will be fired by the studio
Additional cost for firing/glazing more than 3kg of pieces
Alcoholic beverages

A Typical Day

Classes will be held from Monday through to Friday. On Sunday, there will be a welcome dinner and on Saturday, we will bid you farewell.

We will focus on classes in the morning and on getting to know Sicily in the afternoon. Please note that the below is the base schedule and that the schedule will be altered on some days in order to have a good balance of training and cultural experiences; and also to factor in the nature of working with ceramics.

Being our Intermediate program, the course will have a stronger focus on the ceramics learning component and/or free time to continue practising the skills you have been learning.

Order of the day:

Yoga (2 classes x week)
Breakfast
First Class
Break
Second Class
Lunch
Cultural Experience or Ceramics Class (day dependent)
Finish

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EUR €1099

Intermediate Program
Wheel Throwing

12th May - 18th May 2024 - SOLD OUT

2nd June - 8th June 2024 - 1 spot left!

16th June - 22nd June 2024

7th July - 13th July 2024

4th Aug - 10th Aug 2024

18th Aug - 24th Aug 2024

8th Sept - 14th Sept 2024

6th Oct - 12th Oct 2024

10th Nov - 16th Nov 2024

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Frequently asked questions

If you don't see your question below email us at contact@salemiceramics.com

Is Retreat You good for me?

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I have no yoga experience, can I join?

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What is the price of the retreat?

What is the Ceramic Workshop Retreat in Salemi?

The ceramics workshop retreats in Salemi, Sicily are designed for all ceramics abilities, from beginners, to intermediates, to those looking for expert-led experiences. Participants will have practical hands on learning and refining their skills, taught by an experienced and passionate resident ceramicist. Learn about ceramics, and when not in the studio, you will enjoy local Sicilian experiences, while sharing meals with others. Our retreats offers a unique opportunity to learn and create in a beautiful setting.

It is important to know that your pieces will not be ready to take home with you at the end of the retreat, as pieces take approximately a week to completely dry, all firing and glazing will be done after the retreat has finished. Before you leave you will be able to decide which pieces you would like to keep and have shipped to you once you are home (shipping at your cost).

Where Should I Stay?

There are multiple options near our workshop in Salemi.

Salemi Ceramics is located in the old town of Salemi, Sicily.It is based in the (former) Chiostro de Sant Agositono in Salemi; which is not labelled or marked on Google Maps.

Here is a link to Google Maps that shows precisely where the Convent is. We strongly suggest staying in the Old Town of Salemi so that you can walk to the studio in the mornings and walk back to your accommodation after dinner at night. There are lots of options on Booking.com and Airbnb - read our location guide here - but if you are not sure about a specific location, please just send us an email and we will help you out.

Who can join the retreat?

Anyone with an interest in ceramics, from beginners to experienced artists, is welcome to join. It's a great place to learn new skills or improve what you already know.

What does the retreat include?

The retreat includes a pick up from either Palermo Central at 11am or Palermo Airport 12pm on the SUNDAY, and a 7am departure from Salemi to Palermo Airport on the SATURDAY. Pick ups and drop offs outside these options will need to be arranged by you, we can help with passing on public transport timetables. Also included are all ceramic classes from Monday to Friday, meals from Sunday night dinner to Saturday breakfast, and local experiences in Salemi. You'll get to enjoy Sicilian culture, food, and the beauty of the area while learning about ceramics.

Is accommodation included in the retreat?

Accommodation is not included. Participants need to arrange their own stay in Salemi. We can provide suggestions for nearby places to stay, but recommend staying in the Old Town of Salemi for ease of walking to the studio each day and walking back to your accommodation at night after dinner.

What language will the programs be taught in?

The programs will all be taught in English, but feel free to practice your Italian out and about with our local shopkeepers and local friends.

Is there a minimum number of bookings?

No, as soon as there's on booking the course is confirmed.

How long is the retreat?

The retreat duration varies, so please check our schedule for specific dates. Typically, retreats run from Sunday to Saturday, with ceramics classes running from Monday to Friday, giving you plenty of time to learn and explore.

What should I bring to the retreat?

You should bring comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for working with ceramics, any personal art supplies you prefer, and items for your daily needs. Don't forget to pack for the weather in Sicily during your stay!

Are meals provided during the retreat?

Yes, most meals are included. You'll get to taste local Sicilian cuisine as part of the retreat experience. We can cater to different dietary needs, so let us know in advance if you have any specific requirements.

What kind of local experiences will be part of the retreat?

Local experiences include meeting local business owners, exploring Salemi's culture, history, and natural beauty. We will organise short trips to local landmarks, cultural activities, and opportunities to enjoy the local cuisine and lifestyle.