Your Teacher

Anas Rifi-Zinati is a ceramic designer based in Barcelona. After studying interior and industrial design at Escola Massana, he opened his own studio, Espai Alfar, where he produces his own work as well as developing project for other designers. He is also a regular teacher at renowned Barcelona school El Torn.

‍

Anas’s work profile ranges from conceptual through to product design and his specialty is in large format throwing and slip mould production. Anas draws inspiration from his great grandmother who was a potter from the arid Mountains in Northern Africa. His work follow a philosophy based on responsible production, an enriching process and collaborations with other designers and artists.

‍

Who is the course right for?

• You can confidently centre and throw pieces above 3kg
• You are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist with consistent wheel-throwing experience and you want learn to throw much muuuch larger pieces 
• You can already throw large pieces but you want to throw even bigger and more complex shapes
• You can already throw large complex shapes above 3kg but would like a chance to perfect your skills 
• You already have consistent experience throwing large pieces 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.

‍‍

Outcome

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 two medium dry bowls, or one large vase thrown with 3-4 kg of wet clay)
• 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)

‍

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

‍

What's Included

• Ceramics classes and mentorship by established ceramicist Anas Rifi-Zinati
• 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 and 2 x meditation classes
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages from Sunday dinner through to Saturday breakfast
• Glazing and firing a max of 6kg of pieces (this will be done after the course has finished)

‍

What's Not Included

• Accommodation
• Shipping of pieces that will be fired by the studio
• Additional cost for firing/glazing more than 6kg of pieces (it’s 20€/kg for each extra kg of clay)
• Alcoholic beverages

‍

Arrival/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 1100 or Palermo airport at 1200. On Sunday afternoon (circa 1630, 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 0700 on Saturday morning.

**For pick-ups and drop-offs outside of these times and locations, please contact us for a transfer quote.

A Typical Day

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 0900 through to approximately 1700 Friday afternoon. Studio time is a combination of teaching and non-teaching time. You can expect a typical day to look like this:

‍

0800 - Yoga in the courtyard (optional)

0900 - 1300 Studio (teaching with a coffee/tea break at 1030 in the courtyard)

1300 - Shared lunch in the courtyard 

1400 - 1630 - Free Studio Time - Afternoon studio hours are primarily self-directed practice time, with your teacher available in the studio for guidance

1900 - 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.

‍

‍

(📷 by Sabela Andrés @sabelaandres)