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This course is a great opportunity to actively participate in woodfiring, practising how to load and operate a wood firing kiln as well as learning about ash glazes.
During the course we will make glazes with local ashes and clays, exploring east asian ash glazes as well as more experimental recipes rooted in local materials. You will get a basic understanding of glaze chemistry and ash glazes theory and practice.
We will also do 2 firings in our own wood firing kiln: one to test our glazes, and one to explore desired results. The kiln is a 260L fast firing phoenix kiln, which can easily reach 1300 degrees in 6h, but can be fired slower depending on desired results.
Students can bring a few bisqued pieces with them, otherwise the studio will provide 14 small (12x12 cm) and 2 large (25cm height) bisqued pieces to each student, which they will be able to glaze and fire in the kiln.
Please note that this course offers an extended schedule of 6 days of activities, in contrast to our usual 5-day format.
You will walk away from the course with:
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Mati Cini is Salemi Ceramic’s lead ceramicist. She lives between Barcelona and Salemi and has been a ceramicist and ceramics teacher for the past 10 years. A disciple of Jaime Romero, she has built several kilns in Spain before coming to Salemi, and has extensively researched natural glazes and ash glazes.
Previous ceramics experience is preferred.
This course is right for you if:
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:
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 Sunday morning.
**For pick-ups and drop-offs outside of these times and locations, please contact us for a transfer quote.
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 0900 through to approximately 1700 on Friday afternoon. Studio time is a combination of teaching and non-teaching time. A typical day looks 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, 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
Alongside this daily rhythm, you’ll also follow the specific firing program:
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.
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We want to make Salemi a recognised centre for contemporary ceramic art. Come and be part of it!
