Upcoming Courses

Beginners Program

Wheel Throwing

Welcome to the Salemi School of Ceramics! We invite you to join us at our brand new Ceramics School in tranquil Western Sicily. In this peaceful ceramics retreat, you will be exposed to the basics of ceramics in a welcoming and friendly environment. With a maximum of eight learners in each course, you will be guided by our experienced teachers - lovers of ceramics who are deeply skilled in the art of not just ceramics, but also working with beginners.

This course is right for you if you love ceramics but you've never really tried before, or if you've tried other techniques but have never dared trying wheel-throwing. Maybe you've tried the wheel before but you've never given yourself a chance to really practice and learn, and you simply want a chance to spend a whole week practicing on the wheel without worrying about anything else.

You will learn to centre the clay, to make bowls and cups, to trim your pieces, and to decorate them with coloured slip clay. You will have a unique chance to fully immerse yourself in the practice of wheel throwing, making progress that would take you months of 3h-a-week practice. You'll walk away with a solid foundation in wheel throwing which will allow you to start throwing your own pieces from scratch once back home.

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 intermediate and advanced wheel throwing programs. Click here to see the full schedule.

Meeting Sicily

During this week, you won’t just get an introduction to ceramics. 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

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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 gorgeous historical centre and because it is quiet and peaceful, it 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. Please contact us for a quote. We can also assist in passing on local transport options. ‍
2 x Yoga classes (2x week)
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages from Sunday dinner through to Saturday breakfast
Glazing and firing a max of 3kg of pieces (will be done after the retreat has finished)

What's Not Included

Airport pick ups and drop offs outside of prescribed times or from Trapani airport.
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 a sample 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.

Order of the day:

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

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EUR €1099

Beginners Program
Wheel Throwing

19th May - 25th May 2024

9th June - 15th June 2024

30th June - 6th July 2024

14th July - 20th July 2024

25th Aug - 31st Aug 2024

1st Sept - 7th Sept 2024

29th Sept - 5th Oct 2024

3rd Nov - 9th Nov 2024

Check Availability

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 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.