This course is right for you if you are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist with consistent wheel-throwing experience and you want learn to throw much muuuch larger pieces / if you can already throw large pieces but you want to throw even bigger and more complex shapes / if you already have consistent experience throwing large pieces on the wheel and you simply want a chance to spend a whole week practicing without worrying about anything else.
You will learn to throw more clay (+2kg) and make much bigger pieces (taller than 30cm). You will learn different tricks and techniques for throwing large objects, from centering huge amounts of clay to making pieces from different parts. You will be able to push your limits with the guidance of an experienced teacher who will help you perfect your skills. 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.
A renowned ceramic designer based in Barcelona, we welcome Anas Rifi as our resident ceramicist from the end of March to the end of May 2025 for Beginners, Intermediate Wheel Throwing and Advanced Masterclasses.
Anas's work profile ranges from the 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 Rif Mountains in Northern Africa. His responsible production approach to his craft along with collaborations with other designers and artists around the world make Anas a much loved friend of Salemi Ceramics and we can't wait to welcome him back in Studio!
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 Chiostro Di Sant’Agostino - 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.
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.
Order of the day:
(📷 by Sabela Andrés @sabelaandres)
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The Salemi Project wants to make Salemi a recognised centre for contemporary ceramic art. Come and be part of it!
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