On Centre 2023 – Final show
Introduction by Claudia Bruhin, Director of La Meridiana
The celebration of the positive ending of On Centre takes place in the setting of a wonderful medieval building in Certaldo Alto: Il Castello. In a different environment than that o
f the studio, the pots reflect the journey undertaken more clearly and the intentions of each student become more visible. Stories have been told, obstacles have been overcome, strength and resilience have been used, joy has been sparked. The show is the moment to savour the achievements, to share the satisfaction and to celebrate friendship and community. The work seen here represents a selection of what the participants produced during the three month of the course.
A big thank you to a group where each student contributed to the lively atmosphere with commitment, dreams and visions. An equally big thank you to Pietro Elia Maddalena who has created this meeting ground and who has put his vast knowledge at the service of future makers. And to Meike Schröppe, who has assisted everyone with passion and patience.
My best wishes go to the participants, hoping that they will continue to find much satisfaction in their ceramic making.

Miranda Berrow. UK
Lidded Jar
Stoneware

Miranda Berrow. UK
Jar
Stoneware
Oxidation glazes

Miranda Berrow. UK
Vase
Stoneware
Reduction glazed

Brigitte Gfeller. Switzerland/USA
Long neck vases
Stoneware
White salt glaze and oxides. Oxidation fired

Brigitte Gfeller. Switzerland/USA
Volcanic vase
Stoneware and unglazed texturized surface. Glazed insiede, woodfired

Brigitte Gfeller. Switzerland/USA
Vase with handles
Stoneware
Reduction fired

Beatrix Hitz. Switzerland
Sculptures made from a thrown cylinder
Decorated with paper slip, porcelain slip, oxide
Reduction fired

Beatrix Hitz. Switzerland
Thrown and altered vases
Stoneware,
Slip decoration & baratti sand. Glaze: Shiny rock

Beatrix Hitz. Switzerland
Set of thrwon and altered vases.
Stoneware.Slip decoration, glazes, baratti sand, shiny rock
Reduction fired

Annebeth Loher. Switzerland

Annebeth Loher. Switzerland
Four vessels
Decorated with textured and layered slips. Fired in oxidation

Annebeth Loher. Switzerland
Two vases
Stoneware, Slip decoration

Jane Raven. UK
Lidded Jars ispired by ancient funerary urns
Stoneware. Reduction fired

Jane Raven.UK
Set of bowls
Stoneware. Oxidation glazes

Jane Raven. UK
Lidded Jar
Dry blue and copper glaze

Lynn Williams. USA
Facetted vase
Stoneware. Woodfiried

Lynn Williams. USA
Teapot
Porcelain, glazed with double dipping, woodfired.

Lynn Williams. USA
Beaker
Woodfired Porcelain

Friederike Lauterbach. Germany
Teapot and Vases
with red copper glaze
Friederike Lauterbach. Germany
Friederike Lauterbach. Germany

"J" Stoddard. USA
Thrown Vases
Stoneware
"J" Stoddard. USA
"J" Stoddard. USA

Meike Schröppe. Germany
Vases with oak bark decoration
Tenmoku and gold wash on the outside, iron oxide inside. Woodfired

Meike Schröppe. Germany
African vases
Woodfired

Meike Schröppe. Germany
Vase
Decorated with trimming left overs. Woodfired
Some comments:
I learned so much and made such good friends! Can’t ask for much more.
Thank you for making this steep learning adventure an absolute joy. Good growth in all ways, knowledge, friendship, techniques and waist bands!
Gratitude and unforgettably beautyful memories!
Experience was much better than expected. I thought the field trips were invaluable.
It was an amazing experience. The overall organization of La Meridiana was very impressive to me. From the hospitality to the cleanliness and physical organization to the planned out program, it felt great.