01-2024 – On Centre

January 7 – March 30 2024

Throwing, glazing and firing with a focus on functional ware

Application  by written proposal

 

 

On Centre corso intensivo. intensive course on Throwing

Introduction

On Centre is a twelve week in depth experience on throwing, glazing, clay bodies and firing techniques for functional ceramics. It is aimed at committed people who wish to develop in-depth skills through focused training and qualified instruction.

Aims

The primary aim of the On Centre intensive course is to help participants achieve confidence and fluency, which comes from the ability to efficiently throw items in quantity. Secondly, participants will explore the possibilities of high fire materials, so that they can select, adapt and use them with competence.  Through continuous training, work in a small group of eight participants and one-on-one attention from the instructors, students will achieve consistent progress at an individual pace. Furthermore, the exchange  of information and the discussion within the group will contribute to the active learning environment.

The programme

The course will cover the throwing and trimming of both repeated and unique wheel made objects, the compounding and alteration of high temperature clay bodies, slips and glazes and the firing of gas and wood kilns. Oxidised and reduced firings will both be undertaken.

The second part of the course will give time for more personal growth. In developing skill participants will glaze and fire a considerable body of work so that fluency of making is matched by knowledge and fluency in finishing work. With dedication, relative beginners are just as likely to benefit fully from the course as those with more experience. Work of previous participants may be seen here.

Logistics

Students will stay and study in the supportive environment of La Meridiana, with logistics like lodging, transportation and lunch taken care of. They will have a generous working space at their disposal. On every working day, a delicious lunch will be served. A  foremost ceramicists of wide experience will tutor the selected group of eight students.

Application

Application is ongoing. Interested students should write to La Meridiana for information about the cost.

The artists and instructors

There will be a main istructor, supported by an additional instructor for some specific aspects like glazing.

Sandy Lockwood has been making pots and teaching for over 40 years. She holds a graduate Diploma of Visual Arts, Master of Visual arts and a PhD. In 1980 she established her Studio in the Southern Highlands. Her work is widely and internationally recognised. Her teaching experience ranges from teaching beginners to teaching postgraduate level, in most areas of ceramics practice. Sandy provides technical instruction, creative encouragement and personal support to develop both work and creative ideas. Students have reported that they enjoy the good humoured and mutually supportive atmosphere in her classes. www.sandylockwood.com.au

After her studies in Art History in Paris and Florence, Eve Carrobourg pursued in the field of ceramics. She was trained at La Meridiana under the guidance of its founder Pietro Maddalena and John Colbeck. She extended her collaboration by staying as workshop-technician for the School where she discovered a true passion for glazes.
After having completed a specialization on high-fire glazes in France, she worked as a full-time teacher on glaze-technology at the CNIFOP Ceramic Centre in France.
She was prized by the “Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation” to fulfill a research on glazes. She is currently completing her research in order to publish a book on high-fire glazes.

Date:

Sunday January 7 (arrival) – Sabato March 30 (departure) 2024

Length of course

3 month

Technique

Material tecnology, Throwing, Wood and/or soda firing

Level

Some experience required

Total cost:

Please contact info@lameridiana.fi.it for information.

Application

Application procedure for ON CENTRE

Prerequisites

On Centre is  an in depth, twelve weeks experience on throwing, glazing, clay bodies and firing techniques for functional ceramics.  To get the most out of this course  demands a high level of commitment and sustained work. The only prerequisite is that you have sufficient experience of throwing (which may only be slight) to be certain you wish to undertake the programme. To get an understanding of the results to expect, you may visit the virtual show of a former edition.

The programme can accomodate a maximum of 9 students. In order to attend, application is required.

Application Procedure

Please send the following to claudia@lameridiana.fi.it

– CV, including a photo of yourself
– A brief letter stating your reasons for wanting to do the course.
– Six to ten images of your work.

Please do send these documents in PDF  format.

Any interested people may wish to telephone to discuss their interest +39 3772709500 or  email: claudia@lameridiana.fi.it 

Deadline

Application is ongoing .

 

Info

The workshop fee includes the following:

Tuition of 6 – 8 hours per day
Studio open 11 hours per day
All materials and firings
Lodging in single room with shared bathroom
Shared kitchen space
Freshly prepared three course lunch with wine on all working days
Coffee break in the mornings and in the evenings
Field trip to Faenza
Woodfiring

Payment and Refund Policy

A deposit is required at registration. After submitting the registration form, you may proceed with the payment on-line. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, the registration will be confirmed once the deposit has been accredited in our banking account. The balance must be paid at the beginning of the course.

 Cancellations
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration without incurring in any penalties and will have the deposit fully refunded.  No refund of deposits past 14 days of registration, pursuant to articles 53 and following of the Italian consumer legislation, in accordance with the EU consumer protection legislation. In the event of disputes, the competent court is Florence. If the workshop cannot be hold because of an insufficient number of students, the deposit will be fully reimbursed.
Force Majeure
Students must know that cancellations may occur due to events beyond our control (e.g. pandemic, civil disorder, medical or family issues of the instructor). In such case, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for one year. The deposit will be transferred to the workshop of choice.

Safety

La Meridiana is equipped to comply with the current safety standards regarding Covid-19, including social distancing between people in and outside the studio. The building is sanitized and the daily maintenance of hygiene measures is guaranteed. To acess the courses, students need to be vaccinated against Covid- 19. Please note that participants will be required to follow the security protocol and to comply with some simple precautions.