43-2019 – ON CENTRE – FORM AND DECORATION

Application for the 2019 edition are open from December 1st 2018 to March 1st 2019.
Form and Decoration is a course dedicated to throwing and firing functional ceramics, with a strong focus on decoration techniques. Continuous practice coupled with one-on-one attention from the instructors enables the ability to translate ideas into three dimensional objects. Exercises will aim to enhance skill and awareness, allowing participants to improve their pots in form and finish.

Students have a generous working space at their disposal. They will stay and study in the supportive environment of La Meridiana, with logistics like lodging, transportation and lunch taken care of.

Two foremost ceramicists of varied experience will tutor the selected group of eight students.

Application to the course opens on January 15th and is by written proposal. Applications will be reviewed and processed on first come first served basis.

John Colbeck has taught full and part time ceramics degree courses in the UK throughout his working life and was for many years the Head of Ceramics at Bath Academy of Art. In addition, he has taught many short courses and given lectures and seminars in the UK and abroad. He has written extensively on the subject of pottery and is the author of Pottery, the Technique of Throwing (1969), Pottery, Techniques of Decoration (1983) and Pottery Materials (1988). The first two titles are available as classic reprints from Axner Supplies USA. In his personal body of work, John focusses on unglazed thrown forms in polished stoneware and porcelain. John Colbeck has taught full and part time at Ceramics degree courses in the UK throughout his working life and was for many years Head of Ceramics at Bath Academy of Art and, in addition, has taught many short courses and given lectures and seminars in the UK and abroad.
He is author of “Pottery, the Technique of Throwing” (1969), “Pottery, Techniques of Decoration” (1983) (both of these still available as Classic reprints from Axner Supplies USA) and “Pottery Materials” (1988).
He produces unglazed, polished thrown forms in stoneware and porcelain.

Franco Rampi was born in Domodossola. He started working as a potter in 1981. After an apprenticeship in England and a cycle of studies in Italy he opened his own studio in Tuscany.
He produces both functional objects in small series and one off pieces. He works mainly in stoneware, whilst continuing his research on clays, slips and forms.
For ten years he has been teaching and collaborating with La Meridiana, and assisting John Colbeck in throwing and long term courses.www.francorampi.it