A two month long intensive course that aims to build a solid foundation
Some experience required. Application by written proposal
On Centre Fall is a two-month long intensive course on throwing and firing functional ceramics, with attention to glazing, and surface techniques. Besides gaining fluency in making, participants refine their visual awareness and develop a personal body of work.
Who is this course for?
To get the most out of this course, applicants should be able to throw simple items like bowls, cylinders, cups. Committing to a daily throwing practice of two months requires a lot of dedication. Therefore, having attended previous workshops or evening throwing classes is useful to understand if this is for you. The ideal candidate is open to feedback, has a learning mindset and follows the course program to the best of their ability.
Aims
The main aim of the On Centre Fall program is to enable participants achieve confidence and fluency at the wheel. After completing the course, students should be able to throw consistent forms and small series with ease. This intensive ceramic course also gives a theoretical and practical introduction to high-fired ceramic materials (clays, slips, glazes). Moreover, students gain understanding of the day-to-day organization of a ceramic studio – from clay recycling to firing the pieces.
The program
On Centre Fall is divided into two phases.
During the first part, all participants follow the same schedule. The daily demonstrations cover throwing, trimming and glazing a large variety of domestic and decorative items. Students have the chance to fire work both in oxidation and reduction and engage in loading and firing the kilns. Course members also receive theoretical information during technical talks and slideshows. On Centre Fall gives students just as comprehensive training in throwing and glazing skills as On Centre. Due to the shorter time span, however, it does not cover some specific topics such as wood-soda firing or work with porcelain.
During the second part of the ceramic course, participants complete an individual project. This phase enables them to develop their personal voice and to create a body of work using their newly gained skills.
On Centre Fall culminates in an exhibition where each course member can exhibit a selection of pieces. Images of previous student work may be found in our gallery.
Teaching method
Franco Rampi will guide students thorough the making and finishing of thrown shapes. Each morning and afternoon session begins with a demonstration for the whole group following a pre-defined programme. After the daily demonstrations, participants work on their own and receive one-to-one assistance. The instructor provides constant feedback to support development of each student, so everyone can progress on their own speed. Eve Carrobourg covers specific topics of ceramic technology by holding technical talks, leading the glaze programme and providing critique of fired pieces. Giulia Bagni, our studio technician will assist with tasks related to firings and glazes to ensure an organised and enjoyable studio environment.
The course is organized around weekly learning cycles. Each week covers a group of shapes from simple cylinders on the first week, to complex vessels on the last. Bisque and glaze firings are also organized on a weekly basis. Participants can fire a considerable body of work, achieving fluency in both making and finishing objects. Working in a small group and sharing the studio space with other course members gives plenty of opportunities for peer-learning. A supportive atmosphere and exchange of ideas between students and instructors enriches the learning experience.
Logistics
Day of arrival is Sunday October 24, with first class day Monday October 25. Departure day is on Saturday, December 18, 2027.
Students will stay and study in the supportive environment of La Meridiana, with a generous working space at their disposal) equipped with a wheel, tools, worktable and shelving. The group size is of maximum nine students.On every working day, a delicious lunch will be served. At booking, you may select your preferred room type, choosing between Standard lodging at 15 minute-walking distance from the studio, upgraded accommodation on-site or private apartments. We can assist with arranging shipment of the work made and fired during the course through a professional shipping company
Application
Application is ongoing and closes when the course is full. Those interested in participating should follow the application procedure outlined below.
The instructors
Franco Rampi has been working with clay since 1978. After apprenticeships in Italy and England, he returned to Tuscany in 1980 to open his own studio. He first produced functional objects in earthenware with slips and brushed overglaze decoration, before moving to reduction-fired stoneware. While he enjoys throwing traditional functional forms, he also experiments with clays, slips and sculptural objects, incorporating slab-building into his work. Since 2010, Franco has been a valued collaborator and wheel-throwing instructor at La Meridiana. Since 2020 he has also been teaching the in-depth courses “On Centre” and “On the Wheel”. Students find his structured, direct, supportive approach and extensive knowledge invaluable in levelling-up their throwing and glazing skills. Franco recognizes teaching as deeply fulfilling. He enjoys sharing his experience with new generations of potters and passing on the joy of creating on the wheel. www.francorampi.it
Eve Carrobourg has been a close collaborator of La Meridiana since 2016. She began working with ceramics after completing her studies in Art History in Paris and Florence and trained at La Meridiana under the guidance of Pietro Maddalena and John Colbeck. Discovering a deep passion for glazes, she complemented her education with a year-long specialization on high-fire glazes in France. During her studies, she was awarded the prize of the “Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation”.
A passionate and patient educator, Eve has taught glaze technology at the CNIFOP Ceramic Centre in France and currently teaches ceramics in the Fine Arts department of the LdM Institute in Florence. At La Meridiana, she leads glaze workshops and ceramic technology lectures within the intensive courses, where she is known for making complex topics clear, engaging, and accessible, often through humour and vivid metaphors. Aside from her teaching position, her commitment to the school`s vision and growth prompted her join the team also as Program-Coordinator in 2025.
Studio technician Giulia Bagni joined the team of La Meridiana in 2023. She has become an important facilitator of our courses, skilfully assisting the technical needs of our visiting instructors. Giulia is a go-to studio expert working behind the scenes, handling a variety of essential tasks ranging from running glaze-tests in preparation for our courses, ensuring that the classrooms are perfectly prepared to firing the kilns in all temperatures and atmospheres. When she’s not at La Meridiana, Giulia her spends time in her home studio, working on her own collection of wheel-thrown functional pieces.
On Centre Fall is an in-depth, eight-week course on throwing, glazing and firing techniques for functional ceramics. Getting the most out of program demands a high level of commitment and sustained work. Participants should have previous experience with clay and on the wheel and be able to throw simple items. However, motivation, commitment, willingness to learn and openness to receive feedback are more important than throwing skills. The course can accommodate maximum nine students. To attend, application is required.
A brief motivation letter stating your reasons for taking the course in PDF format
Six to ten images of your recent work in JPEG format
For more information or to discuss your interest feel free to reach out by phone (+39 3772709500) or email (info@lameridiana.fi.it)
Deadline
Application opens on January 28, is ongoing and closes when the course is full.
Additional Information
The workshop fee includes the following:
Tuition of 6 – 8 hours per day;
Studio open 11 hours per day;
All materials and firings;
Freshly prepared three course lunch with wine on all working days;
Welcome breakfast, Welcome and Final dinner;
Coffee break in the mornings and in the evenings.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Once you have been selected, you need to formally register by paying a deposit of 4000 € within 15 days of acceptance. The second instalment is due by 15th of August 2027. The final balance is due at arrival. Payments maybe be made online or by bank transfer.
Cancellation
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 EU consumer protection legislation.
However, if you have to withdraw because of unforeseen reasons and the vacant spot can be filled by a new participant, La Meridiana will reimburse the deposits paid minus a 200 euros administration fee.
If you cancel within 90 days prior to the course start date, you will lose the first deposit paid at the booking confirmation of euro 4000 and you will receive the refund of the second installment paid, due on August 15. If a course cannot be held due to unforeseen events beyond our control, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer you a voucher for a different course of your choice. The deposit will be transferred to the new course.
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Technical storage or access are strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of allowing the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. .
Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per lo scopo legittimo di memorizzare le preferenze che non sono richieste dall'abbonato o dall'utente.
Statistics
Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
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Franco Rampi has been working with clay since 1978. After apprenticeships in Italy and England, he returned to Tuscany in 1980 to open his own studio. He first produced functional objects in earthenware with slips and brushed overglaze decoration, before moving to reduction-fired stoneware. While he enjoys throwing traditional functional forms, he also experiments with clays, slips and sculptural objects, incorporating slab-building into his work. Since 2010, Franco has been a valued collaborator and wheel-throwing instructor at La Meridiana. Since 2020 he has also been teaching the in-depth courses “On Centre” and “On the Wheel”. Students find his structured, direct, supportive approach and extensive knowledge invaluable in levelling-up their throwing and glazing skills. Franco recognizes teaching as deeply fulfilling. He enjoys sharing his experience with new generations of potters and passing on the joy of creating on the wheel. 
Eve Carrobourg has been a close collaborator of La Meridiana since 2016. She began working with ceramics after completing her studies in Art History in Paris and Florence and trained at La Meridiana under the guidance of Pietro Maddalena and John Colbeck. Discovering a deep passion for glazes, she complemented her education with a year-long specialization on high-fire glazes in France. During her studies, she was awarded the prize of the “Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation”.
Giulia Bagni joined the team of La Meridiana in 2023. She has become an important facilitator of our courses, skilfully assisting the technical needs of our visiting instructors. Giulia is a go-to studio expert working behind the scenes, handling a variety of essential tasks ranging from running glaze-tests in preparation for our courses, ensuring that the classrooms are perfectly prepared to firing the kilns in all temperatures and atmospheres. When she’s not at La Meridiana, Giulia her spends time in her home studio, working on her own collection of wheel-thrown functional pieces.
