44-2026 – On Centre – Fall – Brian Dickenson

Introduction

On Centre – Fall is a course dedicated to throwing and firing functional ceramics, with attention to glazing, and surface techniques. Additionally, students will refine their visual awareness consistently.

Techniques

On Centre – Fall offers continued time for practice, coupled with one-on-one attention from the instructors. It allows for real progress on the wheel and trains the ability to translate ideas into three dimensional objects. Exercises aim to enhance both skill and awareness, so that the participants will see improving their pots in form and finish. Furthermore, there is much attention to glazing and surface techniques.

Thoughtful and controlled application of glaze will be encouraged and cover a wide range of decorative possibilities from work done with clay immediately after throwing to work done with glaze, simple and more complex will be shown. The practical part of the course is complemented by a series of visual talks covering historical and contemporary aspects of ceramics. The work will be executed with two different types of stoneware and firings will occur both in reduction and oxidation atmosphere.

Teaching Method

There will be a main instructor, supported by Eve Carrobourg for specific aspects like glazing and critique and by the studio technician Giulia Bagni. The instructors will provide demonstrations and instruction for the group and plenty of one-to-one assistance. Each student has a generous work space equipped with a wheel, shelving and tools. During the second part of the course, participants may pursue a project of their own choice, that will be chosen with the help of the instructors. On Centre-Fall will end with a final show. Images of previous student work may be found here.

Logistics

Students will stay and study in the supportive environment of La Meridiana, with a generous working space at their disposal. This intensive course is open to all levels but some previous experience with clay is required. The course is open for a maximum of 9 students.

A delicious mid day meal is included on all working days. At booking, each participant may select the preferred room type, choosing between on site standard single rooms with shared bathroom, single rooms with en-suite bathroom at 3 minutes walking distance from the school or private on site apartments

Application and cost

Application is by written proposal. Please write to info@lameridiana.fi.it to find out about the cost and more.

The artists and instructors

Brian Dickenson attended the Throwers course at Derbyshire college of Higher Education and obtained a Research Diploma at  Cardiff Institute of Higher Education, focusing on composition and  firing of oriental glazes. He holds a MA ceramics Degree from Cardiff institute of Higher Education.

Artist statement
”I spent time with my Mentor Philip Wood producing standard interspersed with work placements in Ireland, concentrating on raw production and repetition throwing. During this extended period of journeyman activity I spent considerable time working under Seth and Ara Cardew at the celebrated Wenford Bridge Pottery.  Since this time, I have established four potteries of my own over a 30 year period. In addition to making a broad range of functional ware and one off pieces, I have developed a particular interest in kiln building. I have become involved increasingly in teaching ceramics and professional consultancy and as a regular lecturer at Clay College Stoke UK.I remain fascinated by all aspects of ceramics”

@briandickensonceramics

Glaze tutor

Eve Carrobourg studied in Art History in Paris and Florence and then pursued in the field of ceramics. She  trained at La Meridiana under the guidance of its founder Pietro Maddalena and of 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 and since several years teaches an in depth, though easy to understand glaze course at La Meridiana. 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.

Studio technician

Giulia Bagni joined the La Meridiana team in 2023. She has become an important facilitator of our courses, skillfully 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 spends time in her home studio, working on her own collection of wheel-thrown functional pieces.
Throughout the course, Giulia will assist with the technical tasks to ensure an enjoyable studio environment for everyone involved.