Course description

This course is directed at students who have previous experience in wheel throwing and want to explore the possibilities of clay surfaces by adding textures, patterns, and details. During the course, we will refresh the basics of wheel throwing and learn a variety of techniques to alter clay on the wheel: stretching with and without sodium silicate, coloured slip, and textures by kanna. 

You will have a unique chance to fully immerse yourself in the practice of wheel throwing, making progress that would be hard to achieve within the noise of everyday life.

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to choose which piece(s) you would like fired, glazed and shipped to you. As pieces need approximately a week to dry out, this will be done for you once the retreat has concluded.

Outcome

Although the course is focused on learning rather than making pieces, you will be able to keep some of the pieces you make:

• The course includes the firing and glazing of up to 3 kg of dry clay (that’s two medium dry bowls, or one large vase thrown with 3-4 kg of wet clay)
• There is an extra charge of 20€/kg of clay for firing and glazing of more than 3kg of clay
• All pieces will be glazed with a standard transparent high-temperature glaze
• We do not ship unglazed bisque pieces, as the chances of them breaking during shipping are too high
• Shipping costs are charged separately (we’ll provide you with a shipping fee document closer to the date)

Teacher

Anas is a ceramic designer based in Barcelona. After studying interior and industrial design at Escola Massana, he opened his own studio, Espai Alfar, where he produces his own work as well as develops projects for other designers. He is also a regular teacher at the renowned Barcelona school El Torn.

Anas’s work profile ranges from conceptual through to product design and his specialty is in large format throwing and slip mould production. Anas draws inspiration from his great-grandmother, who was a potter from the arid Mountains in Northern Africa. His work follows a philosophy based on responsible production, an enriching process, and collaborations with other designers and artists.

Who is the course right for?

This course is right for you if:

• you can confidently centre and throw pieces of 2 kg
• you are a ceramics student or practising ceramicist who wants to take a deep dive into the magic world of ceramics textures