Introduction

The Art of Fire is an immersive 10-day journey into the ancient and exhilarating art of wood-fired ceramics. This is where earth, air, wood, and fire converge to create surfaces that cannot be achieved any other way. Through hands-on making, intensive firing, and the deep satisfaction of taming flame, you'll discover how fire becomes your creative partner. Working both independently and communally around the kiln, you'll experience the sacred and exhilarating dance between potter and fire that has captivated ceramicists for millennia.

What You'll Create & Learn

We begin with clay that thrives in the reduction environment of wood fire. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, you'll build mugs, jars, and vessels using hand-building techniques designed for atmospheric firing. You'll explore slips and glazes that respond to flame and ash, learning to read how fire will transform your surfaces.

Then comes the heart of the retreat: stoking the wood-burning kiln. You'll learn three distinct firing philosophies - intuitive stoke, once-firing, and down firing - understanding the variables at play with each addition of wood to the firebox. This is the intersection where knowledge meets intuition, where patience meets transformation.

Bonus: While "Cantico," the Il Baciarino woodfire kiln, cools, we'll continue playing with fire in "Yansa," the Raku kiln! You'll explore raku crackle glazes, horsehair and feather burns, and the ancient technique of obvara.

Teaching Approach

This retreat welcomes all levels of experience - from those curious about wood firing to seasoned ceramicists seeking to deepen their practice. The intensity of firing a wood kiln naturally creates both focused work time and essential rest periods, allowing for a rhythm of creation and reflection throughout our days together.

The Italian Experience

The retreat unfolds in the breathtaking countryside of rural Tuscany at Il Baciarino. Between intensive making and firing sessions, you'll have time to slow down - to practice yoga, meditate, sketch, or simply absorb the stunning views. We'll explore Italian culture through visits to ancient Etruscan sites, the hilltop village of Castiglione della Pescaia (don't miss the gelato!), and the nearby beach. After the physical work of firing, you can relax in the private sauna or soak in the hot tub under Tuscan stars. It's the perfect balance to the demanding beauty of wood firing.

Your Instructor

This retreat is taught by Pamela Woodworth, who brings over 20 years of dedicated wood-firing experience to every stoke. Pamela was one of The Six resident artists at Il Baciarino in 2025, and her work from that residency was juried into the prestigious "Will of the Kiln" show at the New England Woodfire Conference 2025.

As founder of Pine Row Studio in Mount Vernon, Ohio - both a gallery and teaching studio established in 2016 - Pamela has fired numerous kiln designs, learning from master builders and generous mentors along the way. She understands that each kiln has its own demands and nuances, that no firing is ever the same. This knowledge - born of both mastery and humility before the fire - is what she brings to every participant.

Logistics

Nine participants maximum - small enough for personalized attention at the kiln, large enough to sustain the communal energy that wood firing requires.

Cost

The retreat costs €2300 which covers instruction, clay and firings, meals and drinks, trips and tastings, tools and materials, and train station pick-up and drop-off.  

Accommodations

Accommodations are priced separately and are available on a first come, first serve basis. These are the options:

• La Quercia, tucked away at the end of a treelined path, is a nature lover’s paradise. It boasts a queen bed, private viewing deck, and a breathtaking view. €1080 (for the 9 nights)

• La Dolce Vita, with its large deck and outside seating area, is our best known cottage. It has a double bed and little sitting room. €1080

• La Medea is for the romantics with its hammock in the trees and fairy lit bedroom. It has a queen bed and large deckspace. €810

• La Rondine, located right next to the studios, boasts a queen bed, huge floor to ceiling windows, and a sweet little loft. €1080

• La Pesca, located at the top of the property, is a house that up to 4 artists share. It has a huge deck and an open space main area with kitchen, dining table and couch. There are two upper bedrooms with single beds that share a bathroom - €500 for each upper bedroom. The two lower bedrooms share a bathroom and each have a double bed - €550 for each lower bedroom.

Before deciding, I highly recommend having a look at the location - Il Baciarino - where the retreats are held either via their instagram or website. It’s truly spectacular.

Email us to book