Creative Expressions
in Clay
Introduction
There's something revelatory about finding your aesthetic voice. After years of ideas fermenting, waiting for clarity, I've watched how quickly inspiration flows once we commit to exploration. Whether it's punky graphic black and white, loose swirly forms glazed with heaven and earth, or painterly birds and flowers under soft matte—each decision becomes a small story about what beauty means to us.
Come with a collection of images of surfaces that you love and we'll explore how to recreate them! Creative Expression in Clay (September 4 - 13, 2026) is a dedicated chance to get playful with the surface, but it's also permission to be messy, experimental, and unapologetically yourself. This is not about perfection—it's about discovery. It's about celebrating the imperfections of the hand-building process, letting the glaze highlight every mark you've made rather than hiding them.
In our intimate class of six, you'll have room to take creative risks with the safety net of community support. We'll play with transfers, prints, painting, carving, and whatever techniques speak to your aesthetic. By the end, you won't just have beautiful pieces—you'll have uncovered more of your own creative voice and learned to trust it.
Content
Each day will include
playful exercises to get our creative juices flowing
multiple demonstrations of surface decoration techniques
a collection of images to inspire us
We will finish off this course with a firing of the wood burning kiln or the soda kiln depending on which kiln will offer us the surfaces we want.
Prerequisites
This course is suitable for beginners who are excited about exploring the potential of clay or seasoned makers who are looking to broaden and deepen their choices for self expression.
Food and Relaxation
We will indulge ourselves in the best that Tuscany has to offer. Three meals a day, Italian style. Our meals are based on the freshest local and home grown ingredients, prepared with that light Italian touch. Dinners will begin with an aperitivo, there will be wine at each lunch and dinner, and a ‘digestive’ will round things out (there are always non-alcoholic options, and all of it’s included in the price)
But not only will we eat, we’ll also learn how some of it’s done! Try your hand at our ricotta gnocchi or gnudi. Learn the tricks of a terrific tiramisu. And make your own wood-fired pizza from scratch. You’ll be able to go home and impress your friends with more than your ceramics!
Several local trips will round out our enjoyment of Italy.
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 Medea is for the romantics with its hammock in the trees and fairy lit bedroom. It has a queen bed and large deck space. €990
La Rondine, located right next to the studios, boasts a queen bed, huge floor to ceiling windows, and a sweet little loft. €1260
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 - €540 for each upper bedroom. The two lower bedrooms share a bathroom and each have a double bed - €675 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.
