Our 2012 courses are broadly similar to those we have offered in the past, with good food, support for students' individual agendas, and interesting local visits (including high quality ceramic work in studios and galleries). The garden and courtyard are always available for relaxation, along with a wide range of ceramics literature.
In the courses slideshow you can see a range of the raku and smoke-fired hand-built work produced on past courses. Some work by first-time potters is included.
We have recently been selected by the travel website of the American media company CNN for a feature on 10 inspiring courses around the world.
Our advertised courses run between June and September 2012. In or outside this time frame we are happy to offer tailor-made courses to suit your individual needs – contact us.
The basic course fee – for those arriving independently with their own transport - is 375€, to include one main meal per studio day. For those without their own transport we have a more inclusive option, normally at 475€, excluding accommodation. For accommodation options and other details, please see below and also the page about our courses.
Please contact us if you would like us to email or post you a booking form and notes on payment. A deposit of 100€ or sterling equivalent will confirm your reservation. The remainder of the course fee is payable in euros on arrival, plus the accommodation fee (if applicable).
For locally based potters and would-be potters we also run occasional half-day handbuilding workshops with raku firings throughout the winter and spring months on Sunday mornings.
Day 1 For the less experienced, explore a variety of handbuilding techniques with a view to embarking on personal projects. Evening visits to ceramics studios.
Days 2-3 Development of personal projects. Evening visits to ceramics galleries and/or the Pont du Gard. Trial Raku firing.
Day 4 Morning: during biscuit firing of work: optional glaze-making session.
Afternoon excursion – choice of destination to be discussed.
Day 5 Glazing or other surface treatment, raku firings, possibly also smoke or other alternative firings, into the evening.
375€ for those with their own transport
475€ for the more inclusive option, including local transport and pick up from station or airport.
These courses are designed to make things as easy as possible for those arriving by train or air, and the fees for the inclusive option cover: pick up from station or airport (Avignon or Nîmes), local transport, dinner on day of arrival, 6 breakfasts and 5 main meals, buffet on final evening, other snacks where required. Breakfast is usually served in the garden (for those staying locally). Otherwise in the evenings during the summer months an atmospheric courtyard is at your disposal, together with an adjacent kitchen stocked with wine, juices, coffee, teas and infusions, and food basics. (For those who prefer to explore local cafés or restaurants, we will be happy to provide transport from Vallabrix.)
A choice of rooms is available on site and in the village. See information on Accommodation on the introductory page about our courses.
Those with their own transport are welcome on all these courses at a basic course fee of 375€, to include lunch on studio days and a buffet supper on the final evening.