The Dragon Ceramic studio - Vallabrix, Gard, France
Raku Pottery & Sculptural Ceramics Holiday Courses
These courses will appeal to potters and would-be potters who would like a chance to combine intensive studio work in a delightful setting with the opportunity to explore a particularly interesting area of southern France.
The focus of the courses is on assisting you to formulate your own projects, whether pottery or sculpture, and on the hand-building techniques needed to realize them. This means that you work at your own level, and beginners are welcome. Groups are small and the atmosphere relaxed.
The courses culminate in the raku firing of your pieces – always a spectacular event for those who have never experienced a raku firing. Depending on the interest of the group, we may also try out alternative techniques, including smoke firing and horsehair raku.
In addition to those coming from Britain and France, our courses have attracted participants from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Hungary, Finland, Belgium, Venezuela, Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
THE LOCALITY
The studio is a roomy vaulted space in a walled garden below a traditional stone house, and with an additional courtyard shaded by a large fig tree. All these spaces are available to work in. It is in the centre of Vallabrix, an old agricultural village surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves. Most of this land is unfenced offering a variety of walks.
Nearby is Uzès, a very attractive hilltop town with a fine arcaded market square; also St.Quentin-la-Poterie, a village with a long history of ceramic production, a museum of Mediterranean pottery and an excellent gallery specializing in contemporary European ceramics. Over 20 studio potters are currently living there, and their studios or showrooms are open to visit. The area is also rich in Roman remains, with the Pont du Gard around 20 minutes away. Several interesting excursions are offered in the programme for those without their own transport, allowing time for independent exploration, and the option of a dip in the river for those who fancy it.
FOOD
Our cuisine is based on fresh local market produce, with good food and excellent local cheeses and wines. Special diets are catered for (just let us know when you book). As is local practice, the main meal of the day is usually a substantial lunch, depending on the studio programme - and we make this a relaxed and convivial occasion. Breakfast is usually served in the garden (for those staying locally). For any additional meals, basic ingredients are at your disposal in the kitchen next to the studio, and you can shop at the well-stocked Carrefour supermarket in St.Quentin-la-Poterie.
ACCOMMODATION
A choice of rooms is available on site and in the village.
For those without transport of their own it is essential to stay close to the studio, and we will take charge of booking your room, in consultation with you.
Rates normally 35-50€ per night on site or in neighbouring village houses. There is additionally an attractive and well-appointed chambres d'hôtes establishment in the village, offering rooms. Flats/gîtes can sometimes be found for families.
For those on a more limited budget, a cheaper option is available in a cool and comfortable (but less private) space next to the studio – contact us for details.
Non-participating partners also welcome.
For those who have their own transport, there is additionally a wide choice of Chambres d’Hôtes available locally in Uzès or local villages such as at St.Quentin-la-Poterie and St.Siffret, also camping (with pool) at Le Moulin Neuf*** near St.Quentin-la-Poterie.
Contact us for further information.
TRANSPORT
We provide local transport for those arriving by rail or air but please note transport from the UK or elsewhere is not included in the course fee. We can however advise on flights and rail services, and recommend you book in good time to take advantage of the lowest rates.
Avignon is served by Eurostar and the TGV rail service, changing at Lille or Paris, bookable from 90 days in advance. During the summer season Ryanair has daily flights into Nîmes airport from Luton, also several times a week from Liverpool and Brussels. Ryanair fares can be remarkably low if booked ahead. Montpellier, Avignon and Marseille airports also have flights to and from various British destinations, served by Ryanair, Flybe, Jet2 and Easyjet. Ireland is served from Carcassonne.
With the inclusive option, pick-up is included in the course fee from Nîmes or Avignon, which can be accessed by rail from other destinations. For an extra charge we will also pick you up from Montpellier.
If you have extra days to spare before the course starts, we suggest you might allow yourself more time to explore, by arriving early or staying on to spend some time in our local market town of Uzès or in Avignon, Arles or Nîmes, all well worth a longer visit and connected to each other by bus or rail. Pick-up by arrangement.
If you have difficulty finding a suitable flight to the area, a further (very comfortable) option is to fly Easyjet to Lyon St.Exupery and to continue on to Avignon by high speed TGV rail from the St.Exupery station right under Lyon airport. Lyon is currently a destination from Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Gatwick and Stansted airports in the UK and from several other European airports.
Avignon can also be quickly accessed by TGV from the station at Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport.
The courses are organized by Caroline Fawkes and Simon Pugh, who for many years worked at Central St.Martin's College of Art and Design, part of the University of the Arts, London. We taught on (amongst other BA/MA programmes) an innovative 5-year part-time course in Fine Art and Critical Studies. Since then Caroline has developed a ceramics practice while Simon has indulged his passion for cooking, specializing in local produce.