19 - 28 FEBRUARY 2025
woodfiring & shino glazes
with Álvaro Villamañan & Barry Krzywicki
Making pots for the kitchen and table
The Woodfiring & Shino glazes course - Making Pots for the Kitchen and Table at Cerdeira - Home for Creativity will focus on understanding the entire ceramic process, from developing a participant’s skill in the production of utilitarian pieces to glazing and wood firing in our Sasukenei - smokeless kiln.
For 10 days, participants will enhance their ceramic skills by joining a small group in a welcoming and collaborative environment led by our friendly and specialized instructors, Álvaro Villamañan and Barry Krzywicki.
Firstly, we will create pots, mugs, jugs, bowls and containers through intensive practice, guided step by step by our teachers, using the potter's wheel and handbuilding techniques. This training will enable participants to develop their technical skills to create functional and handsome ceramics.
Second, we will explore decoration techniques, such as leather-hard decoration, inlay, and sgraffito, to create unique and intricate details on the pieces. Additionally, the course covers the application of Shino glazes, with three different recipes, providing an in-depth understanding of glaze layers and their applications.
Third, participants will experience wood-firing, a traditional firing method that imparts a unique character to each piece. Participants will learn how to properly load the kiln and position each piece to enhance it’s decoration and glaze. Taking part in the woodfiring will provide a deep and practical understanding of this ceramic technique.
Barry Krzywicki has been passionate about ceramics for over 40 years as a maker, a teacher, and a historian. Álvaro Villamañán discovered ceramics at the age of 21 purely by chance. Now, they are teaming up at Cerdeira to share their passion for wood-firing and expertise in pottery making. Barry has led ceramic history tours in Spain, lectured on the history of Spanish and Mexican ceramics, and has researched Spanish Lusterware and Majolica. He also participated in artistic residencies from the UK to USA and Cuba. Concerning his work, he states: “As a ceramic artist, I am intrigued by the visual definition of form and its nuances. I employ many of the same processes that folk potters utilize. For me, the creative process is a profound transformational experience. I would never have predicted that when I first began working in clay, my work would have the character that it does today. As I repeat the act of making a piece, it goes through a gradual evolution, which results from a series of minute adjustments and small discoveries over time. I strive to pay close attention to these shifts while making pots.” Learn more about Barry Krzywicki here.
From the beginning, Álvaro Villamañán tried to learn in a completely self-taught manner, stating, “I didn't have anyone to teach me the techniques I wanted to learn. This allowed me to develop a very personal style of work, having learned from my own mistakes rather than a master.” His ceramic pieces focus on three styles: Kohiki or Buncheong ware – used for many of his utilitarian pots and tableware; Shino ceramics – meant for pieces searching for warmer tones to contrast with the Kohiki pots on the table; Anagama fired pots - used for more artistic and less production oriented work with unglazed exteriors, made using a low-iron stoneware containing feldspar grains, influenced by Shigaraki ceramics.Learn more about Álvaro Villamañán here.
Course Details
DAILY PROGRAM:
Manufacture of utilitarian pots, mugs, jugs, bowls, and jars:
Intensive training on the Potter’s Wheel;
Pulling handles and making pouring spouts.
Decorative techniques, such as leather-hard decoration, inlay, and sgraffito,
Glazing:
3 different Shino glazes recipes (white, cream, red);
Flashing slip;
Glaze layering;
Firing:
Kiln Loading, where to put each pot depending on the decoration and the type of shino;
Woodfiring experience (48h).
Request the full program by email to artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
SCHEDULE:
February 19th:
3 pm: Accommodation and check-in of participants
5 pm: Reception at the Atelier and presentation of the group and trainers;
7:30 pm: Welcome dinner at Casa das Artes
February 20th to 28th:
Course from 10 am to 6 pm, with a two-hour lunch break (1pm to 3pm)
*The schedule is flexible on the days the kiln firing starts and ends. During the firing in the Sasukenei - Smokeless Kiln the students will be assigned to 4 hour shifts.
The studio is open from 6 pm to 10 pm.
March 1st:
Until 11 am: check-out from accommodation
CONDITIONS
Deadline for enrollment: December 19th, 2024.
Special discount for newsletter subscribers available for early bird registrations by 7/10/2024.
THE COURSE FEE INCLUDES:
Integration in a small group of participants;
Training 5-6 hours a day, speaking in English, Portuguese and Spanish;
Lunch during the course;
Free accommodation at the hostel during the course (10 nights)*;
All the materials needed for the course;
Welcome dinner on the first day of the course;
*The hostel is equipped with two dormitories (female/masculine), a kitchen, and two shared bathrooms. The booking includes towels and linen.
ACCOMMODATION UPGRADES AVAILABLE:
Upgrade to 10 nights in a standard schist house shared by 2 participants and breakfast at an additional cost of 700€/per participant. Includes shared room, equipped kitchen, towels, and bed linen.
Upgrade to 10 nights in a standard schist house for single occupancy by 1 participant and breakfast, with an additional cost of 1000€/per participant. Includes single room, equipped kitchen, towels, and bed linen.
Please note that all accommodation options have limited availability and will be booked according to the order of registration and payment. This rate is not cumulative with other discounts or promotions. For more information, contact artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
ENROLLMENTS AND MORE INFO:
artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
+351 913 989 281*
*(call to national mobile network)
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration, paying the correspondent transfer fees. Following the EU consumer protection legislation, payments are not refunded past 14 days of registration. The payment will be fully reimbursed if the training cannot be held because of insufficient students.
Suppose the training is canceled by Cerdeira - Home For Creativity for reasons of significant force such as a pandemic, civil disorder, a natural catastrophe, medical or family issues of the teacher, and others beyond our control. In that case, Cerdeira will offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years.
GALlERy
