September 6 - 15

When fire takes over..
and material begins to react in ways you can’t direct?

8 full days working at the edge of what you know — and beyond.

For ceramicists ready to go further, and are open to be surprised.

Prices 6 - 15 Sept. Fire & Form

The Lessons

🔥 LEVEL

This retreat is for intermediate and advanced ceramicists only.

You should feel comfortable on the wheel — centering, pulling and basic forms are already part of your practice.

This is not about learning the basics.
It’s about pushing beyond them.

🔥 THE CONTENT

During these 9 days, you’ll work 8 full days immersed in fire-based processes and surface transformation.

We combine wheel throwing with experimental firing techniques:

• pit fire (including building your own kiln)
• raku
• obvara
• saggar firing
• terra sigillata

You’ll work with powerful and reactive materials such as copper, iron oxides, organic combustibles and ferric chloride — exploring surfaces that develop through fire, smoke and chemical reaction.

This is not controlled, predictable work.
It’s a dialogue between you, the material and the fire.

🔥 THE PROCESS

You create, refine and prepare your pieces specifically for these firing methods.

You’ll learn:
• how to design forms for alternative firing
• how to prepare surfaces (burnishing, terra sigillata)
• how to build and manage pit fires and saggar setups
• how different materials and atmospheres influence results

There is space to experiment, to fail, and to push further.

🔥 THE OUTCOME

You will leave with a body of work that goes beyond technique.

Surfaces that cannot be repeated exactly.
Results shaped by fire, timing and material interaction.

More importantly:
a deeper understanding of process, and a shift in how you approach your work.

🔥 THE TEACHER

This retreat is led by Gudrun, together with guest artist Mikkel de Mib.

Gudrun guides the technical and process-based foundation, ensuring your forms are strong, intentional and ready for firing.

Mikkel brings his expertise in alternative firing techniques, working with materials, surface reactions and experimental processes at a high level.

Together, they create a balance between control and letting go — between precision and unpredictability.

🔥 FINAL TOUCH

You will never look at clay the same way again.

Bio

September 6 - 15- for beginners and intermediates by Gudrun Wilsterman

Daily schedule:

yoga - optional 7:00 -8:00
breakfast 8:15 - 8:45
After that, we work several hours in the studio — throwing, preparing, and building pieces.

Around midday, we take a break for lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, we continue the process: refining work, preparing for firing, and setting up installations such as pit fires and saggar setups.

At the end of the day, there is space to continue working independently or to step back and recharge.

The exact flow of each day unfolds as we go.
We work with fire and processes that cannot be fully planned or controlled.

This requires flexibility — but creates space for deeper exploration, experimentation, and unexpected results.

What is included?

Daily ceramic lessons
All necessary materials
Optionally one hour of gentle yoga every morning
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, wine, snacks and refreshments, 2 x a restaurant visit
An activity (hiking, truffle hunting, safari tour, beach visit (not the sunbeds), museum visit

To book

Below you can book this retreat and secure your spot. Please indicate which room you'd like to book. You can view the various rooms, their prices, and the cancellation policies under " Prices & Terms ." I hope to see you soon at Ceramicaza in the Dream House.

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