Join us in the heart Italy - in our mountaintop "castle town" of Monte Castello di Vibio for an intensive week of wood kiln construction with renowned potter and master kiln-builder, Rudie Delanghe!
Here, deep among the mountains and ancient forests, Roman and Etruscan kilns still dot the clay-rich landscape of the Tiber Valley. Our participants live and work in an ancient mountain village made of stones, which is unchanged since the middle ages. We are surrounded by vineyards and olive groves -and steeped in traditions. This is truly a side of Italy that most travelers never experience!
In this landscape where past meets present, we will follow in the path of the ancestral crafts of the region as we construct a kiln that Rudie has designed and has himself built many times. The 1.5 meter wood fired trolley kiln we build together will constructed with over 2,000 refractory insulation bricks and provide a useable space 100 cm wide, 120 cm long, 130 cm high. This remarkably efficient kiln design is very economical in its use of wood and easy to fire by one person.
Building a wood-fired kiln is a complex process that requires both extensive knowledge and experience as well as careful planning. Rudie will select materials, weld our metal frames and trolley, and lend his direction and masonry expertise to the group as we build the kiln itself. Participants will learn principles that underlie the successful design of a wood kiln and the complex process behind its construction from a master European kiln-builder! This workshop is open to all levels of experience. Those interested in firing their work and experiencing the kiln in action, should consider our subsequent Workshop: Earth, Hands, and Fire: Building Epic Vessels for the Wood Kiln with Eva Champagne October 5- 19, 2025.(Be sure to inquire about reduced pricing for both workshops.)
During the Workshop, participants will be housed in the remarkably well-preserved Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio. Your workshop package is all-inclusive, providing welcome and departure services and airport transfer from the Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) aboard our comfortable private bus, single occupancy accommodations with shared bath (a wide range of upgrades with private bath are available), 3 meals per day Monday-Thursday, Prosecco brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Your workshop includes one excursion per week and many additional options are available on weekends for an additional fee. Of course, 24/7 access to facilities and 24/7 bi-lingual support are provided.
Payment Policies
Participants can choose from "Payment in Full" or "Non-refundable Deposit" payment options. However, if the "Non-Refundable Deposit" option is chosen, payment in full must be made within 60 days of submission of € 500 (Euro) Non-refundable Deposit in order to hold the reservation. If payment in full is not made within this period, Registration and Deposit may be forfeit.
In general, payment in full is required no less than 90 days of the of the workshop start date. No participant will be admitted to our FCO Airport Transfer vehicle with an outstanding balance.
If payment in full is not made by these dates, respectively of Workshop timing, as per the above, both Registration and Deposit MAY BE FORFEIT.
Our decision to offer Workshops is based on achieving small enrollment minimums, with this in mind, all payments are non-refundable after payment in full has been made. However, under certain circumstances (see below) credit from one workshop may be utilized for another Workshop or Residency within a one-year period.
Session Cancellation by ICARTS
ICARTS only “cancels” retreats in the event of low enrollment or in circumstances in which providing the opportunity to re-schedule is not possible. Each ICARTS Workshop requires a minimum number of participants enrolled - including the Residency Program. While the minimum enrollment number may vary according to the timing and duration of the session, the minimum is typically, six (6), to nine (9). If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the the right to cancel those programs.
When a condition arises that results in a cancellation, participants will be notified and the class will be rescheduled to a later date. In event that ICARTS determines that enrollment for a particular session/Retreat is insufficient, ICARTS will typically offer you:
In circumstances in which travel is interrupted due to travel restrictions or health protocols, Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God) ICARTS WILL NOT CANCEL, but will re-schedule the same workshop within the soonest reasonable opportunity or in the succeeding calendar year. In case of death or illness. of instructor, a substitution will be made at the discretion of ICARTS. Beyond these factors, all reasonable effort will be made to schedule the Workshop with the same Instructor, however, in cases where this is not possible a Full Refund (minus the € 500 Euro Deposit) MAY BE Offered.
Cancellation by the Participant
Observing the above dates and criteria, cancellation by the participant is not possible once Payment in Full has been made. However, in certain circumstances - such as illness of the participant or illness or death of a close relative or spouse - payment may be applied to another workshop within a one-year period. Candidates seeking to cancel due to personal hardship, illness, or death should contact the ICARTS in writing, stating full personal and course details. In this case, fees paid – excluding deposit - MAY BE applied to another workshop within a one-year period. However, this withdrawal and substitution may not cause the enrollment to fall below the minimum number, in this case substitutions cannot be made.
In cases of Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God, unforeseen illness or death, or death of a family member) we highly recommend that your travel insurance policy include coverage for any trip cancellation that may occur prior to or afterdeparture. Policy coverage varies. Often, it is advantageous to purchase your coverage prior to reservation payments with us and your flight provider. Check your specific policy carefully for more information. See the travel insurance section of the ParticipantHandbook for more information.
Arrive Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs FCO promptly at 12:00 PM. With this in mind, our shuttle cannot support arrivals later than 11:00 AM. Participants arriving after 11:00 AM must coordinate the trip to Monte Castello at their own expense.
Arrive at Monte Castello about 2:30- Welcome! Get to know one another, tour the studio and ICARTS grounds, meet the kiln and kiln builder, get settled in the studio and our accommodations.
Arrival at Monte Castello di Vibio appx.: 2:30 PM:Lunch/Orientation/Rest/ Tour of village/ Dinner
Day 2: Monday,
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Kiln Work
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Kiln Work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 "Rudie Delanghe Work and Influences"
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Kiln Work
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Kiln Work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Kiln Work
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Kiln Work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Umbrian Clay: An Overview of Resources and Traditions
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session:Kiln Work
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Kiln Work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session:Kiln Work
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Kiln Work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work 8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
Morning Free
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon Session: Excursion: Clay Dig/Deruta
8:00 Dinner
Departure day
Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs Monte Castello at 5:30 AM
