In this course, we will explore surfaces and forms that are enhanced by a decorative Maiolica surface. We will start with making tiles and learn a variety of making techniques. They will be fired and glazed with maiolica. Then, we will have a brushwork lesson, and learn about the brush shapes, and uses.
Participants will make pots and forms to decorate after the bisque firing. Karin will demonstrate a variety of painting and patterning techniques. Then we’ll paint, paint, paint, and glaze fire at the end. Karin shares all her recipes and tricks for making the Maiolica work well. Historical and contemporary maiolica art will be shown to inspire us.
The Tiber Valley below Monte Castello, is rich in clay deposits, which have fostered ceramic traditions for millenia. Since the 14th c., the nearby town of Deruta remains one the world-centers of majolica technique. We will visit Deruta to see traditional artists at work, get to know their techniques, and experience their wares. We will also tour the outstanding, Museo Regionale Della Ceramica, one of the oldest ceramic museums in Italy, with over 6,000 works in the collection! Remarkably, the museum is connected by an underground tunnel to the San Salvatore Kilns, an ancient network of kilns and ceramic facilities dating from the late 1200’s. It is a fascinating and inspiring site to see and experience the rich history of the medium - the perfect setting for our workshop! On our way back to Monte Castelo, we will stop at one of the famous wineries in the Sagrantino zone and sample some of the incredible wines of the region.
Participants in the workshop 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 (no meals are served on Friday, our excursion day. 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.
Karin Kraemer is an artist, and owner of Duluth Pottery, in Duluth MN. She makes pottery and tile for everyday use in order to bring art to the table and home. She works in Maiolica, a tin glaze technique. Her objective is to celebrate the day, drawing from everyday scenes and objects for my imagery capturing the color and movement of the moment.
Karin grew up in Minneapolis and in 1986 received her BFA in glass working from St. Cloud State University. She blew glass in Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin. She moved to Morgantown, WV in 1990 and started working in clay at the WVU clay center. In 1996, Karin moved to Carbondale, Illinois and did graduate work at Southern Illinois University, receiving an MFA in Ceramics in1996. She found my way to Maiolica there, and loved it! Later, she and her husband moved to Victoria, British Columbia. We lived there for 2 years making pots, gardening and traveling. In 1998, Duluth became our new home.
Today, Karin teaches at local colleges and workshops, and am part of our Lincoln Park Crafts District. A few years ago, she opened Duluth Pottery, to showcase her artwork and talented artists from our region. They have two potters and two letterpress artists at the facility making art.
Airfare reimbursement up to $1,200.00 will be distributed by check from an U.S. Bank, once the minimum enrollment has been met.
Arrive Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs FCO at 12:00 PM
Arrival at Monte Castello di Vibio appx.: 2:30 PM:Lunch/Orientation/Rest/ Tour of village/ Dinner
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Tile lesson
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Make tiles and dry to fire.
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work work on tiles and personal projects
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: Throwing/handbuilding techniques
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Brushwork and decorating demonstration
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. : Historical and contemporary maiolica examples
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Throwing/handbuilding techniques
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Trimming/assembly
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: Last wet work so we can bisque.
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session
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.
Excursion:
Morning: free or independent work: Last wet work so we can bisque.
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon: free or independent work
Morning: free or independent work
11:00 AM Brunch
Afternoon: free or independent work: Glaze bisqued pieces
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session: Glazing demo and get to work!
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Glazing demo and work
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work: Get done and fire!
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
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
2:00 – 6:30 Afternoon Session: Unload kiln and have roundtable talk about our pieces in the gallery
6:30 – 8:00 Opening Reception
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs Monte Castello at 5:30 AM
