Tuscany 2010

2009-07-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Italian Impressionists
Tony and Sheila Clennell in Tuscany 2010
April 25 – May 8

The workshop will explore surface, texture and pattern on clay. Recent work has been an exploration of patterns using roulettes, stamps and many found objects. The maker’s marks and details of process are what we are interested in leaving in the finished work. Although we are mostly known for our thrown work we have incorporated slab and hand building into our studio work. The course should be of interest to both throwers and hand builders alike. We finish off the course with a wood firing in the sweet two chambered kiln at la Meridiana. This day long event gives context to our program in Italy by teaching history, learning about process and materials and the importance of community in the practicing of our art. This course will certainly make an impression
Presenters
Tony and Sheila Clennell
The Clennell’s have been studio potters for the past 2 decades. They have been published in many ceramic journals and have been collected in some of the finest museums and institutions around the world. Sheila is currently a teacher of ceramics at Mohawk College and Tony at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada. Tony has taught workshops in the US, China, Japan and Italy.
The word Tuscany conjures up images of gentle hills clad with vineyards and glasses brimming with good wine. Blessed with beauty, wine and an unparalleled artistic legacy, Tuscany’s a region that largely lives up to its image. Stupendous art, soul-aching countryside, stirring wine and lip-smacking cuisine is what this enviable region, from where the Renaissance rippled out across Europe, is all about. In this workshop…..

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME

Day Activities Notes
Sunday
April 25 Arrival by 06:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner in Bagnano
A good night’s rest
Monday
April 26 Introduction to workshop.
Making 8:30 am Breakfast at La Meridiana. Introduction to the studio and the studio rules by Pietro
12:30 pm Lunch 5:00 pm Shopping for food in Certaldo
Tuesday
April 27 Making
Making 12:30 pm Lunch
7: 00pm Pot luck with ( student’s) slide show and talk
Wednesday
April 28 Making
Making 12:30 pm Lunch

Thursday
April 29 Making
Making 12:30 pm Lunch
Wine tasting and supper in Barberino
Friday
April 30 Making
Making 12:30 pm Lunch
Saturday
May 1 Finish making 12:30 pm Lunch
Sunday
May 2 Free day Day trip to Siena with guided tour of two hours
Monday
May 3
Making, Bisq 12:30 pm Lunch
5:00 pm Shopping for food in Certaldo
Tuesday
May 4
Load Wood kiln 12:30 pm Lunch
Spaghetti demo and supper
Wednesday
May 5 Firing 12:30 pm Lunch
Visit to local street market and Certaldo alto.
Thursday
May 6

Kiln cooling
Visit to S. Gimignano and supper
Friday
May 7
Unload kiln, discussion and packing 12:30 lunch
Farewell Pizza dinner
Saturday
May 8 Leave by 11.00 Ciao!

COST
The total cost of the course is of 1.700 Euro; Spouses are welcome. They are entitled to everything offered by La Meridiana as in the agreement except what pertains workshop and ceramic activities.
The cost for a non- clay participant is of 1100 Euro.

PRICE
Tuition
All materials and firings
Lodging in double room (single room on request, add 240 Euro)
All lunches on the working days
Coffee breaks
Welcome dinner, Farwell dinner and three supper
Field trips to S. Gimignano, Certaldo, Siena with guide
Wine tasting
Espresso language lessons
BOOKING
A booking fee of 400 Euro will be requested.
Balance within one month before the beginning of the course

DATES Sunday April 25 to Saturday May 8, 2010

DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

ACOMMODATION is in the apartments of a Tuscan farmhouse, which has been restored to simple comfort. Double room with shared bathroom and cooking facilities. Towels and Linen is furnished. It is a lovely 10 minutes walk away from the studio.

FOOD A full Tuscan gourmet lunch is served on the working days. We are right in the production area of one of the most famous and renowned wines in the world, Chianti, and we will take advantage of that, tasting it at lunch. An optional add on wine tasting is offered. There will be a coffee break with tea, coffee and biscotti (Italian cookies) every morning and afternoon

A pot luck dinner at the beginning of the workshop is the opportunity to get to know your fellow group members and share pictures of each other’s previous work.
Spaghetti cooking demo. A delicious insight into the very basics of Italian cuisine! Extra evening lessons can be arranged for groups of six or more.
San Gimignano. The medieval town is a short drive from La Meridiana. Known for its gelato as well as its stunning towers, the “Medieval Manhattan” is a beautiful setting in which to eat, shop, relax and explore.

Certaldo alto, atop of a hill is the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, author of the ironic masterpiece “Decamerone”. It’s medieval atmosphere is still intact. It is a stunning setting for the show of contemporary ceramic sculpture which we will visit.

• Wine tasting. We will sample the world-renowned wines of the area and visit the cellars where they are produced. Besides wines we will also get the chance to taste and purchase the local extravergin olive oil, produced in small quantities. The group will have the benefit of an sommelier to explain the fundamentals of wine and olive oil tasting. Recently Tuscany has been called chocolate valley; we will make sure to check if this title is deserved.
•

Certaldo Market. A local open-air market with a variety of food, clothing, shoes and housewares.
Siena. There is time for a day trip to one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Its profusion of churches and small museums harbor a wealth of artwork, though equally your day can be effectively filled by simply wandering the snarled lanes of the historic centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site. A two hour guided tour will give us a good insight in history and art.
Espresso language lesson. Our morning lesson of Italian language during coffee break will introduce some concepts about how to learn a foreign language and how to make it sound right. During these short lessons our Italian friends will teach us language basics, and you can work individually to learn the amount of Italian, which is functional to your time and travelling.

Ground transportation is included during the whole course.

La Meridiana – Loc. Bagnano, 135 – 50052 Certaldo (Firenze) – Italy
info@lameridiana.fi.it - www.lameridiana.fi.it –Tel& Fax: +39 0571 660084