Earth & fire - pit fired ceramics

Over this amazing four day experience, ceramic artist Melina Xenaki  will take you on an ancient journey using traditional methods to transform clay into ceramics in a pit fire.

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Much of your work will be experimental using both modern and ancient techniques of hand building pots. You may also have the chance to learn about processing local clay. Having made both coil and pinch pots, you will burnish them before drying them slowly around a small fire.

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And then on to the pit firing process which in construction is just as important as your clay. You will dig a shallow pit, collect combustibles & layer your pit to achieve the right heat levels.

You will experiment with decorative techniques and colorants. Cow pies, seaweed,  grasses, banana skins, leaves, twigs, copper and coal will all be part of the process. 

​18-21 July 2025

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If you are not able to do these dates,

let us know as we are considering

an additional 3 day course on

13-15 April 2025​

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Also see pottery taster session exploring different techniques such as pinch pots, slab and throwing on a wheel

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£395

(plus £55 course materials)

Tea, coffee and simple lunch included in your course price 
 

We also offer accommodation & evening meals

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Click here to see what we offer

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This course is aimed at adults, aged 18yrs + and is suitable for beginners to those with experience

Melina Xenaki is now an Athens based ceramic artist. After achieving a first-class BA Hons in Ceramics & Glass in Farnham, she went on to do a Masters at the Royal College of Art.

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Melina draws inspiration from her rich Greek heritage & creates unique works that reflect her love for the raw and immediate way ancient artefacts of the Mediterranean carry patterns, animals and plants. Fundamental to her style are her processes of hand building and experimentation with glazes. She is driven by a curiosity to incorporate unusual colours and textures and collects soil, ash and rocks to make her own glazes. Click to see her work

She has collaborated with large architectural practices to create ceramic installations and created an exclusive collection for shops in the British Museum and Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. Alongside her practice as a maker, Melina has taught ceramics at St Ann’s psychiatric hospital and Pentonville men's prison.