22 - 24 JANUARY
2027
Kiln Building workshop
WITH RENATO COSTA E SILVA AND KERSTIN THOMAS
Would you like to try your hand at ceramics but don’t know how or where to fire your pieces? This is a major hurdle for many ceramicists, who find themselves forced to make a considerable investment to bring their ceramic projects to life. But there are alternatives!
In the Kiln Building workshop, we will build small gas or wood-fired kilns where we can fire our pieces with the utmost care.
On the first day, we will make ceramic pieces using different clays that are best suited for firing in rudimentary kilns. We will learn how the kilns work so that we can then fire our pieces safely.
At the end of the third day, we can remove our ceramic pieces from the kiln, draw conclusions about the firing processes, and, of course, take them home.
Renato Costa e Silva, a ceramist and sculptor, has built up an extensive portfolio over 40 years of professional practice, not only in the field of ceramics but also in large-scale sculpture for public spaces using a variety of materials. A native of Angra do Heroísmo, he lives and works in his studio in Angra do Heroísmo and in Cerdeira. He has conducted an intensive study of clays and ceramic materials and has extensive experience in preparing ceramic slurries and glazes; over the years, he has carried out hundreds of wood-fired ceramic firings.
Kerstin Thomas, a sculptor, studied Fine Arts and Woodcarving/Sculpture in Germany, her country of origin. Once in Portugal, she earned a degree in Portuguese Language and Culture from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Coimbra and also took courses in Social Sciences. With a preference for native woods, she creates work inspired by rural life and the expressiveness of the human face, among other themes. The construction of the Smoke-Free Kiln for high-temperature ceramic firing sparked her interest in ceramics as a medium of expression. As a co-founder of the Cerdeira Home for Creativity project, she currently balances her artistic work with her role as coordinator of the project’s Artistic Program.
course details
PROGRAM:
January 22th
From 3 pm until 9 pm: Check-in of participants
January 23rd and 24th
Course from 10 am to 6 pm*, with a two-hour lunch break.
January 25th
Until 11 am: check-out from accommodation
Want to know more? Ask us for the full program at artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com ✨
CONDITIONS:
Deadline for enrollment: December 22nd, 2026.
Special discount for members of our community available for early bird registrations by the 14th of September, 2026.
The course fee includes:
Integration in a small group of participants (máx. 10 people).
Training 5-6 hours a day, speaking in English and Portuguese.
Lunch during the course, from 22nd to 24th January.
All the materials needed for the course.
IMPORTANT!
For safety reasons during the ceramic firing, we ask you to bring footwear that protects the toes, such as sneakers/shoes/boots. We also ask to avoid clothing with synthetic fibers, opting for natural fibers such as 100% cotton.
We also recommend bringing extra space in your luggage to take your pieces home at the end of the course. The available shipping options are not the most suitable or cost-effective for transporting ceramics, so personal transport is recommended.
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE:
Course participants can rent a Schist House located in Cerdeira. (you can check them out at https://www.cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com/accommodation#houses)
All course participants will benefit from a 50% discount on the price of each Schist House during the course days. This rate is not cumulative with other discounts or promotions.
Please note that all accommodation options have limited availability and will be booked according to the order of registration and payment. For more information on accommodation, contact reservations@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
ENROLLMENTS AND MORE INFO:
artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
+351 913 989 281*
*(call to national mobile network)
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration, paying the correspondent transfer fees. Following the EU consumer protection legislation, payments are not refunded past 14 days of registration. The payment will be fully reimbursed if the training cannot be held because of insufficient students.
Suppose the training is canceled by Cerdeira - Home For Creativity for reasons of significant force such as a pandemic, civil disorder, a natural catastrophe, medical or family issues of the teacher, and others beyond our control. In that case, Cerdeira will offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years.
PAYMENT INSTALLMENT OPTIONS
You can pay for the course in up to 5 monthly installments, depending on the course. Payments are automatically deducted from your chosen payment method starting from the date you submit your registration form. Please be aware that additional costs for this service apply, depending on the selected installment plan. At checkout, after selecting your preferred option, make sure to review the total amount to be paid before completing your registration. Please note that if installment payments are not fulfilled within the established timeframe, your registration will be canceled without a refund of the amounts already paid.
If you have any questions, contact us at artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
PHOTOS
