Starting with Clay: A Journey Through Ceramics

There’s something special about working with clay for the first time. It’s a material that invites us to slow down, pay attention, and learn through our hands.

At Cerdeira, our Introductory Ceramics Course, taught by Renato Costa e Silva and Kerstin Thomas, is an invitation to discover this process from start to finish.

Over the course of six days, participants explore the fundamentals of ceramics, from preparing and selecting the right clay to modeling, hand-building, sculpting, and working on the potter’s wheel. Along the way, they discover different techniques, experiment with tools, and learn how glazing and firing transform the pieces they create.

But learning ceramics isn’t just about technique. It’s also about observation, experimentation, and giving yourself time to understand the material.

In the studio, surrounded by the tranquil landscape of the Serra da Lousã, there’s room for both focused work and conversation, as well as moments of silence and inspiration. Participants can also explore our small library specializing in ceramics and deepen their knowledge beyond the workbench.

The week ends at the kiln, where the pieces undergo their final transformation. And then comes the best part: taking home something you made with your own hands.

Six days, countless possibilities, and a first step—or perhaps not—into the world of ceramics.