20-31 JULY 2027
Stories Beneath the Surface: Sgraffito and Storytelling on Clay
WITH CLARA HOLT
In this course, students will explore and practice sgraffito, a versatile ceramic decoration technique suitable for both flat surfaces and wheel-thrown forms.
Sgraffito works by layering slip over the clay and then carefully carving or scratching the surface to reveal the clay color beneath. The resulting contrast can create anything from simple geometric lines to complex, illustrative designs. With a long history spanning many cultures, sgraffito offers endless possibilities for creative expression.
The course combines theoretical insights with demonstrations and extensive hands-on work, including a detailed look at the tools and materials available for different sgraffito techniques and an overview of Clara’s personal creative approach, alongside examples of sgraffito from other artists and traditions.
Students will have the opportunity to create their own pieces and forms for the decoration process, on the potter’s wheel or by hand-building techniques. Technical assistance is provided by the staff for those who might need help
By the end of the course, students will have gained both technical mastery and a deeper understanding of how to develop personal, meaningful designs through sgraffito, through exercises and experimentation.
Clara Holt brings to life myths, legends, folklore, and personal narratives drawn from both real and imagined worlds. Her creations are rich with symbols that explore the hidden and irrational aspects of human nature, blending tradition and subconscious inspiration.
Clara’s journey began with Greek mythology, which has long been the focus of her studies and a deep personal passion. Over the years, through travel and international artist residencies, she has expanded her exploration to the myths, stories, and cultural traditions of diverse places such as Iceland, South Africa, and Bali, continually enriching her visual language and creative vocabulary. Her illustrations are never merely decorative: they become an integral part of each piece, leaving space for multiple interpretations. Her ongoing pursuit is the harmonious balance between form, technique, materials, and imagery, making every work a thoughtful synthesis of craft and narrative.
Clara Holt is an Italian artist, born in 1987 in Pescara. She has a solid background in classical studies and graduated in neuroscience before discovering her interest in ceramics, specifically ceramic decoration, as well as printmaking and etching. She is the co-founder of Fuoco Blu, a ceramics studio in Milan that functions as a collaborative space where she teaches decoration techniques and combines commissioned projects with personal creations.
https://www.instagram.com/clara.holt.ceramics/
COURSE DETAILS
PROGRAM:
• Practical sgraffito exercises on test tiles and small forms, experimenting with various materials and effects. This includes working with commercial underglazes, colored slips, and testing on different clay bodies.
• Hands-on: producing your own tumblers, mugs, and vessels for decorating; assistance is available for those who are not comfortable with hand-building or throwing techniques
•Developing your story with a focus on the full creative process: sourcing inspiration, developing visual references, translating ideas into drawn designs, and selecting the appropriate techniques and materials to achieve a balanced and expressive result.
•As Sgraffito decoration is a beautiful but time-consuming process, you can expect working, for example, on ten tiles, two smaller pieces and two larger vessels (30 cm).
SCHEDULE:
July 20th
3:00 pm: Accommodation and check-in of participants
5:00 pm: Reception at the Atelier and presentation of the group and trainers
7:00 pm: Welcome dinner at Casa das Artes
July 21st to July 29th
Course from 10 am to 6 pm, with a two-hour lunch break (1pm to 3pm)
The studio is open from 6 pm to 8 pm.
July 30th
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: March 19th, 2027
Special discount for newsletter subscribers available for early bird registrations by November 3rd, 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;
Welcome dinner on the first day of the course;
Lunch during the course, from 20th to 28th May;
All the materials needed for the course;
Firings in the Electric Kiln
⚠️ IMPORTANT!
Leave extra space in your luggage!
We also recommend bringing extra space in your luggage to take your pieces home at the end of the course.
Shipping options available are not ideal or cost-effective for ceramics – personal transport is strongly recommended.
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE:
Course fee does not include accommodation
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.
GALLERY
