There is a historic Tuscan farmhouse near the town of Certaldo, Italy that has become a meeting point for ceramic artists from across the world. Tucked away among the hills of Tuscany, La Meridiana International School of Ceramics is a place where people have been coming together for more than forty years to learn and teach ceramics. Today, La Meridiana offers courses that range from wheel-throwing and handbuilding to sculpture, surface decoration, jewellery and alternative firing techniques.
Life at the ceramic centre
At La Meridiana, three spacious studios accommodate different approaches to making. The facilities, developed with the needs of ceramic artists in mind, can be adapted for throwing, handbuilding and surface work. Wood, gas, raku and electric kilns offer an unlimited range of opportunities for finishing pieces.
Learning however means more than following a demonstration or mastering a particular technique. Internationally recognized artists and potters are carefully selected by La Meridiana not only to guide participants through practical processes and explain complex techniques in an accessible manner; they also encourage individual artistic development and experimentation. Small groups make room for personal guidance, shared discoveries and conversations between people who might otherwise never meet.
On working days, delicious meals prepared on-site with seasonal ingredients bring students together around the table. Participants stay directly at La Meridiana or just a short walk away, contributing to a complete immersion into a routine focusing on making, learning and reflecting.
From a Tuscan Farmhouse to an International Ceramic Community
La Meridiana began with a clear ambition: After years spent in England, Pietro Maddalena returned to Italy hoping to broaden the country’s ceramic landscape by introducing stoneware alongside its established traditions of terracotta and majolica. With Giuliana Rodolfi and a committed team of collaborators, he gradually transformed an old farmhouse into a school with dedicated studios, gardens and space for an international community to grow. Today, La Meridiana`s character is shaped as much by its location as by its teaching programme. Beyond the school, Tuscany offers a rich cultural landscape to explore, from the art and architecture of Florence and Siena to the historic streets of Volterra and San Gimignano.
2027 Programme Highlights
In 2027, just like in the past, La Meridiana offers ceramic courses from beginner to advanced level, all year-round. Our workshops cover a wide range of topics including wheel-throwing, sculpture, handbuilding and jewellery making. Students can learn about diverse firing techniques including wood- soda- and smoke- firing. From one-week-long masterclasses to intensive professional programs, such as the three-month “On Centre” or the two-month “On Centre Fall”, our course calendar offers a wide selection of exciting possibilities to everyone. Discover our complete 2027 programme by visiting www.lameridiana.fi.it and browse a selection of courses below.
2027 course highlights at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics:
Isabella Fazzo – Freedom and Structure in the Creative Process
2027-2028 | Focus on ongoing, independent artistic development over the course of a full year
Luca Tripaldi – Precious Surfaces and Decors
May 9 – 15, 2027 | Create unique, luxurious surfaces and decorative effects, ideal for jewellery and beyond
Margaret Bohls – Expressive Handbuilt Pottery
May 16 – 29, 2027 | Develop a personal vocabulary for shaping and finishing functional forms
Zsófia Földvári – Field Notes
May 30 – June 12, 2027 | Glazing and resist techniques for wheel-thrown pottery
Brandi Lee Cooper – Casting the Natural World
June 20 – 26, 2027 | Explore paperclay handbuilding techniques and slip casting for sculptural work
Alistair Danhieux – Form & Flow
July 11 – 17, 2027 | Coil building and slip decoration to create expressive shapes
Jason Walker – Drawing on Clay
July 11 – 24, 2027 | Detailed graphic brushwork decoration on green- and bisqueware
Leah Leitson – Fluid Form: Exploring Porcelain
August 8 – 21, 2027 | Throwing and altering porcelain to capture movement and build confidence
Shikha Joshi – From Earth to Form
August 15 – 28, 2027 | Creating rustic pots in an electric kiln using unconventional handbuilding and glazing techniques
La Meridiana brings together concentrated studio practice, contact with experienced artists and the opportunity to learn alongside an international group of fellow makers. The exchange often continues beyond the working hours, as participants share ideas, meals and experiences in an environment that encourages curiosity and experimentation. For many, the relationships formed during their stay become an enduring part of the experience.
Discover all the courses at www.lameridiana.fi.it and follow @meridianapotteryschool for daily updates on life at the ceramic centre.
