Clay, Culture, Creativity: Explore Tuscany with La Meridiana’s 2026 Workshops
Those traveling through the rolling hills of Tuscany can find a restored 18th-century farmhouse that accommodates a lively ceramics community, located close to the town of Certaldo. Large windows, shaded by the leaves of climbing plants, filter the sunlight entering the studios, where groups of excited students learn the secrets of working with clay. For more than forty years, La Meridiana International School of Ceramics has been the meeting place of artists and students from all around the world, offering hands-on courses in a wide variety of ceramic techniques, including throwing, sculpture, glazing, jewellery, and atmospheric firing.
La Meridiana grew from the vision of Pietro Maddalena, supported by Giuliana Rodolfi and a team of dedicated collaborators. After many years of education and work in England, Pietro returned to Italy with the vision to introduce stoneware to a country dominated by terracotta and majolica. Through tireless work, he transformed an old Tuscan farmhouse into a thriving ceramics school, with multiple studios, beautiful gardens, and a bustling international community.
The Facilities
The school has three large studios, including an outdoor studio next to the wood kiln area, where participants can work surrounded by nature, being immersed in the Tuscan landscape. Each studio, designed by the craftsman Pietro, with the makers’ needs in mind, can be fully adapted to host courses in hand-building, wheel-throwing, and surface decoration. The courses at La Meridiana include many different firing methods and temperatures: students have access to wood, gas, raku and electric kilns.
2026 Programme Highlights
Just as in previous years, in 2026 La Meridiana offers workshops all year round, for every level. Among other things, students can explore wheel-throwing, hand-building, glazing, sculpture, jewelry, and firing techniques. Workshops include short masterclasses focused on a specific technique and in-depth professional programs, such as the three-month “On Centre,” which allow participants to experiment, develop their skills, and refine their personal vision. In 2026, we welcome many beloved returning instructors and also artists visiting La Meridiana for the first time. Browse a selection of courses below! For reading the complete 2026 programme visit www.lameridiana.fi.it
2026 course highlights at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics
• The Blossom Session by Luca Tripaldi – Make jewelry in porcelain, finished with goldsmithing elements
• Evocative by Simon Levin – Evoke your voice: Throwing and hand-building techniques and wood-firing for expression
• The Joy of Hand-building by Hayne Bayless – Explore unconventional forming methods and unusual approaches to surface decoration
• Nerikomi by Barbara Grittings – Traditional and contemporary approaches to colour and pattern in the clay body
• Porcelain and the Art of the Wheel by John Colbeck & Franco Rampi – Throwing, finishing and glazing porcelain vessels with two exceptional educators
• Breaking the Mould by Monika Patusynska – Discover creative and experimental methods for slipcasting with porcelain
• Form and Surface by Jose Mariscal – Crystalline glazes and texture: Throwing and glaze formulation
• Glaze Course by Eve Carrobourg – Understand the glaze materials and glazes and develop your own personal palette
• Marbled and Textured Containers by Marc Leuthold – Inventive methods for making and embellishing objects
• The Layered Figure by Adrian Arleo – Coil-building and developing surface imagery through drawing, carving and texturing
• Concepts of Decorative Glazing by Donna Polseno – Layering, resist and brushwork to create rich and painterly surfaces
Teaching Philosophy and Learning Experience
At La Meridiana, instructors are internationally recognized artists and potters carefully selected to explain complex techniques in an accessible manner and encourage individual artistic development. Demonstrations and hands-on practice focus on understanding not just “What” to do, but also “How” and “Why”. Working in small groups allows personalised instruction but also helps connect with fellow group members. Students live nearby the school immersed in the beautiful countryside, which can provide further influence and inspiration during the courses. On all working days, delicious Tuscan meals are prepared on-site, using seasonal ingredients. The region offers numerous options for exploring Italy’s rich historic and cultural heritage, with Siena, Florence, Volterra, and San Gimignano just a short drive away.
With over forty years of history, La Meridiana combines quality education with a welcoming international community in a stunning Tuscan setting. Our students often describe their time spent studying at La Meridiana as a transformative experience. Beyond the technical skills gained, friendships also form that last long after the courses end, crafting a global network of passionate makers.
Don’t miss out on our 2026 programme—explore La Meridiana’s complete list of courses by visiting our website or see daily updates on life at the ceramic centre by following @meridianapotteryschool on social media.
