Organic Forms in Clay, using Nature as Inspiration Ceramic workshop with Jinny Hargrave - April 26th May 9th 2015 Day Morning Evening April 26 8pm Opening dinner hosted by La Meridiana Sunday April 27 Monday Introduction to the studio and studio rules 8:30 Welcome breakfast 2 pm shuttle to Certaldo to the supermarket for groceries for your daily needs Dinner on own April 28 Tuesday 6pm clean space, close studio April 29 Wed April 30 Thurs May 1 Friday May 2 Saturday May 3 Sunday May 4 Monday May 5 Tuesday May 6 Wed May 7 Thurs May 8 Friday May 9 Saturday Work Work Studio closed Finish work Bisq Firing Glazing and packing Firing Open kiln, clean workspace, pack. Departure Studio open late ( 10:00 pm) Pizza delivery on demand 5 pm clean space, close studio 5:30 Wine tasting and light dinner in Barberino. This is a pleasant introduction to many aspects of Tuscan live style! Studio open late ( 10:00 pm) Pizza delivery on demand Studio open. Independent work or free day Evening in Certaldo alto, dinner. Free day. Day trip to Florence or just relax, bike or hike. 6pm clean space, close studio Grocery shopping Day trip to Siena by train. A guide will give insight into the distinguished art of this marvelous town. 4 pm: Visit to Terry Davies, local potter www.terrydavies.it 5.30 pm optional Cooking lesson. 70, including cook book. Day trip: Traditional terra cotta makers in Impruneta and Chianti country side with Greve. 4 pm Visit to San Gimignano. See studio of Franco Balducci www.francobalducci.com 8 pm Closing dinner Shuttle to Certaldo train station
Cost The total cost of the course is 2100 Euro; Spouses are welcome. They are entitled to everything offered by La Meridiana as in the agreement except what pertains workshop and ceramic activities. The cost for a non- clay participant is 1470 Euro. Single price supplement: 280 Euros Price includes Tuition All materials and firings Lodging in double room (single room on request, add 280 Euro) All lunches on the working days Coffee breaks Welcome dinner, Farwell dinner Field trips to Certaldo, S. Gimignano, Siena, Volterra Wine tasting with light dinner Ground transportation while at La Meridiana Not Included Airfare Insurance Booking A booking fee of 400 Euro is requested at booking. For booking procedure, please contact info@lameridiana.fi.it Balance within two month before the beginning of the course Travel Complete travel information will be given after sign up. Meridiana will provide transportation to and from the train station for those taking the train from Pisa or Florence, as well as ground transportation during the workshop. DETAILS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME The workshop is hosted by La Meridiana. The school is stet in a restored farmhouse of the 18 th century, located atop a hill and boasts glorious views of the hills and farmlands, just in between Sienna, Florence and San Gimignano, in the land of Etruscan and Roman culture, medieval architecture and renaissance splendor. The close by little town of Certaldo has retained its authenticity and medieval essence. The Chianti region lies just to the east. Pisa and Florence international airports are well served from the major European cities and hubs. Milan and Rome are both easily accessible by train or car.
Accommodation is in the apartments of a Tuscan farmhouse, which has been restored to simple comfort. Double room with shared bathroom and cooking facilities. Towels and Linen is furnished. It is a lovely 10- minute walk from the studio. The welcome dinner at the beginning of the workshop is the opportunity to get to know your fellow group members and to get a first insight in Tuscany s delightful cusine. A trip to the local grocery store always proves to be inspiring for the participants. There is the possibility to prepare your own breakfast and evening meals in the kitchen of the lodgings and share good camaraderie with your fellow students or local restaurants and pizzerias are good options for exploring the Tuscan gastronomy in the evenings. At the wine tasting we can sample the world-renowned wines of the area and visit the cellars or vineyards where they are produced. Besides wines we will also get the chance to taste and purchase the local extravergin olive oil, produced in small quantities. The group will have the benefit of an sommelier to explain the fundamentals of wine and olive oil tasting. Recently Tuscany has been called chocolate valley; we will make sure to check if this title is deserved. Food - A full Tuscan gourmet lunch on all working days is prepared by the La Meridiana chef. We are right in the production area of one of the most famous and renowned wines in the world, Chianti, and we will take advantage of that, drinking our fine wine lunch. There will be a coffee break with tea, coffee and biscotti (Italian cookies) each morning and afternoon Several in class may want to host a dinner during the week or a pot luck. Certaldo alto, atop of a hill is the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, author of the ironic masterpiece Decamerone. It s medieval atmosphere is still intact. Siena. One of Italy s most enchanting cities. Its profusion of churches and small museums harbor a wealth of artwork, though equally your day can be effectively filled by simply wandering the snarled lanes of the historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
San Gimignano. The medieval town is a short drive from La Meridiana. Known for its gelato as well as its stunning towers, the Medieval Manhattan is a beautiful setting in which to eat, shop, relax, and explore. Free day. There will be one free day for students to relax, hike, bike or sign up to an optional field trip to Florence or Pisa. Impruneta A historical ceramic town, sitting on top of the best terracotta clay of Tuscany. The thousands of bricks needed to build Brunelleschi s duomo have been produced here, also the big bellied olive oil terra cotta jars and flower pots. We will visit a historical production place. Chianti The word conjures up gentle hills clad with vineyards and glasses brimming with good wine. On a day trip we will enjoy the beauty and bounty of the heartland of the Chianti region. Studio Studio open for working 8am-8pm with two late nights. There will be the possibility visits to studio artists who live in the near surroundings. For information about travel and logistics you may contact La Meridiana at: info@lameridiana.fi.it For information about the workshop contents you may contact Jinny Hargrave at claystarr1615@aol.com La Meridiana Loc. Bagnano, 135 50052 Certaldo (Firenze) Italy info@lameridiana.fi.it - www.lameridiana.fi.it Tel & Fax: +39 377 2709500