KWAK kYUNGATE TAE

Wheel throwing

27 jULY- 1 August 2027

Coming Soon

Five days of pottery, creativity and inspiration in the Italian countryside.

Imagine five days immersed in the world of ceramics, surrounded by nature, beautiful landscapes and the peaceful rhythm of the Italian countryside. A time to step away from everyday routines, reconnect with your creativity and dedicate yourself entirely to the pleasure of making with clay.

Join us at Terracotta Studio for a special five-day pottery experience with Kwak Kyungtae, an internationally recognised Korean ceramic artist and master of wheel throwing and traditional Onggi pottery.

Set among flowers, greenery and the quiet beauty of the countryside near Bergamo, Terracotta Studio offers a welcoming and inspiring environment where learning, creativity and the joy of sharing come together. Alongside an exceptional programme of ceramic tuition, you will enjoy delicious Italian food, warm hospitality and the relaxed atmosphere of country living.

Throughout the workshop, Kwak and his team will share their knowledge, experience and artistic vision through demonstrations, hands-on practice and individual guidance. Participants will have the opportunity to explore traditional Korean ceramic techniques, develop their wheel-throwing abilities, experiment with form and discover new ways of approaching clay.

Whether you are an experienced potter looking to refine your skills, an enthusiastic maker eager to challenge yourself, or simply someone wishing to explore new creative possibilities, this workshop offers something truly special.

More than just a pottery course, it is an opportunity to exchange ideas, meet like-minded people, find inspiration in a different ceramic tradition and enjoy five memorable days dedicated to creativity, craftsmanship and the simple pleasure of making.

THE MASTERCLASS

Throughout the week, Kwak will adapt the program to the group’s experience and progress, working closely with each participant to develop technique, precision and confidence.

Wheel Throwing Masterclass

This 5 day masterclass offers a taster of traditional Korean wheel throwing techniques. which have been passed down through the generations and remain largely unavailable to western audiences. The course will teach the full lifecycle of throwing including:

❖ Spiral wedging, centering, throwing off the hump,

❖ Sabal (teabowl) making, ,

❖ trimming and advanced forms Korean techniques.

❖ Discuss the history and context of the Korean approach to clay sourcing, storage and preparation.

❖ learning the technique of buncheong (분청).

Teacher Kwak is accompanied by two Teaching Assistants for a class size of 15, making for a very supportive student-teacher ratio.

A special highlight will be the opportunity to have your own set of 4 handcrafted wheel tools from Kwak. beside discuss traditional glaze and firing methods for this type of ware.

These set of tools will give you a tangible memory of the techniques explored during the workshop.)

The program remains flexible, allowing time to revisit techniques, tackle individual challenges and explore more advanced forms as the group develops.

MEET YOUR TEACHER

Kwak Kyungtae

An acclaimed South Korean ceramic artist and master of traditional Onggi pottery, Kwak Kyungtae is known for a distinctive artistic vision that beautifully bridges the rich heritage of Korean ceramics with contemporary expression.

Based in Icheon, South Korea, one of the country's most renowned ceramic centres, Kwak has dedicated decades to exploring, mastering and reinterpreting traditional Korean techniques, particularly Onggi and Buncheong. His work is recognised for its impressive large-scale vessels, expressive forms and spontaneous brushwork. Combining the strength and simplicity of traditional pottery with gestural decoration and an intuitive approach to making, he celebrates the natural character of clay, embracing asymmetry, texture and the beauty of imperfection. His practice reflects a profound understanding of the material and an exceptional sensitivity to the relationship between the hands, the clay and the making process.

His distinguished career includes receiving the Grand Prize at the 2009 Ulsan Onggi Expo. He has exhibited internationally across Asia, Europe and the United States, including at NCECA in Tampa, Flow Gallery in London, and galleries in New York and San Francisco. His works are also represented in important institutional collections, including the Yeongam Pottery Museum and the Korean Cultural Center in New Caledonia.

With undergraduate and postgraduate studies in ceramics at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Kwak has combined his artistic practice with teaching, sharing his knowledge at Korean universities and through international workshops and demonstrations. As a teacher, he offers students a rare opportunity to learn not only the technical knowledge accumulated over decades of practice, but also the philosophy, sensitivity and intuition that shape his approach to ceramics.

In this special masterclass, participants will have the opportunity to discover his approach to traditional Onggi pottery, explore the possibilities of large-scale wheel throwing and gain insight into his expressive surface decoration and distinctive brushwork. Through demonstrations, practical guidance and personal insights, Kwak will encourage students to challenge their limits, develop a deeper relationship with clay and explore new possibilities in form, movement and expression.

More than a technical learning experience, this workshop is an invitation to immerse yourself in Korean ceramic culture, learn from a master craftsman whose work continues to evolve, and find fresh inspiration to develop your own artistic language.

A WEEK AT Terracotta STUDIO

THE STUDIO

Our workshops are about more than pottery. They are an invitation to slow down, exchange ideas, discover new skills and enjoy a week surrounded by nature, food and creativity.

A typical workshop day runs from 10:00 am to 17:30 pm.

Each day includes:

  • Hands-on pottery sessions and demonstrations.

  • A freshly prepared lunch shared at the farm.

  • An Italian aperitivo, a drink or gelato to close the day.

  • Daily transport between the hotel and studio.

There will be time to enjoy the surrounding area, with optional trips to Bergamo, Milan or Lake Garda and more for those who would like to explore beyond the studio.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Five days of teaching and demonstrations.

  • Clay and workshop materials, tools, etc

  • A gift of set of 7 handcrafted onggi tools per student .

  • Freshly prepared lunches every workshop day.

  • A goodbye brunch at the farm.

  • Daily Italian aperitivo, drinks or gelato.

  • A Last day flower workshop.

  • Daily hotel–studio transfers.

  • Packing materials to take your tools home safely.

ACCOMMODATION

five nights in a private room at Hotel Marelet, just five minutes from the studio.

Let us know so we book for you.

Accommodation: €550 per person.

Your room is reserved from the afternoon before the workshop begins, with checkout on the final day. Daily transfers to and from the farm are included.

If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, you are welcome to arrange additional nights directly with your chosen accommodation.

STUDIO LOCATION

Giulietta&Terracotta Studio — Flower Farm & Pottery Studio

Via Castolda 51
24047 Treviglio, Bergamo, Italy

Located in the countryside near Bergamo, our studio offers a welcoming setting where ceramics, flowers, food and nature come together.

Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice. Optional excursions and train tickets are arranged separately.

How to reach Terracotta Studio

Terracotta Studio is easily accessible from the main airports in the Milan and Bergamo area. Guests arriving at Bergamo Airport can either take a bus to Bergamo Train Station and then a train to Treviglio, or make use of our dedicated airport transfer service. On the first and last days of the workshop, we will provide transportation between Bergamo Airport and the studio, with a scheduled departures at 15:00.

Guests arriving at Milan Malpensa Airport can take a train to Milano Centrale and then continue to Treviglio Station. From Milan Linate Airport, take Metro Line M4 to Milano Forlanini Station, followed by a train to Treviglio.

For all train journeys, please make sure to get off at Treviglio Station, where we will arrange your pick-up and transfer to the studio. If you are arriving by train, please inform us of your expected arrival time at least one day in advance, so we can coordinate your transfer.

WORKSHOP Topics

Teacher Kwak will

  • History and context of the Korean approach to clay sourcing, storage and preparation 

  • Spiral wedging (Gomak-milgi) and closing the spiral into a cylindrical form for more efficient centering 

  • Fundamentals of centering a large mass of clay for throwing off the hump, with emphasis on relaxing the clay for better clay response 

  • Exploration of sabal (teabowl) making, with a breakdown of steps to better understand each phase of the making process and finger placements 

  • Korean style trimming demo using handmade tools and understanding the harmonic relationship between throwing and trimming in relation to the final form 

  • Developing a more discerning “eye” for line and form by separating the structural and shaping phases of throwing 

  • Demo of cylinders, plates, and teapots off the hump with advanced techniques 

  • Large sabal (bowl), hangari (Jars), dalhangari (Moon Jar, 2 piece joining technique) 

  • Buncheong decorating techniques: Dipping Buncheong and Brushing Buncheong 

  • Discussion on developing a ‘practice’ on your own and progression outline for self-study

City Tours

City Tours

Bergamo Old Town

Milan

Lake Garda / Sirmione

BOOK YOUR PLACE

15 places only. Five days of pottery, Korean Onggi and Italian countryside living.

An opportunity to learn from a Korean Onggi master, develop your ceramic practice and become part of a creative community in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

If you have been looking for a workshop that combines serious ceramic learning with a memorable experience in Italy, we would love to welcome you.

Questions and bookings:
info@daterracotta.com

Cancellation policy: More than 90 days before the workshop: full refund or transfer to a later workshop, subject to availability in the same year or following years. Between 31 and 90 days: 50% refund . Within 30 days: non-refundable. If the organizers cancel, a full refund will be provided. Accommodation is subject to the hotel’s cancellation terms.