Tom KEMP
Wheel Throwing and BRUSHING art form
13 Sep - 16 sep2027
Coming SoonFour days of pottery, creativity and inspiration in the Italian countryside.
Join us at Terracotta Studio for an immersive pottery experience with Tom Kemp, an internationally recognized ceramic artist and master of wheel throwing and Roman Calligraphy art form.
Set among flowers, nature and the quiet beauty of the countryside near Bergamo, this special workshop brings together expert tuition, hands-on practice, exceptional food and the relaxed atmosphere of Italian country living.
Whether you are looking to refine your existing skills or push your practice in new directions, Tom will guide you through a workshop full of demonstrations, individual guidance and focused exploration.
THE MASTERCLASS
Throughout the week, Tom will adapt the program to the group’s experience and progress, working closely with each participant to develop technique, precision and confidence.
Wheel Throwing and Brush Painting Masterclass
Tom will walk you though his approach to throwing on the wheel, focusing on how to create taller, larger, thinner-walled and lighter vessels while using clay more efficiently. Through demonstrations, practical exercises and individual guidance, students will discover important techniques to improve their control, precision and confidence at the wheel. They will learn to understand the behaviour of clay, refine their movements and overcome common difficulties, exploring how small changes in technique can make a remarkable difference to the final form.
Another important aspect of the masterclass will be the exploration of surfaces and glazing. Tom will teach you how to approach the decoration and finishing of different ceramic forms, encouraging students to think beyond conventional approaches. Through discussions and demonstrations, participants will gain inspiration on how to consider the relationship between clay body, surface, colour, texture and glaze, and how different choices can transform the character of a piece. The emphasis will be on developing an experimental mindset, understanding materials and discovering new possibilities rather than simply following fixed recipes or decorative formulas.
Of course, students will also have the opportunity to explore his distinctive brush calligraphy: the expressive, spontaneous marks that bring his vessels to life. They will discover how movement, rhythm, pressure and gesture can become a visual language, and how decoration can be an extension of the making process itself.
Ultimately, these four days are an invitation to learn from an artist who brings together technical knowledge, artistic curiosity and a deeply personal approach to ceramics. Students will leave not only with new skills and practical knowledge, but also with fresh ideas, greater confidence and inspiration to push their own work further.
MEET YOUR TEACHER
We are delighted to welcome Tom Kemp, an internationally recognised British ceramic artist, to Terracotta Studio for a special pottery workshop in the Italian countryside.
Tom's artistic practice brings together two fascinating worlds: ceramics and traditional calligraphy. Working primarily with porcelain, he is known for his elegant, often large-scale vessels, decorated with expressive brushstrokes inspired by ancient lettering traditions. His work explores the relationship between movement, rhythm and gesture, transforming the act of writing into a unique form of artistic expression.
With a background in traditional calligraphy, Tom discovered a natural connection between the precision of throwing clay and the spontaneous movement of the written mark. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive ceramic language, combining beautifully considered forms with bold, expressive surface decoration.
His work has received international recognition and has been exhibited through leading contemporary craft galleries, finding its way into private collections around the world. Among his notable achievements, Tom was invited to become the first international artist-in-residence in Tobe, Japan, where he explored local ceramic traditions and exchanged knowledge with Japanese makers. He is also the author of a textbook on traditional Roman lettering and regularly shares his knowledge through international workshops and teaching.
During this special workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discover Tom's creative approach, exploring the relationship between form, surface and movement. Through demonstrations, hands-on practice and individual guidance, he will encourage participants to experiment, develop their own visual language and discover new possibilities in their ceramic practice.
We look forward to welcoming Tom to Italy for an inspiring experience of pottery, creativity and shared moments at Terracotta Studio.
the workshop 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 09:30 am to 16:00 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
Four days of teaching and demonstrations.
Clay and workshop materials, tools, etc
A gift of set of 3 of Tom’s Brushes 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
Four nights in a private room at Hotel Marelet, just five minutes from the studio.
Let us know so we book for you.
Accommodation: €440 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 one 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
Over four days, students will be invited to explore the many possibilities of wheel-thrown pottery, surface decoration and expressive brushwork through the distinctive approach of ceramic artist Tom Kemp.
The programme combines technical demonstrations, practical exercises and individual guidance, allowing participants to develop their throwing skills while discovering new ways to bring character and personality to their work.
From creating balanced and refined forms on the wheel to experimenting with coloured slips, brush calligraphy and spontaneous mark-making, each day offers an opportunity to learn new techniques, challenge familiar approaches and explore the relationship between form and surface.
Tom will share his knowledge, creative process and artistic insights, encouraging students to experiment, develop confidence and find inspiration for their own ceramic language.
The following programme outlines the main themes and techniques explored each day:
Day 1 – Throwing taller and larger
Demonstrations of wheel-throwing techniques.
Improving cylinder height and wall thickness.
Working with larger amounts of clay.
Understanding balance, compression and form.
Day 2 – Developing larger forms
Guided throwing practice.
Progressively increasing the amount of clay.
Working with porcelain as an option.
Trimming and refining vessels.
Day 3 – Surface decoration
Introduction to brush calligraphy.
Abstract writing and mark-making.
Coloured slip decoration.
Developing individual surface patterns.
Day 4 – Surface decoration
Introduction to brush calligraphy.
Abstract writing and mark-making.
Coloured slip decoration.
Developing individual surface patterns.
City Tours
City Tours
Bergamo Old Town
Milan
Lake Garda / Sirmione
BOOK YOUR PLACE
15 places only. Four days of pottery, brush painting and Italian countryside living.
An opportunity to learn from Tom, 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.
