The Dragon Ceramic studio - Vallabrix, Gard, France
Raku Pottery & Sculptural Ceramics Courses

These courses will appeal to potters and would-be potters who would like a chance to combine intensive studio work in a delightful setting with the opportunity to explore a particularly interesting area of southern France.

The focus of the courses is on assisting you to formulate your own projects, whether pottery or sculpture, and on the hand-building techniques appropriate to realizing them. This means that you work at your own level, and beginners are welcome. Groups are small (never more than 6 on the residential courses) and the atmosphere relaxed.

The courses culminate in the raku firing of your pieces – always a spectacular event for those who have never experienced a raku firing. Those who are interested will also have the chance to explore Naked Raku or smoke firing.

In addition to those coming from Britain and France, our courses have attracted participants from Ireland, Italy, Russia, Hungary, Venezuela, Canada, USA, South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore.

THE LOCALITY

The studio is a roomy vaulted space in a walled garden below a traditional stone house, and with an additional courtyard shaded by a large fig tree. All these spaces are available to work in. It is in the centre of Vallabrix, an old agricultural village surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves. Most of this land is unfenced offering a variety of walks.

Nearby is Uzès, a very attractive hilltop town with a fine arcaded market square; also St.Quentin-la-Poterie, a village with a long history of ceramic production, a museum of Mediterranean pottery and an excellent gallery specializing in contemporary European ceramics. Around 20 studio potters are currently living there, and their studios or showrooms are open to visit. The area is also rich in Roman remains, with the Pont du Gard around 20 minutes away. Several interesting excursions are offered in the programme for the residential courses, allowing time for independent exploration, and the option of a dip in the river for those who fancy it.

CATERING

Our cuisine is based on fresh local market produce, with excellent local cheeses and wines. Special diets are catered for (just let us know when you book). As is local practice, the main meal of the day is a substantial lunch and we make this a relaxed and convivial occasion. Most prefer to eat lightly in the evening and, because of this, we provide self-catering options.

ACCOMMODATION

A choice of rooms is available on site and in the village.
For those coming on the residential courses without transport of their own it is essential to stay close to the studio, and we will take charge of booking your room, in consultation with you.
Rates normally 25-50€ per night in private houses, up to around 90€ in a choice of two attractive and well-appointed chambres d’hôtes in the village.

For those on a more limited budget, a cheaper option is available in a cool and comfortable (but less private) space next to the studio – contact us for details.

Non-participating partners also welcome.

For those who have their own transport, there is additionally a wide choice of Chambres d’Hôtes available locally at St.Quentin-la-Poterie and St.Siffret, also camping (with pool) at Le Moulin Neuf*** near St.Quentin-la-Poterie.
Contact us for further information.

TRANSPORT

Transport from the UK or elsewhere is not included in the course fee. We can however advise on flights and rail services, and recommend you book in good time to take advantage of the lowest rates.

Avignon is served by Eurostar and the TGV rail service, changing at Lille or Paris, bookable from 90 days in advance. During the summer season Ryanair has daily flights into Nîmes airport from Luton, also several times a week from Liverpool and Brussels. Ryanair fares can be remarkably low if booked ahead. Montpellier, Avignon and Marseille airports also have flights to and from British destinations, served by Ryanair, Flybe, Jet2 and Easyjet.

With the residential courses, pick-up from Nîmes or Avignon is included in the course fee.

If you have extra days to spare before the course starts, we suggest you might allow yourself more time to explore by arriving early and staying in Avignon, Arles or Nîmes, all well worth a longer visit and connected to each other by bus or rail. Pick-up by arrangement.

The courses are organized by Caroline Fawkes and Simon Pugh, who were for many years worked at Central St.Martin's College of Art and Design in London, part of the University of the Arts, London. We taught on (amongst other BA/MA programmes) an innovative 5-year part-time course in Fine Art and Critical Studies. Since then Caroline has developed a ceramics practice while Simon has indulged his passion for cooking, specializing in local produce.