A women’s pottery retreat in Tuscany, Italy
Pottery & Peace
Five days of wheel throwing, porcelain and gold lustre with ceramic artist Elizabeth Evans. 5–9 April 2027, for twelve women
- Dates
- 5–9 April 2027
- Where
- The Transmission School, near Volterra, Tuscany
- Length
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Group
- 12 women, beginners welcome
- Retreat fee
- €495, €300 deposit
What is Pottery & Peace?
Pottery & Peace is a five-day creative retreat for women at The Transmission School, near Volterra in the Tuscan countryside, from 5 to 9 April 2027. Ceramic artist Elizabeth Evans teaches the whole ceramic process, from your first centred clay to finished, fired pieces, alongside morning yoga or Qigong, candlelit Yoga Nidra and garden-to-table meals by Pushpa.
No pottery experience is needed and you are very welcome to come on your own. Everything you make is finished during the retreat, including a hand-shaped porcelain tea cup with a real gold lustre rim, so it comes home with you.
What will I learn and make?
Elizabeth guides you through every stage herself, from your first touch of clay to the final firing. There is no pressure to be perfect.
Preparing and understanding clay
Centring, opening and pulling on the wheel
Throwing cups, bowls and small vessels
Trimming and refining your pieces
Hand-building individual forms
Botanical printing with garden flowers
Glazing, colour and ceramic finishes
Drying and firing, start to finish
A cup of love
The heart of the retreat: your own delicate porcelain tea cup, shaped by hand and pressed with wild flowers from the Tuscan garden, then finished with a real gold lustre rim in a special third firing. No two cups will be alike.
- Shape fine porcelain cups on the wheel
- Press flowers and leaves into the surface
- Bisque fire, glaze and glaze fire
- Paint the gold lustre rim for a third firing
- Pour the first tea at our closing tea ceremony
What does a day look like?
Morning
Awaken
Gentle yoga or Qigong, breakfast, and barefoot time in the garden.
Midday
Gather and nourish
Long lunches of seasonal garden produce, cooked by Pushpa.
Afternoon
Flow and create
Flower gathering, then the wheel and porcelain. The pool is there when you need it.
Evening
Connect and restore
Shared dinners, sharing circles, candlelit Yoga Nidra in the temple and stars.
Where will we stay?
Shared and private rooms, booked with the venue
Swimming pool, gardens and quiet places to read
A dedicated pottery space and a temple for evening practice
Breakfast, lunch and dinner from garden and local produce
The Transmission School sits in the Tuscan countryside near Volterra, surrounded by gardens and open sky. Wake to birdsong, wander barefoot, watch the sun set over the hills and the stars come out. Chiara looks after the rooms and Pushpa cooks seasonal meals from the garden each day.
What does it cost?
€495
per person
Includes five days of personal tuition with Elizabeth, all clay and materials, wheel throwing, hand-building, porcelain tea cups, botanical printing, glazing, every firing and the gold lustre finish. Also morning yoga or Qigong, oil anointments, Yoga Nidra, sharing circles and the tea ceremony.
Accommodation and meals are booked and paid separately with The Transmission School. Not included: travel, transfers and travel insurance.
Two ways to pay
- Reserve with a deposit€300 The €195 balance is charged automatically EDIT: when, e.g. one month later.
- Pay in full€495
Room and meals are booked with The Transmission School: shared room from EDIT: €X, private from EDIT: €X for four nights with meals. Tell us your preference when you reserve.
Reserve your placeYou choose deposit or full payment at checkout. Paying by deposit needs a free customer account, created in one step at checkout. Read the booking and cancellation terms. Questions first? Email Elizabeth.