Developing and Realizing Thoughts in Clay

Biography

Anastassia is a London-based sculptural ceramic artist and qualified art psychotherapist. She teaches ceramics workshops focused on idea generation, play, and creative experimentation, helping people move through creative blocks and develop their artistic voice.

Her own artwork explores the relationship between clay and her inner world, using the medium to give form to emotions, memories, and ideas that are often difficult to express through words alone.

Anastassia’s work has been exhibited in the UK and internationally, including a solo exhibition at Graphite Gallery, New Orleans, and a duo exhibition with Liza Molnár at ST.ART Gallery, London. Her sculptures are held in private collections worldwide and have been featured in FAD Magazine, Colossal, and used as an example on CBC's The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown.

Course

In this course, artist and art therapist Anastassia Zamaraeva will guide you through a creative process of exploring imagination and symbolism, using these as a springboard for making personal, unique ceramic sculptures.

Working in a small group, you will receive plenty of one to one attention and support. You will be led through a series of reflective exercises that encourage you to explore imagery and themes that feel meaningful to you, using them as a starting point for making.

Alongside this imaginative and reflective work, you will learn a range of hand building techniques for creating hollow sculptural forms in clay, including pinching, coiling, and slab building. Through a series of practical projects, you will build confidence in ceramic sculpture while experimenting with different approaches to form and surface. By the end of the course, you will have created a final sculpture that brings together the techniques and ideas you have explored.

Who this course is for

• People with some experience of working with clay who are new to ceramic sculpture

• Complete beginners who are interested in exploring clay in a supportive environment

• Those who find it difficult to generate ideas for sculptural work and would like guidance in developing their own visual language

• Anyone interested in exploring imagination, symbolism, and personal expression through the process of making

• People who enjoy learning in small groups with plenty of individual support and encouragement

Daily Schedule

Everyday

• 8:00–9:00 — Buffet breakfast.

• 9:30–12:30 — Morning lesson.

• 12:30–1:30 — Lunch.

• 2:30–5:30 — Afternoon lesson.

• 6:30 — Aperitif.

• 7:30 — Dinner.

Day 1

• Check-in from 6:00 pm.

• Guests arrive, settle in, and explore.

Day 2

• Introduction.

• Presentation.

• Clay meditation.

• Inner imagery exercises.

• Pinching and coiling: making sculptural hollow forms.

Day 3

• Clay meditation.

• Soft slab-building demonstration.

• Develop a slab-built bust from the imagery work.

Day 4

• Reflection.

• Group discussion.

• Revisit imagery.

• Refine experimental pieces.

• Group trip to Spoerri Sculpture Gardens.

Day 5

• Final project planning.

• Sketches.

• Maquettes.

• Begin sculpture.

• Continue sculpture with one-to-one tutorials.

Day 6

• Continue and resolve sculpture.

• Surface treatment.

• Finishing and reflection.

Day 7

• Check-out at 9:30 am.

• Guests will be accompanied to the airport.

Cost

Just about everything is included in this price: airport pick-ups and drop-offs, transportation for the excursions, etc., breakfast lunch and dinner, accommodation, and tuition by Anastassia Zamaraeva. Not included are your flights to Rome or travel insurance.

All cancellations are to be done within forty-eight hours from the time the deposit is made to get a full reimbursement.

• Private single bedroom at Hortulanus – €3,700 per person

• Double occupancy at Hortulanus – €3,300 per person