Contact Page - Ceramics Courses in Florence, Italy

Accademia Riaci, Florence:
Accademia Riaci is an Academy of Art and Design in the heart of Florence, Italy that was founded in 1983 by our Honorary President and Italy's leading jewelry artisan & sculptor, Maestro Raymond Riachi. We offer professional master courses, 2-year basic courses, one-year / semester programs and short summer programs taught by some of the best Italian artists in fields including ceramics, graphic design, product design, sketching, painting, jewelry design & making, interior design and more.

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Ceramics (2-year course taught in Italian):
The ceramics facilities at the academy and the city of Florence are excellent resources for your artistic and technical development. The academy has equipment available for wheel work, mold making, and slip casting projects, as well as large kilns for hand building and sculpture. A separate studio space is available for Basic course students. Due to the complex nature of materials and processes involved in this course, the curriculum incorporates aspects of chemistry, state-of-the art technology, and kiln and furnace design / construction.

Students are encouraged to use a wide range of materials and methods that have been applied in both traditional and contemporary contexts. The curriculum is extensively enhanced by exposure to visiting artists, workshops, and guest lectures.

Ceramics (1-Year / Semester Program) - Taught in Italian or English:
The faculty in the ceramics area is interested in and encourages the development of each student’s personal point of view. We emphasize conceptual exploration and the acquisition of historical, critical and theoretical knowledge. Additionally, we feel the production of works of art (learning through the experience of making) and technical development are essential ingredients for the successful studio artist. We are interested in students that understand tradition and embrace the making of useful objects as well as students who feel there may be new traditions to develop and new boundaries to expand. Consequently, the range of students work is very broad, from sculpture and installation to utilitarian objects.

One-Year Ceramics Master Course - Taught in English or Italian:
The studio-based Master program at Accademia Riaci is intended to broaden and advance the conceptual, critical, historical, and practical knowledge needed to sustain a contemporary studio. The program has been designed to meet the needs of artists holding BFA or BA degrees or comparable professional practice who are pursuing a Master in Ceramics within a time frame that accommodates their employment or academic year schedule.

Students pursue interdisciplinary investigation in studio topics common to each discipline and address contemporary critical issues and methodology in seminars. During the program, students complete independent studios, projects, and independent thesis. Students maintain contact with studio faculty and present studio work at specific intervals throughout the off-campus semester and at final critiques held at the end of the program.