Residential Courses with Visiting Artists
August 2020 - Raku Workshop with Joachim Lambrecht
Cancelled
I have the privilege to offer you this gem of a Raku course taught by Joachim Lambrecht from Germany.
The course will cover:
- Design principles
- Suitable materials and best clay bodies
- Construction techniques
- Glazes and glazing techniques
- Firing techniques
Arrival Date is Sunday 16th August, after 4pm in the afternoon
Light refreshments will be served before a guided tour of the premises.
Evening meal is at 7pm with free time afterwards.
Departure is Saturday 22nd August
Course Times: Monday – Friday 10-12.30 and 14.30 -17.00 (25 hours per week tutored time)
Joachim Lambrecht will be teaching the construction and modelling of vessels and vessel objects, as well as that of freely constructed sculptural pieces.
Jochen will be guiding you through design principals combined with teaching his technical knowhow and expertise and will assist you in acquiring the necessary skills to produce your own unique designs using the Raku firing technique and glaze finishes. You will have the information and gain first-hand experience on how to fire your pieces at the end of the week in Jochen’s Raku kiln.
Suitable clay bodies and glazes are being supplied. 5kg of fired materials are also included in the course fee, as well as full board and lodge and transfers to the nearby train station in 24400 Mussidan or Bergerac airport.
Our quality accommodation awaits you in the romantic permaculture ex flour-mill, “Le Moulin de Leymonie du Maupas” and a nearby farmhouse. There are wonderful courtyards, a stream, views, woodland walks, and sun loungers in the paddocks to relax on, as well as delicious vegetarian meals. You have a self-service breakfast in your living quarters, a 3 course organic vegetarian lunch on the terrace, as well as a light evening meal with organic wine at the mill and unlimited Wifi (Please note: reception can be intermittent as we are in a remote valley. It is therefore advisable you have your own roaming contract for your own phone).
Hostess and fellow potter Sylph Baier makes her large library available to you and for the knowledge hungry we can provide you with subject specific YouTube clips in the evening.
If you are looking for a wonderful, enriching summer experience, immersed in your chosen subject matter, guided by a sensitive and highly experienced and accomplished teacher along with soaking up the sun and the creative buzz of the “Mill”, then this potting experience is for you.
We look forward to welcoming you here in the Dordogne and our history packed mill with its unique radiance and creative atmosphere.
Schedule
You are welcome to use the studio, untutored in the evenings and outside the structured lessons until 9pm and from 9am in the mornings.
Refreshments with homemade cakes and biscuits will be served at 11.15am and 3.45pm
A 3 course vegetarian lunch is served at 12.30pm under the porch and on the terrace.
A light vegetarian meal with organic local wine is served at 6.30pm followed either by free time or subject specific YouTube clips
Special dietary requirements can be catered for and will occur a surcharge of € 50 per head. Please let us know your specific needs so we can get all you require ahead of time and prepare your meals. (Vegan, Celiac, Omnivore, Pescatarian, Allergies)
For students who would like to bring a partner along for full board and lodging only - this is available in our en-suite accommodation at half price (see below).
Our food is locally sourced and organic where possible.
Getting Here
By train: Nearest train station is 24400 Mussidan.
(Paris - Bordeaux 2 hours. Bordeaux - Mussidan 1 hour)
By plane: Bergerac airport.
Free collection from Bergerac airport or Mussidan train station.
By car: please refer to map on the Contact page
Accommodation and Prices
Course fees are per person and inclusive of full board and lodging, firings and 5kg of clay - see rates below.
Please bring you own tools if preferred and an apron; but we can provide everything you need on the course.
Non-participating partners are welcome for a holiday only - perhaps to participate in other local activities or to visit the magnificent sites of the Dordogne.
Our Mill holiday let is available for the week before and after the course, should you wish to spend some more time in the area, We can provide you with the information and pointers for all the local sites and restaurants, vineyards and excursions, to make this a memorable holiday experience.
Sylph's Mill | |
2 double superior rooms in Sylph's Mill (Blue and Red rooms). Please note: The Mill is an original Perigordine 17th century property with many original features. This adds to your authentic holiday experience but is therefore only suitable for able bodied people as there are steep miller's stairs which lead to the bedrooms, and also ancient flag stones at the entrance which need careful navigation. Access to all parts of the Mill is at student’s own risk. | € 1250 per person (non-potting partners, € 625) |
1 shared twin Attic Room in Sylph's Mill with shared bathroom and toilet on floor below. It is situated in the “grenier” of the Mill. This option is for two people booking as individual course participants only, based on two people sharing. Please note this accommodation is limited in head hight and most suitable for people up to 170cm tall. Access is via a steep stair case. | € 1100 per person |
Perigordine Farmhouse (nearby) We collect and take you there by minibus |
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2 double superior rooms with shared shower in the Farmhouse | € 1190 per person (non-potting partners, € 595) |
Ground floor double bedroom at farmhouse with large bathroom. Bathtub and toilet. | € 1250 per person (non-potting partners, € 625) |
Studio apartment with ensuite shower, kitchen, sofa bed and own roof terrace. | € 1250 per person (non-potting partners, € 625) |
See images of the different rooms below:
The Blue and Red Rooms in Sylph's Mill
- Blue room (en-suite shower & toilet)
- Ensuite shower
- Red room (en-suite shower & toilet)
- Red room
- Shared kitchen/dining room
- Shade on the verandah
- Workshop courtyard
- The stream in the grounds
- Moulin's sheep!
- Evening drink
- Living Room
The Attic Room in Sylph's Mill

The nearby Perigordine Farmhouse
