The founding retreat
Past retreat
- Ceramics
- 20 to 25 September 2026
- 5 nights
- Maremma, Tuscany
- No experience needed
The September 2026 edition was the first campo ceramics retreat. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the beginning. It was a very special week. This is the story of what we did, and a taste of what the next ceramic retreat will be.
The teacher
Melanie Rumball
Melanie Rumball is a London-based ceramicist, born in France into a family of makers. She has been working in clay for over a decade and teaching for four years. Her Swimmers series, figurative, playful and quietly joyful, has been featured in Harper's Bazaar and Elle Decoration. She throws, but hand-building is where she comes alive. Her work draws on nature, naive drawing and artists like Matisse and Cocteau. In the studio she's warm, knowledgeable and completely unprecious. The kind of person who makes you forget you were nervous about trying.
The making
Over the four days guests explored various handbuilding techniques guided by Melanie throughout.
Each day had a loose shape. Mornings usually began with Melanie demonstrating a technique or idea, then time at the table finding your way into it. Afternoons were open. Some people refined what they started, others began something new.
The process matters more than the outcome. Clay is slow and physical and asks you to pay attention. Everyone got their hands dirty, made things that didn't work, and discovered what happens when you stop trying to control the material. There was no pressure to produce, and everyone came away with a few small pieces to be proud of.
The firing and glazing of chosen finished pieces up to 2kg was included in the price.
The rhythm of the week
Sunday · Arrival Check in from 4pm. Welcome apericena and dinner.
Monday · Day one in the studio Morning yoga, first studio session, lunch, open studio, dinner, amaro tasting
Tuesday · Day two Morning yoga, lunch, open studio, walk to local village for aperitivo.
Wednesday · Day three Morning session, lunch, open studio, dinner, evening yoga
Thursday · Day four Morning session, open studio, enoteca and local village visit, pizza making night.
Friday · Departure Check out and farewells
The place
A working agriturismo
The Maremma is a rural region of southern Tuscany. Rolling hills, medieval villages, vineyards and a slower pace of life. Far from the crowds of Florence and Siena, it's one of Tuscany's best kept secrets.
The agriturismo sits just outside the medieval village of Montorgiali. A working farm surrounded by olive groves with views in every direction. In the distance, the village on the hilltop and on a clear day the Tyrrhenian Sea glints on the horizon. An ancient forest borders the property. Wild herbs, lavender and wildflowers grow everywhere. You may bump into a donkey or two.
It is genuinely off the beaten track. There are no shops or pressing places to be. That's kind of the point.
Classes take place in one of the converted barns, 120 square metres flooded with natural light and looking out over the hills. There's a pool to cool off in before or after class, and a terrace to relax and read.
Evenings bring an incredible sunset over the valley, and dinner is served across shared tables.
The best, recharging, fun, creative experience I've had with great people, amazing food and the most beautiful sunsets! · Ingrid, Miami
Getting there
Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino · Pisa
The agriturismo is genuinely rural. A car is advised. The Maremman coast, Pitigliano and the hot springs at Saturnia are all within reach.