02 maggio 2026
Sgraffito Masterclass
Take part in a one-day intensive masterclass with Clara Holt, dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the sgraffito technique on ceramics.
Sgraffito is an ancient decorative technique that allows illustrations to be created on clay before firing. A layer of slip is applied to the surface, which is then incised or scratched to reveal the underlying color. The resulting chromatic contrast makes it possible to create drawings, geometric patterns, and textures, giving life to expressive decorations.
PROGRAM
Over the course of 6 hours, Clara will guide participants through the technical and expressive principles of sgraffito, working on both flat surfaces and curved forms. The main tools and materials used in the technique will be introduced, along with an overview of Clara’s personal creative approach, supported by examples from other artists’ work and from different historical traditions.
By the end of the course, participants will have gained familiarity with the technique and a deeper awareness of its expressive potential, as well as practical tools and inspiration to develop their own visual language through sgraffito, thanks to guided exercises and hands-on experimentation.
The course is open to participants of all experience levels and is especially suitable for those with a background or strong interest in illustration, drawing, and visual storytelling who wish to transfer their graphic language onto ceramic surfaces. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas, sketches, drawings, or reference images.
Minimum age: 18.
WHAT YOU WILL MAKE
During the workshop, participants will decorate:
- 3 tiles (approx. 12×12 cm)
- 1 cylinder (approx. 12 cm high)
All pieces will be provided at the leather-hard stage, ready for decoration.
What to bring: sketchbook and drawings, reference images or visual materials.
DATE
The masterclass will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, including a 1-hour lunch break.
ARTIST
Clara Holt is an Italian artist, born in 1987 and raised in Pescara. She has a background in classical studies and holds a degree in neuroscience, before discovering her passion for ceramics, with a particular focus on ceramic decoration alongside printmaking and engraving practices. She is the co-founder of Fuoco Blu, a ceramic studio in Milan dedicated to education, commissioned work, and her personal research.
Her work is deeply connected to storytelling and stems from a desire to share stories, characters, and experiences. Her narratives draw inspiration from mythology, folklore, and legends, as well as real or imagined stories of the places she moves through and inhabits stories passed down or emerging from the unconscious, rich in symbols that speak to the most irrational and hidden aspects of human nature.