Vessem is one of the many groundwater protections areas in Noord Brabant, the Netherlands, under the control of Brabant Water. A vulnerable area where the region’s tap water is sourced. The water is extracted from sources of dozens of meters deep, and is about 50 to 200 years old. Most of the oxygen in the water is already disappeared, and metals like manganese and iron are dissolved. It is here where centuries ago the Romans harvested iron ore in order to make knives and axes. And nowadays for us the perfect place to harvest the iron ore to develop our project ‘Oer’. We visited the place several times and took samples of different residues, such as dried out iron ore and iron ore which is diluted with water. This solid residual can be characterized by its deep red colour. Because of the difference in the percentage of iron ore every time, we had the opportunity to develop different colors and textures. The coloring of porcelain is our first tangible result of this research.

We would like to share our knowledge with you by providing a ceramics workshop. During this workshop you will learn how to make and color your own porcelain tableware with the residue of this water production facility.

Each course is divided in to two parts;

09.30u – 12.30u

After a short introduction you will learn how to use a plaster mold and cast your own porcelain cups, bowls and plates. We will provide 6 plaster molds per person and ready to use porcelain clay, colored with pigments extracted from the water production facility. After 2,5 hours you will have 2 cups, 2 bowls and 2 plates, ready for the kiln.

Between 12.30 and 13.30 there’s a lunchbreak and we will serve you some homemade vegetarian soup including coffee and/or tea. Feel free to bring your own sandwich.

13.30u – 16.30u

The afternoon will be all about coloring white biscuit fired porcelain. You are free to choose your own colors (we already developed the recipes) and mix them. By using very simple color techniques, such as ‘dipping’, spray paint and masking you will color 6 different objects.

After the workshop we will carefully glaze and fire all your items, ready for shipping or pick them up at the studio.

In brief:

• At NulZes, Eindhoven, NL
• By Lotte de Raadt & Kirstie van Noort
• One day ceramics workshop
• After the course you are the proud owner of 4 cups, 4 bowls and 4 plates (and you have the basic knowledge on how to expand your own collection)
• Including homemade soup / coffee / tea
• 275 euro per person
• 6 persons per workshop max.

Spaces are limited, so reserve your’s now!