Pottery & Design with Roberto
  • Majorca, Spain
  • 16 hours over 4 days

Pottery & Design with Roberto

Step into the world of slow handcrafted pottery and design, inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, with multi-disciplinary designer Roberto. Learn how to develop a concept into unique products with a soul, while exploring textures, colors and the joy of craftspersonship.
  • Breakfast

Pricing

One Guest
USD $1695
Additional guest(s) (max 4)
USD $1160

Meet the Artist

Roberto, an Italy-born architect, interior designer, illustrator, and food lover, melds all his skills into slow handcrafted pottery. As a two-time winner of the Mallorca Craft Prize, he has been recognized for his deep respect for local traditions, values, and craftsmanship. Roberto creates objects that blend craftsmanship with design. Growing up in Naples, he draws inspiration from the Mediterranean Sea and the dichotomy of his upbringing, with a rational mathematician father and a creative pianist mother.

Over the past 15 years, Roberto has lived and taught across Europe. In addition to his own production, he designs custom collections with local makers and clients from the worlds of gastronomy, art, and architecture. He always carries his grandmother's handwritten recipe book, fueling his passion for gastronomy and notebooks, which are constant companions on his table or in his pocket.

Roberto's atelier follows simple and straightforward guidelines: less is more, useful, sharp, and smart. The idea is paramount. He starts from the concept and develops the design to create unexpected, unique objects. His work incorporates everything from avant-garde, modernist architectural shapes to intricate handcrafted details and embellishments. He explores textures with his hands and specific tools, playing with slips and oxides to add color and layers to his creations.

The studio is a laboratory where ideas and clay merge in a creative environment with people of all ages, countries, and professions. If you want to learn the importance and value of handmade and well-designed objects, Roberto's studio is the perfect place for you.

VAWAA Includes:

  • Introduction to design and pottery process.
  • Experimenting with ideas and clay to develop your own designs.
  • Learning the basics of wheel throwing to make well done cylinders , bowls and plates.
  • Learning how to work with textures and how to illustrate on the clay pieces. Play with slips, oxides, and techniques like sgraffito, tape-resist and sodium silicate.
  • Learning how to trim and stitch together clay components.
  • Visiting a local design atelier, art gallery, and walk in Palma Old Town.
  • All materials, tools and your hand-built ceramic pieces to take home. (Pieces can be shipped for an additional fee.)

Explore Majorca

Majorca, the Mediterranean island off the east coast of Spain, is full of stunning beaches, plenty of gorgeous nature, and charming historic towns. No wonder it’s been the inspiration for generations of artists, from Chopin to Miro. Its towns are made up of tiny Spanish cafes, tapas bars, bustling markets, and cozy artisan shops to experience the local lifestyle. Or you can sun soak at the beach and explore the numerous coastal caves and cliffs for stunning views.

Roberto's studio is in Palma, where the early morning light lets the façades made of local stone speak about history and art. As a designer and traveler, he finds Palma and Mallorca in general – a special place where people like him decide to settle down and exchange skills and knowledge.

Additional Details

The best time to visit is year round. The landscapes and colors change every season.

This VAWAA is available for a longer duration up to 8 days. If interested in extending your time, let us know by how many days and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Roberto speaks Spanish, English and Italian.
Roberto's Availability 4 days

Guest Reviews

5
  • Sara A., United States

    My VAWAA artists apprenticeship in pottery and design with Robert in Mallorca was a focused and hands-on learning experience. The structure allowed for plenty of time in the studio, and Robert was patient, approachable, and always willing to answer questions as they came up. He created a comfortable working environment and encouraged learning through practice rather than over-instruction. The atmo Read more

  • Bob P., United States

    Roberto was an excellent and very supportive instructor. He is a master at his craft was very patient working with two people who had never thrown clay prior to this experience.

  • Momoko H., United States

    I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a workshop with Roberto, and it remains one of my most cherished memories. Even now, I often think back to that summer with a smile.

    I chose Mallorca because I was drawn to the island’s natural beauty, and a ceramic workshop felt like the perfect way to connect with its wild rock formations and earthy landscapes.

    Roberto was an exceptional teacher—g
    Read more

  • Julie C., France

    Wonderful experience with Roberto all around, from chatting to learning and having an amazing teacher all to myself, all in a great location. Thank you for everything!

  • Stefanie K., Switzerland

    Overall, the experience with Roberto was beyond great. As I already commented, he is a wonderful person and an amazing teacher. His teaching is very didactic, calm, assuring and motivating. And, of course, he is a very talented designer and potter. Originally, the experience was mainly meant for my partner Lionel and I was accompanying him but ultimately, we both got very different results. Lionel Read more