Join us for an immersive, hands-on exploration of glaze chemistry and colour development with Athena Kontonikolaki. This intensive workshop introduces the foundations of ceramic glazes, guiding participants through the science behind successful glaze formulation while developing a systematic approach to testing and experimentation. Through Athena’s research-driven practice, participants will discover how chemistry, raw materials, and colour interact to create beautiful, reliable ceramic surfaces.
Participants will begin with live demonstrations by Athena, followed by guided glaze mixing, testing, application, and experimentation. Students will learn the principles of transparent, white, and matte glazes, explore colour development, layering techniques, lava, crawl, crystalline glazes, and build a personal glaze testing library that can serve as a valuable studio resource. The workshop concludes with a fired results discussion, allowing participants to evaluate their tests, troubleshoot outcomes, and deepen their understanding of glaze behaviour.
By the end of the program, participants will have developed a strong foundation in glaze chemistry, gained confidence in systematic glaze testing, and acquired the knowledge to formulate, modify, and refine glazes for their own ceramic practice.
key learning objectives
Understand the fundamentals of glaze chemistry and raw materials.
Learn systematic methods for glaze testing and documentation.
Develop transparent, white, matte, and coloured glazes.
Explore colour development and glaze layering techniques.
Build a personal glaze testing library for future reference.
Develop techniques for achieving consistent special effects.
Analyze fired glaze results and troubleshoot glaze behaviour.
Gain insight into Athena Kontonikolaki’s approach to glaze research and experimentation.
what to expect
Live demonstrations by Athena Kontonikolaki.
Daily hands-on glaze mixing and testing sessions.
Guided experimentation with glaze recipes and colour development.
Individual guidance and technical support throughout the workshop.
Creation of glaze test tiles and reference samples.
Fired results discussion and glaze analysis session.
A collaborative, research-focused studio environment designed for learning and experimentation.