Anagama & Raugo Ceramic Symposium in Vilnius district, Lithuania
Anagama and Raugo Ceramic Symposium is an international event to attract potters and ceramic artists that looking for the ability of Anagama high-firing with wood and giving first hand experiences of the tricks and marvels of the antique Lithuanian Raugo[1] techniques. The Symposium to be organised in Vilnius district, will start in Centre of Traditional Crafts in the Houvalt Manor close to Vilnius city. The second part will continue in most picturesque Karmazinai Valley at Anagama site. Karmazinai Anagama and Raugo Ceramic Symposium is three weeks of practical, creative and technological explorations, of course, presentations by symposium members and trips to sites of interest around Lithuania. Through the symposium, the partners, benefactors and the general public, will be able to observe and interact with the artists and witness the creative processes of art in a way that traditionally is not on display to the public. We believe that witnessing the creative process of artists is one of the most valuable aspects of art. This symposium gives a platform to the audience to go behind the scenes and understand and appreciate modern art of craft making in a memorable, sustainable and interesting way.
The first, creative part of Symposium takes place at Houvalt Manor, which is used as a local educational centre in Maisiagala Village. It’s is about 20 km from the capital, Vilnius. Houvalt Manor House is in the centre of the village close to grocery stores, post office bus station. The participants will be conveniently accommodated in local guesthouse. They will be provided with equipped studios with 3 throwing wheels, electric kiln for biscuit firing and other equipment.
In the beginning of the second week we will move to Karmazinai Valley in Regional Nature Park (some 12 km from Maisiagala Village), will accommodate in Guesthouse[2] right in the spot and will start to prepare for Anagama Firing. The two-days long kiln loading and firing of the kiln over a four-day weekend provides participants with the unique opportunity to experience all facets of a wood firing. The participants will be instructed, explained and leaded. The firing shifts will be organized attracting minimum one skilful ceramist per shift to be on duty. We plan to burn over 25 cubic meters of wood. The firing supposed to be take up to 100 hours, so we will work in 4 shifts. Each participant will need to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift per day. You may of course stay longer.
The third week will pass by waiting for Karmazinai Anagama Kiln cooling. The sightseeing tours in the Nature Park and excursions to nearby exciting places will help to relax after hard work during the firing. On the third week we’ll organise the Raugo Ceramic Workshop for the participants along with the experts of this unique ancient Lithuanian technology that gives marvellous decors for ceramic.
The participation fee is €1200 and it covers 100 kg of clay, firings, Raugo workshop, catering, accommodation, leisure tours. The pre-payment, €300 should be transferred to the bank account of the Karmazinu Keramika latest two month before the symposium starts (June 27th 2017). If you cancel your participation less than two months before the symposium, the pre-payment will not be returned. The rest of the participation fee can be transferred to the bank account or payed in cash after your arrival. The costs of returning the pre-payment are payed by the applicant. The bank information will be sent separately to every participant after confirming the participation.
The price differs to the groups of minimum 10 persons. The group price is €1000 per person and the dates of Symposium can be agreed.
All participants will get up to 100 kg of heavy grogged clay and we expect you to create some bigger sculptures or sculptural compositions. At least one of your works has to stay in Karmazinai Valley and will be a part of the open-air ceramic collection. We’d appreciate very much if you find a possibility to make also some smaller pieces for the sponsors.
Any other special materials are not included in the participation fee and should be payed separately by the participants. The organizers need to know the possible order earlier otherwise we cannot guarantee the shipment of the ordered materials during the symposium.
Please, bring along your favorite personal tools. There are several studios in the basement of the manor house, 2 or maximum 3 persons have to share one studio. There’s a small slab roller and thre electric wheels for the participants use which will be shared friendly by all participants. There's a possibility to use an electric kiln for the bisque firing.
Accommodation. There are mainly double rooms in the Guesthouses in Maisiagala and Karmazinai Valley. The bathrooms and showers are situated separately - you have to share with others.
Catering. Three meals per day, prepared in the Guesthouse kitchen, are included in the participation fee. If you are a vegetarian or allergic to some food, please, inform us before your arrival.
There are couple of free days for the sightseeing until the kiln cools down. As the climate is pretty cool in Lithuania (in September normally +16˚ to + 23˚ C), and nobody can be sure for weather on exact week or even day, whatever, we suggest you take along both warmer clothes and swimming costumes. Also sporty shoes for the hiking tours and something against rain. There’s a possibility for swimming and canoeing in the local river in the Regional Nature Park, just behind the Guesthouse of Valley.
In the end of the symposium all participants take care of cleaning the studios and preparing firewood for the next firing.
On Saturday, September 21st there will be the open-air exhibition of the works made during the symposium, the closing ceremony of the symposium and a party.
To be selected to participate in Anagama and Raugo Ceramic Symposium, please, provide us with your personal details, your professional artist presentation and contacts. Send this information to beatrice@anagama.lt
[1] Ancient Lithuanian Raugo technique also known as the Obvara or Soaking in the leaven technique which originated in Eastern and Central Europe around the 12th Century.
[2] Staying in site conditions can be reviewed at http://slenyje.lt/?page_id=881.
The first, creative part of Symposium takes place at Houvalt Manor, which is used as a local educational centre in Maisiagala Village. It’s is about 20 km from the capital, Vilnius. Houvalt Manor House is in the centre of the village close to grocery stores, post office bus station. The participants will be conveniently accommodated in local guesthouse. They will be provided with equipped studios with 3 throwing wheels, electric kiln for biscuit firing and other equipment.
In the beginning of the second week we will move to Karmazinai Valley in Regional Nature Park (some 12 km from Maisiagala Village), will accommodate in Guesthouse[2] right in the spot and will start to prepare for Anagama Firing. The two-days long kiln loading and firing of the kiln over a four-day weekend provides participants with the unique opportunity to experience all facets of a wood firing. The participants will be instructed, explained and leaded. The firing shifts will be organized attracting minimum one skilful ceramist per shift to be on duty. We plan to burn over 25 cubic meters of wood. The firing supposed to be take up to 100 hours, so we will work in 4 shifts. Each participant will need to sign up for at least one 6-hour shift per day. You may of course stay longer.
The third week will pass by waiting for Karmazinai Anagama Kiln cooling. The sightseeing tours in the Nature Park and excursions to nearby exciting places will help to relax after hard work during the firing. On the third week we’ll organise the Raugo Ceramic Workshop for the participants along with the experts of this unique ancient Lithuanian technology that gives marvellous decors for ceramic.
The participation fee is €1200 and it covers 100 kg of clay, firings, Raugo workshop, catering, accommodation, leisure tours. The pre-payment, €300 should be transferred to the bank account of the Karmazinu Keramika latest two month before the symposium starts (June 27th 2017). If you cancel your participation less than two months before the symposium, the pre-payment will not be returned. The rest of the participation fee can be transferred to the bank account or payed in cash after your arrival. The costs of returning the pre-payment are payed by the applicant. The bank information will be sent separately to every participant after confirming the participation.
The price differs to the groups of minimum 10 persons. The group price is €1000 per person and the dates of Symposium can be agreed.
All participants will get up to 100 kg of heavy grogged clay and we expect you to create some bigger sculptures or sculptural compositions. At least one of your works has to stay in Karmazinai Valley and will be a part of the open-air ceramic collection. We’d appreciate very much if you find a possibility to make also some smaller pieces for the sponsors.
Any other special materials are not included in the participation fee and should be payed separately by the participants. The organizers need to know the possible order earlier otherwise we cannot guarantee the shipment of the ordered materials during the symposium.
Please, bring along your favorite personal tools. There are several studios in the basement of the manor house, 2 or maximum 3 persons have to share one studio. There’s a small slab roller and thre electric wheels for the participants use which will be shared friendly by all participants. There's a possibility to use an electric kiln for the bisque firing.
Accommodation. There are mainly double rooms in the Guesthouses in Maisiagala and Karmazinai Valley. The bathrooms and showers are situated separately - you have to share with others.
Catering. Three meals per day, prepared in the Guesthouse kitchen, are included in the participation fee. If you are a vegetarian or allergic to some food, please, inform us before your arrival.
There are couple of free days for the sightseeing until the kiln cools down. As the climate is pretty cool in Lithuania (in September normally +16˚ to + 23˚ C), and nobody can be sure for weather on exact week or even day, whatever, we suggest you take along both warmer clothes and swimming costumes. Also sporty shoes for the hiking tours and something against rain. There’s a possibility for swimming and canoeing in the local river in the Regional Nature Park, just behind the Guesthouse of Valley.
In the end of the symposium all participants take care of cleaning the studios and preparing firewood for the next firing.
On Saturday, September 21st there will be the open-air exhibition of the works made during the symposium, the closing ceremony of the symposium and a party.
To be selected to participate in Anagama and Raugo Ceramic Symposium, please, provide us with your personal details, your professional artist presentation and contacts. Send this information to beatrice@anagama.lt
[1] Ancient Lithuanian Raugo technique also known as the Obvara or Soaking in the leaven technique which originated in Eastern and Central Europe around the 12th Century.
[2] Staying in site conditions can be reviewed at http://slenyje.lt/?page_id=881.