CERAMIC WORKSHOP IN MANISES, VALENCIA

The workshop takes us to visit the traditional ceramic museum H3
To discover the tremendous ceramic heritage of Manises, there’s nothing like starting with a traditional museum located in an 18th-century mansion. You’ll journey through history from the 14th to the 20th century. Particularly noteworthy is its kitchen-dining room, which corresponds to the original 18th-century one that the house had.

Stroll through Barri d’Obradors H3.
On the way to the ceramic workshop, where we’ll experience the practical part, we stroll through the Barri d’Obradors of Manises. This neighborhood has been home to most of Manises’ ceramic production for centuries. Among its streets and squares were the majority of ceramic production factories. Only a few remain standing today, but this walk allows us to experience what that outstanding tradition was like for a moment.

And then, the practical part of the ceramic workshop H3
The Barri d’Obradors leads us to the tour’s final stop: the ceramic workshop. If you pass by the door, you wouldn’t think that’s the place where the magic happens.

It’s a professional workshop where artisans work day in and day out, creating authentic works of art. In fact, they have worked with top Michelin-starred chefs, designing and providing unique custom-made pieces for their restaurants.

Its owner and artisan keeps achieving success thanks to his effort and work and his passion for ceramics, which he conveys to everyone around him.

Moreover, it’s a workshop that approaches ceramics differently, embracing avant-garde and new trends. Its artisan pushes ceramics to its limits, working with different techniques and studying new ways of doing it.

Once we know the «theory,» it’s time to get to work and experiment with ceramics. We want each participant to touch, feel, and leave their mark.

The ceramic workshop consists of two parts: modeling and the Raku technique.

Modeling H3
A piece or lump of «clay» is manipulated during the modeling phase. It’s important to note that this is local clay, which has been used for centuries to make Manises ceramics.

The goal is to let our imagination and creativity speak for themselves and transmit it to the piece we’re modeling. Feeling the «clay» in our hands allows us to understand much better what it takes to shape a piece the way one desires. It helps us put ourselves in the artisan’s shoes for a few minutes and feel what they feel when working and creating.
It’s very satisfying to see that everyone has something to share and that each piece is unique and valuable.

Raku Technique H3
With the Raku technique, magic comes to the workshop.
It’s a technique that originated in Japan and is related to the tea ceremony. It was tradition that in Zen Buddhist master meetings, guests drank tea in cups they made and decorated with oxides.
They could enjoy their cups after a few minutes of firing in a wood kiln.

Furthermore, this technique coincides with Zen principles and beliefs as it combines the four elements of nature: earth, water, air, and fire.
First, we paint some ceramic pieces with different oxides. In this part, just like in modeling, each participant’s creativity and imagination will make each piece unique.

Once painted, they’re placed in a wood-fired kiln. That’s when the magic happens, as the four elements converge.

When the pieces are removed from the kiln, we’ll discover an unexpected result. That piece will be the best memory they can take away from this ceramic experience in Manises.

Moreover, the group can enjoy a snack during firing before concluding a workshop that lacks nothing.