TERRA ROSSA ▽ LIMESTONE

A workshop exploring the geology of the Dinaric Karst region through wood firing

TERRA ROSSA ▽ LIMESTONE is a four-part research cycle connecting the geology of the Dinaric Karst landscape with the material practice of ceramics and wood firing.

It is an in-depth exploration of the geological fabric of the Dinaric Karst — from collecting red clays and calcium carbonates in the field, to developing clay bodies, developing glazes and communal wood firing, where earth is translated through fire into enduring form.

At its center is jerina — the red karst soil whose Slovenian name etymologically derives from the Old Slavic root jar (fiery, forceful, spring-awakened, fertile), bearer of the colour of iron, the blood of stone, and the generative strength of the earth.

This workshop is a journey through the richness of our landscape — through the limestone bones of the Dinaric Karst and its red body of soil — where the ground we walk upon meets conscious creation and respectful collaboration with natural cycles.

I. WILD GEOLOGY

Collecting Terra Rossa and limestone

Dates: Mondays: 6th, 13th in 20th April, from 18:00 – 20:00

Fee: 180€ / person, for three meetings

The first module is entirely dedicated to fieldwork.

In forests, meadows, abandoned quarries and clay pits, we will collect:

– local red clays – Terra Rossa

– calcium carbonates and limestone

The focus is exclusively on gathering and understanding the material in its natural environment. We will learn how to recognize suitable raw materials, how to extract them responsibly, and how to prepare them for further use.

This workshop forms the foundation of the entire cycle — a direct encounter with landscape and raw matter.

II. CLAY ALCHEMY

Developing recipes and forming

Dates: Tuesdays: 7th, 14th, 21st in 28th April, from 18:00 – 20:00

Fee: 220€ / person, for four meetings

In the second module we develop our own clay bodies.

We will explore mixture recipes including:

– different red clays – Terra Rossa

– calcium carbonates

– kaolin

– quartz sand

By testing proportions, we will observe plasticity, shrinkage, texture and the behavior of the clay body during drying and firing.

We will create:

– smaller sculptures

– functional ceramics

The works will be fired both in an electric kiln and in a wood kiln, allowing comparison of results and deeper understanding of how different firing methods influence the material.

III. GLAZE ALCHEMY

Terra Rossa and limestone as the basis for glaze research

Dates: Wednesdays: 1st, 8th, 15th in 22nd April, from 18:00 – 20:00

Fee: 220€ / person, for four meetings

The third module is dedicated to systematic glaze testing.

The core materials are:

– Terra Rossa

– limestone

We will explore all possible combinations of these two materials across different temperature ranges, in both electric and wood kilns.

Testing will be supplemented as needed with additions such as:

– frit

– various fluxes

The result will be glaze test tiles fired at different temperatures, enabling clear analysis of color, texture, melting behavior, and the material’s response to fire.

IV. ALCHEMY OF THE DINARIC KARST

Final synthesis and creation

Dates: Thursdays: 2nd, 9th, 16th in 23rd April, from 18:00 – 20:00

Fee: 220€ / person, for four meetings

In the final module, we focus on creating finished works.

Rather than testing, we concentrate on producing functional and sculptural ceramics using the raw materials and recipes developed during Clay Alchemy and Glaze Alchemy.

All works will be fired exclusively in the wood kiln.

V. COMMUNAL FIRING AND CYCLE CONCLUSION

We will wood-fire all ceramics between April 24–26.

On April 30 at 18:00, a roundtable discussion will be held, including a presentation of all results and an in-depth explanation of processes, tests, and final observations.

Who is this workshop for?

The cycle is suitable for:

– ceramicists and artists who wish to work with local materials

– researchers of materials and traditional techniques

– anyone interested in the connection between geology, raw matter and fire

Every module is its own workshop but they could be combined, upon request. No prior knowledge is required — curiosity and willingness for fieldwork are warmly encouraged.

When
Between 1st – 30th April 2026,
from 18:00 – 20:00

Where
Studio Anja Slapničar,
Tržaška cesta 36,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia →

Price
The price of each workshop module is listed in the workshop descriptions

Registration is confirmed with the payment of the first half of the workshop fee. Second half of the workshop fee is settled upon arrival to the first meeting.

In case of cancellation we keep 20% of the workshop fee that has already been paid.

More info and apply to
studio@anjaslapnicar.com →

JERINA ▽ APNENEC

Delavnica raziskovanja geologije Dinarsko-Kraškega sveta z žganjem na drva

JERINA ▽ APNENEC je štiridelni raziskovalni ciklus, ki povezuje geologijo Dinarsko-Kraškega sveta z materialno prakso keramike in žganjem na drva.

Je poglobljeno raziskovanje geološkega tkiva Dinarsko-Kraškega sveta — od terenskega nabiranja rdečih glin in kalcijevih karbonatov do oblikovanja glinenih mas, razvoja glazur, oblikovanja izdelkov ter skupnega žganja na drva, kjer se zemlja v ognju prevede v trajno formo. V njenem središču je jerina — rdeča kraška zemlja, katere ime etimološko izhaja iz staroslovanskega korena jar (ognjen, silovit, pomladno prebujen: ploden), nosilka barve železa, krvi kamna in rodovitne moči zemlje. Ta delavnica je potovanje skozi bogastvo naše pokrajine — skozi apnenčaste kosti Dinarsko – Kraškega sveta in njenega rdeče telesa: rdeče zemlje — kjer se združijo tla, po katerih hodimo z zavestnim ustvarjanjem in spoštljivim sodelovanjem z naravnimi cikli.

I. DIVJA GEOLOGIJA

Terensko nabiranje jerine in apnenca

Datumi: Ponedeljki: 6., 13. in 20. april, od 18. do 20. ure

Cena: 180€ / osebo za tri srečanja

Prvi sklop je v celoti namenjen terenskemu delu.

V gozdovih, na travnikih ter v opuščenih kamnolomih in glinokopih bomo nabirali:

– lokalne rdeče gline – jerine

– kalcijeve karbonate in apnenec

Poudarek je izključno na nabiranju in razumevanju materiala v njegovem naravnem okolju. Učili se bomo prepoznavanja primernih surovin, njihovega pravilnega odvzema ter osnovne priprave za nadaljnjo uporabo.

Ta delavnica je temelj celotnega cikla – neposreden stik s pokrajino in surovino.

II. ALKIMIJA GLINE

Raziskovanje receptur in oblikovanje

Datumi: Torki: 7., 14., 21. in 28. april, od 18. do 20. ure

Cena: 220€ / osebo za štiri srečanja

V drugem sklopu razvijamo lastne glinene mase.

Raziskovali bomo recepte mešanic, ki vključujejo:

– različne rdeče gline – jerine

– kalcijeve karbonate

– kaolin

– kvarčni pesek

S preizkušanjem razmerij bomo opazovali plastičnost, krčenje, teksturo in obnašanje mase pri sušenju ter žganju.

Nastajale bodo:

– manjše skulpture

– uporabna keramika

Izdelki bodo žgani v električni peči in v peči na drva, kar omogoča primerjavo rezultatov in razumevanje vpliva različnih načinov žganja.

III. ALKIMIJA GLAZUR

Jerina in apnenec kot osnova glazurnih raziskav

Datumi: Srede: 1., 8., 15. in 22. april, od 18. do 20. ure

Cena: 220€ / osebo za štiri srečanja

Tretji sklop je namenjen sistematičnemu testiranju glazur.

Osrednji sestavini sta:

– jerina

– apnenec

Raziskovali bomo vse možne kombinacije teh dveh materialov v različnih temperaturnih intervalih, tako v električni peči kot v peči na drva.

Testiranja bomo po potrebi dopolnjevali z dodatki:

– frit

– različnih talilcev

Rezultat bodo testne ploščice glazur, odžgane na različnih temperaturah, ki bodo omogočile jasno analizo barv, tekstur, taljenja in odziva materiala na ogenj.

IV. ALKIMIJA DINARSKO-KRAŠKEGA SVETA

Končna sinteza in ustvarjanje

Datumi: Četrtki: 2., 9., 16. in 23. april, od 18. do 20. ure

Cena: 220€ / osebo za štiri srečanja

V zaključnem sklopu se posvetimo ustvarjanju končnih del.

Ne ukvarjamo se več s testiranjem, temveč z izdelavo uporabne in skulpturalne keramike iz surovin ter receptur, razvitih v sklopih Alkimija gline in Alkimija glazur.

Vsi izdelki bodo žgani izključno v peči na drva.