The Imperfection of Porcelain and How to Use It

This masterclass is dedicated to an in-depth understanding of Limoges porcelain – a material that is both versatile and temperamental, requiring specific knowledge and skills to create freely.

Under the guidance of French artist Dora Stanczel, participants will explore experimental approaches to hand-building and porcelain casting across five intensive sessions. Every shrinkage, tension, or deformation will be seen as a potential – the starting point for a new idea.

Dora will guide participants through a deconstruction of classical notions of porcelain as a fragile and closed medium, encouraging creation through mistakes, deformation, and experimentation. The goal of the masterclass is to develop a new “vocabulary of errors” – a visual and tactile language that helps participants move beyond routine approaches to working with porcelain.

Program by session:

• Day 1
  Participant and mentor introductions, exploring the role of mistakes in the creative process. Preparing slip and introduction to experimentation with porcelain paste.
• Day 2
  Experimenting with cast porcelain on plaster boards. Hand-building and assembling casts. Using mistakes as a starting point for design.
• Day 3
  Observing results, shaping draperies and deformed volumes. Developing a language of errors. Preparing pieces for firing.
• Day 4
  Studying examples of porcelain in artistic installations. Opening the kiln, analyzing results. Preparing solutions for spatial presentation.
• Day 5
  Final exhibition setup. Discussion of approaches to imperfection and error. Compiling recommendations for future work.

Practical information

Prerequisites:
This masterclass is intended for professionals and advanced participants already working with ceramics who wish to expand their skills.

Training:
Attendance grants Ceramics 1 – Handbuilding, Slab Roller, and Potter’s Wheel and Plaster Workshop training, allowing independent use of the lab equipment.

Mentor:
Dora Stanczel is a French artist who, after training with leading European porcelain masters, opened her own studio in 2015. Her work combines precision handcraft with artistic freedom, often incorporating elements of error, deformation, and material interaction. She collaborates with architects, interior designers, and galleries worldwide, and her works are included in luxury brand collections.

"The intelligence of the hand lies in collaboration with the material, not in controlling it."
– Dora Stanczel

Instagram
www.dorastanczel.com

Course dates:

November 22, 23, 24, 25 & 26, 2025
Time: 10:00–17:00

Payment in two installments

Courses over €100 can be paid in two installments. Payment is possible at the Made in Rog store or via pro forma invoice, if you contact us at tajnistvo@center-rog.si.

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Participants are asked to gather 15 minutes before the program starts in the entrance lobby of Center Rog. Please store your personal belongings in the lockers provided by the mentor. Punctuality is essential – late arrivals disturb the workflow, and entry to the lab cannot be guaranteed in case of delay.

The program will be conducted in Slovenian and English.
In case of cancellation, we will notify you two days before the planned start.
If you are unable to attend, fees are non-refundable, and rescheduling is not possible. However, you may transfer your spot to another person by notifying us at least 24 hours in advance at steklokeramika@center-rog.si.

We look forward to welcoming you and creating together!