Dieter Telemans (b. 1971) is a Belgian ceramic artist whose work is shaped by a childhood in Burundi and the pottery traditions of Central Africa, where he watched Batwa potters build vessels by coiling and intuitive gesture. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Anderlecht.
Combining traditional wheel throwing with hand-building, he developed his own method of building with clay coils directly on the wheel, allowing large, expressive forms. He works with heavily grogged clays — sometimes combining different clay bodies in one piece — often leaving raw clay with little or no glaze.
His sculptural yet functional vessels are informed by organic form, patience, stability and respect for material. He teaches ceramics and leads workshops throughout Europe.
A one-week workshop building large, expressive vessels by working clay coils directly on the wheel — Dieter Telemans's own method combining wheel throwing and hand-building. Across the week, participants develop large forms while preserving the rhythm and sensitivity of hand-building, exploring form, balance, surface and material at scale.
This workshop runs as a single one-week session. Maximum six participants.
Makers with previous pottery-wheel experience who are ready to build large coil-on-the-wheel forms. You should be confident centring approximately 1.5 kg of clay (you may begin with smaller amounts during the workshop). This workshop is not suitable for complete beginners.
Beginner to advanced welcome. With a maximum of six participants, individual attention is given to each participant according to their level and experience. The invited artist leads the workshop, with Zohra Bonnis assisting throughout the teaching programme.
One-week workshop in Porto Heli — arrival Saturday, departure the following Saturday, with focused studio instruction Monday to Friday. Maximum six participants.
Clay, studio wheels, and shared studio tools are part of the workshop programme. Participants may bring their own preferred throwing and hand-building tools.
Large coil-built forms carry higher drying and firing risk; cracking, warping, and collapse are part of working at this scale. Controlled drying and careful handling are taught, but kiln results on large works are never guaranteed.
Sessions run Monday to Friday. The studio opens at 10:00. Each day pairs technical instruction at the wheel in the morning with independent building and individual coaching in the afternoon.
Demonstrations with Dieter Telemans — building with clay coils directly on the wheel, combining throwing and hand-building for the day's form. Step-by-step instruction for the whole group.
Midday break. The studio stays open for those who wish to keep working or reflect on the morning's building.
Independent time at the wheel developing personal large forms, with individual coaching from Dieter. Building height, refining form, and managing heavy work.
A progressive week building from the base upward, developing large coil-on-the-wheel forms. The detailed daily plan is confirmed with the artist ahead of the workshop.
| Day | Morning · 10:00 – 12:30 | Afternoon · 13:30 – 16:00 |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Arrival from 3 pm. Settle in and explore the surroundings. | |
| Sunday | Completely free day — rest, swim, enjoy Porto Heli, or independently visit Spetses, Hydra or Ancient Epidaurus. No scheduled programme. | |
| Monday | Centring and building the base; starting coils on the wheel. | Practise the coil-on-the-wheel method — Dieter coaches each participant individually. |
| Tuesday | Building height with coils; combining throwing and hand-building. | Develop wall strength and rhythm; individual feedback at the wheel. |
| Wednesday | Developing large form and balance; shaping the profile. | Work at scale on personal forms; one-on-one coaching. |
| Thursday | Surface and material; working with grogged clay. | Refine surface and form; managing weight and drying. |
| Friday | Finishing large forms and group critique. | Complete the week's work; controlled drying and handling for safe firing. |
| Saturday | Departure in the morning. | |
The following rules apply to all participants. They are shared in advance and agreed to as part of the registration process. Safety is the responsibility of every person in the studio.
Fees and exact terms are confirmed at the time of registration. The following general cancellation framework applies to all Z Gallery Arts workshops.
Less a 15% administrative fee. Refund issued within 14 business days.
Or transfer to another Z Gallery Arts programme in the same season, subject to availability.
In exceptional circumstances (medical), a credit toward a future programme may be offered at Z Gallery Arts' discretion.
Not included: flights, travel from airport to the studio, and personal excursions. If Z Gallery Arts cancels the workshop for any reason, registered participants will receive a full refund.
All registered participants receive the Z Gallery Arts Participant Agreement, Liability Waiver, and Studio Safety Rules prior to the first session. Registration is conditional on agreement to these terms.
Educational Art Programme Declaration. All workshops organised by Z Gallery Arts Inc. (Vancouver, Canada) are educational art programmes focused on ceramic learning and artistic exchange. Studio facilities are made available exclusively to registered programme participants. These programmes do not constitute a hotel, tourism, hospitality, or vocational training service. All technical operations are conducted under instructor supervision. Participants acknowledge that ceramics involves physical risks including exposure to clay dust, heat, and sharp tools, and that they have disclosed any relevant health conditions on their application. Z Gallery Arts Inc. holds all appropriate insurance for the programme activities described. Z Gallery Arts Inc. — Registered Canadian Corporation.
Z Gallery Arts Inc. — Registered Canadian Corporation — Vancouver, BC, Canada. Workshops are organised as educational art programmes focused on ceramic learning and artistic exchange in Porto Heli, Peloponnese, Greece, a seasonal programme location. Maximum six participants.
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