Cornol · Jura suisse · 1h from BaselPottery retreats in the Jura.
Real technique, taught patiently — wheel throwing, hand-building, and more. A village that's shaped clay since the 16th century. Small groups, surrounded by nature.
THE PRACTICETechnique first. The Tao is how you get there.
Every retreat begins the same way: Qi Gong before the clay. Not as a substitute for skill — as what makes real progress possible. A tense hand can't center clay. A forcing grip can't raise a wall evenly. Presence is the goal — it's what lets the technique actually land.
This is Wu Wei — the Taoist principle of acting without forcing. Students leave with sharper hands and centered minds.
"Practising at the wheel is practising for life. The benefits go far beyond making a pot."
WHAT WE OFFERFive formats. One practice.
STAGE 2 DAYS
The gesture
WHEEL THROWING
Pure technique — centring, opening, pulling, shaping. No finished pieces. Only the practice of the gesture itself. Wu Wei at the wheel.
Qi Gong Lunch included
STAGE 3 DAYS
The large piece
HAND BUILDING
Coil-building one large piece by hand. Pieces rest at the atelier — collect them at The Fire Day, within 3 months.
Qi Gong Lunch included
STAGE 1 DAY
The fire decides
SURFACE AND FIRE
Pit fire technique. Work on pre-fired pieces. Pieces leave with you.
Qi Gong Lunch included
STAGE 2 DAYS
Tao & intention
QIMEN AND BAZI
Qimen consultation, Tao alignment, creation of a personal altar. Independent from the other stages — open to all, no ceramic experience required.
Qi Gong
Consultation
Lunch included
STAGE 2 DAYS
Make your own table
YOUR OWN TABLEWARE
Create a complete set of tableware for 6 — plates, bowls, cups. 100% food safe glazes. Previous experience in wheel throwing or hand-building required.
Experience required Lunch included
ONCE EVERY TWO MONTH
The Fire Day
GLAZING - COMMUNITY
Once a month, the atelier opens for stage participants to glaze their pieces and take them home fired. A few hours, good company, and the satisfaction of seeing your work come to life. Pieces rest at the atelier for up to 3 months — after that, they return to the earth.
Booking required
The same principles that guided the Zürich studio continue in Cornol: groups limited to six, glazes developed and lab-tested in-house, and a slow, attentive approach to the wheel — rarely taught in Switzerland.
HOW TO GET THERE Cornol, Jura suisse — closer than you think.
A pottery tradition in Cornol dating back to the 16th century. Fields, forest and silence — 1 hour from Basel, 1h20 from Berne, 1h50 from Zürich, 2h40 from Geneva by car. Free transport included from Courgeney train station.
from Basel
1h by train and car
from Zürich
2h by train
1h50 by car
from Bern
1h30 by train
1h20 by car
from Geneva
2h40 by train and by car
FROM PAST STUDENTS★★★★★
"Having tried several pottery studios in Zurich, I can highly recommend Clay & Tao. Individual focus, warm atmosphere — and I've learnt to recenter myself in this space."
Google review · Zürich"Einfach ein toller, chilliger Ort. Alexandra hat eine Engelsgeduld und zeigt ganz sanft die Richtung. Die Resultate machen einfach nur Spass."
Google review"Most amazing and relaxing experience ever! Alex is the sweetest and most patient person — you'll learn so much as a beginner."
Google review