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You’ll shape your own piece entirely by hand, without a wheel, then burnish its surface with a smooth stone until it begins to shine.
This way of working comes from Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, where it has been passed from person to person for more than 3,000 years.
I keep each group small so I can work closely with everyone.
I’m coming back to Casa Gira in Copenhagen to teach six workshops this December. They’re part of my tour through Northern Europe and Switzerland, from August to December 2026.
Six workshops · 4 hours each · in English
Choose your session
Choose one of six independent sessions. Each ticket is for one complete 4-hour workshop in English. All times are local Copenhagen time.
Friday 11 December
17:30–21:30
Saturday 12 December
10:30–14:30
Sunday 13 December
10:30–14:30 or 16:30–20:30
Monday 14 December
Tickets
A special price that won’t go up.
1,100 DKK for bookings from Monday 7 December.
Everything will be ready when you arrive
Your ticket includes clay, materials, tools and the firing of your piece.
Open to beginners, experienced ceramicists and artists.
Come with a friend, partner or family member, or join us on your own, as many participants do.
Hi, I’m Iván.
I’m a Mexican-German ceramicist. I lead every session myself, so when you arrive, I’ll be there to welcome you, share the stories and work alongside you.
The way I teach is shaped by what I learned in Ixtlán and by my years at ESAD Toulon in France, where I graduated and worked as a ceramics tutor from 2022 to 2024.
I learned this way of working in Ixtlán from Amelia Aquino, the town’s last traditional potter. The short trailer below offers a glimpse of her life and work.
Amelia: Tesoros vivos del barro · Official trailer · 1:59
The documentary grew from footage I filmed while studying with Amelia in 2021. Innovando la Tradición later developed it into the full 28-minute film.
In 2024, it was an official selection at the Morelia International Film Festival and was screened at Docs Oaxaca. The film has also been shown elsewhere in Mexico, in other parts of Latin America, in the United States and across Europe.
Story · Shape · Burnish
What we’ll do together
We begin with the story
Then we shape
After a short pause, we burnish
One piece, made by you
After the workshop
Your piece will stay at Casa Gira Ceramics to dry and be fired. It should be ready to collect around 4–6 weeks after your workshop, in January. Pieces won’t be ready before Christmas.
Shared in small groups across 43 cities and communities
Since 2022, I’ve shared this workshop across eleven countries in Europe and Latin America.
See every place where I’ve shared the workshop
What past participants remember
“I had never tried pottery or modelling, and Iván’s film about Amelia was a revelation for me, so I decided to sign up. The workshop was perfect, full of meaning and warmth. It was an unforgettable and unique experience.”
Anne-Laure Denans
Mauricette Cantine · Le Plan-de-la-Tour, France
October 2025 · Translated and lightly shortened from French
“What a wonderful experience! This way of making pottery was completely new to me, and Iván explained the story behind it with so much passion and honesty that I was completely captivated. Thank you for the inspiring workshop!”
Adriana Krasnici
Leo Atelier · Kreuzlingen TG, Switzerland
October 2025 · Translated and lightly shortened from German
Part of every workshop returns to Ixtlán
La Comalita was founded in June 2025. Children, young people and adults meet there three times a week to learn and work with clay, and the school is free for everyone in the community.
That contribution helps cover materials and the school’s weekly activities.
Rodolfo Pérez and I both learned from Amelia. Today, Rodolfo leads La Comalita’s weekly sessions in Ixtlán, in collaboration with Innovando la Tradición. I work alongside him whenever I’m there, and these workshops allow me to keep contributing while I’m away.
A glimpse of the school's activities in Ixtlán
Nørrebro · Copenhagen
At Casa Gira Ceramics
Casa Gira Ceramics
Jagtvej 76
2200 København N
Denmark
Near Nørrebros Runddel (M3)
You can find the studio on Instagram @casagiraceramics.
How your booking works
1 · Choose your session
2 · Complete the payment
3 · Check your email
Your confirmation includes your session, the address and practical details. Please check your spam folder if it doesn’t arrive.
A few practical things
Do I need to bring anything?
No. The clay and materials will be ready, along with all the tools you’ll use during the workshop.
How much clay will I have, and how many pieces will I make?
You’ll work with around 400 g of clay to make one medium-sized piece, such as a generous cup, bowl or another simple vessel.
When will my piece be ready, and where do I collect it?
Can my piece be shipped?
We don’t offer shipping. If you need your piece sent, please arrange for someone to collect it at the studio and ship it to you independently.
What language is the workshop in?
Can children join?
The workshop is mainly for adults. Children from around age 8 or 9 may join with a parent or responsible adult if they enjoy focused, hands-on activities and can follow the workshop in English without an adult translating. The session lasts 4 hours, so it may not suit every child.
What should I know about firing?
Can I change or cancel my ticket?
If you cancel or can’t attend, your ticket is non-refundable. If you’d like to move your booking to another Copenhagen session, please email me at least ten calendar days before your workshop. I’ll check what’s available when I read your message and confirm by email if we can make the change.
If the new session costs more, you’ll need to pay the difference by PayPal or in cash on the day of your new workshop. If it costs less, the difference isn’t refundable.