In a quiet valley of the Beskid Niski, we sink our hands into clay and learn to work on the wheel. We fire our pieces in a wood-fired kiln. We settle into a simpler rhythm of life — close to nature.
We run small, hands-on ceramic workshops in Czarne, a quiet village in southern Poland. This is a two-week immersive experience focused on wheel throwing. You don’t just attend classes — you live and work with us, sharing daily life. We stay in an old wooden house, cook together, and spend most of the day working with clay.
What you will do
- learn or develop wheel throwing skills (for beginners and more experienced potters – everyone works at their own wheel)
- go through the full ceramic process (forming, trimming, glazing and firing in a wood-fired kiln)
- make your own functional pieces
What it’s like
Life here is simple. We live in a valley, in an old wooden house, with animals around — dogs, cats, horses and chickens. There are no close neighbors — just shepherds and their sheep, who come here for the grazing season. For a few months, they become part of the landscape.
There is internet at home, but phone signal is limited. The nearest shop is a few kilometers away.
While you’re here, you might go for a walk in the forest, take a dip in the stream, ride a horse, or walk over to the shepherds for fresh cheese.
This place is for people who are comfortable with simple conditions and a slower pace of life. Here, you have time and space to work.
Practical information
- duration: 2 weeks
- location: Czarne, Beskid Niski, Poland
- group size: max. 8 people
- level: beginners and intermediate welcome
- accommodation: simple shared rooms (bring a sleeping bag)
- food: we cook together, taking turns
- workshop language: English
Getting there
If you’re flying, the easiest option is to fly to Kraków. From there, take a bus to Gorlice (2.5 hours) — we’ll pick you up from there.
If you’re coming by car, head towards the village of Czarne. We’ll send you the exact GPS location.
2026 dates
- 20 June – 3 July
- 18 – 31 July
- 22 August – 4 September
Price: €1200
The price includes accommodation, meals, all materials and tools, and the full ceramic process. Everything you make is yours to keep.
About us
Jurek, who leads the workshops, has been working with clay for nearly 30 years. He learned ceramics in the United States and the UK and has been running workshops in Czarne since 1999. He is an ethnographer by education and chose to settle in the Low Beskids, where he has lived ever since. Marysia moved here from Warsaw ten years ago and now runs the workshops together with Jurek.
How to join
Email us at: maryska_star@hotmail.com
Call us: +48 882 834 921
Find us on Facebook
Check our profile on Instagram
Places are limited.
What you will do
Daily life
The place
Fot. Kaja Wiącek-Kuczyńska
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the workshop located?
The workshop takes place in Czarne, a small village in the Low Beskids (Carpathian Mountains), southern Poland, right next to Magura National Park.
This is a quiet, rural region. The landscape feels open and wild with gentle mountains, wide meadows, beech forests and clear streams.
We are located near hiking trails, so hikers pass through the area. At the same time, this remains a lesser-known part of the Carpathians — with no typical tourist attractions, just nature and space.
Click to enlarge
How do I get to Czarne?
There is no public transport directly to Czarne.
If you are travelling by plane, the easiest option is to fly to Kraków, then take a bus to Gorlice (approx. 2.5 hours). We can pick you up from there.
The journey is part of the experience and is easier than it may seem — we will provide all the necessary information.
We can also help connect you with other participants so you can arrange a shared ride. There is usually someone coming from Kraków.
If you are coming by car, simply head towards Czarne — we will send you the exact GPS location.
What is the accommodation like?
It’s simple, authentic and rustic. We stay in an old wooden house, in shared rooms. You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag.
There is a bathroom with a shower and hot water, and a shared kitchen.
We also have a large terrace with a big table and a hammock — a good place to rest, eat together, or just slow down.
How are meals organised? What does it mean that we cook together?
We cook in a simple shared system. Each day, two people are responsible for preparing breakfast and lunch (we take turns).
Meals are simple, home-style. The hosts do the shopping and provide the ingredients.
Dinner is more flexible — everyone prepares something for themselves from what is available in the house. This also allows people to stay in the studio as long as they want.
You’re also free to make something for yourself whenever you like, not only at set meal times.
In a group of around eight people, you will usually be on cooking duty 2–3 times during the workshop.
You’ll see it’s actually good fun — it’s nice to cook for the group, and just as nice to have someone cook for you.
What should I bring?
Please bring:
- a sleeping bag
- a headlamp or flashlight (it’s really dark at night)
- clothes that can get dirty (clay and ash)
- warm layers (evenings can be cold)
- sturdy shoes
- a towel
- rubber boots can be useful, but we have some you can borrow if needed.
I am a complete beginner. Can I join?
Absolutely. Many of our participants have never touched clay before. During the workshops everyone works on their own wheel, so you can go at your own pace. Beginners are guided through the basics, while more experienced participants can work more independently.
What is the daily rhythm of the workshop?
In the morning, two people prepare breakfast (we take turns). Meal times (breakfast and lunch) are agreed together at the beginning of the workshop.
After breakfast, we walk to the studio (about 10 minutes) and work there until lunch. We go back to the house to eat and rest for a while, then return to the studio and continue working into the evening.
Everyone has access to the studio and can stay as long as they like. Time with Jurek, who leads the workshops, is usually around six hours per day, but you can also work independently.
Around the middle of the workshop, there is more free time, as some pieces need to dry before firing. This is a good moment for rest, walks, or short trips. We also have bicycles you can use.
During firings, we work in pairs and take turns keeping the kiln going. On the last day, we open the kiln together and take out the finished pieces.
What is included in the price?
The price includes guidance and support, materials (clay, glazes), kiln firings, accommodation, and meals. We can also arrange a pickup from Gorlice if needed.
How do I book a place?
Write to us: maryska_star (at) hotmail.com
or via Facebook
Call us: +48 882 834 921
To confirm your place, we ask for a deposit of 200 EUR. The remaining amount can be paid by bank transfer or in cash on arrival. Invoice can be provided on request.
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If you decide to join us, we’ll be happy to have you here. We believe you’ll feel at home here if this way of working and living suits you. You can always write to us if anything is unclear or you have questions.