RESIDENCY

Q&A

TRAVEL QUESTIONS

Which airport to fly into Latvia?

There is only one :) Rix airport in capital city Riga, 70km from the studio.

How do I arrive at your place from the airport?

When arriving at RIX airport please buy a bus ticket or install mobile app Mobilly (code ticket online costs only 1.50eur) to the RIGA CITY CENTRE (13.janvara iela).

Opposite this bus stop will be the central bus station (AUTOOSTA).

Here you go to platform 6 and get a bus to BAUSKA (will cost 3.05eur either from the driver or from the station, also the inter-city bus ticket can be purchased on the Mobilly app in advance).

How will I get around to do my shopping and travel?

Some people choose to rent the car- car rental is around 500eur/month.

Alternatively, we offer our car service too:

Pick-up from Bauska bus station (25eur)

Pick-up from RIX airport (70eur)

write to us when making a reservation to arrange a pick-up!

There is cheap and widely available public transport around the country as well as decent taxi service.

Bus schedule from Bauska to Riga and back https://www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu-autobusi/bauskas-ao/janu-krogs/105624/102692

The nearest bus stop ( Jāņukrogs) to the Bauska is a 30-minute walk away. Bus schedule from Jāņukrogs to Bauska

https://www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu-autobusi/janu-krogs/bauskas-ao/102692/105624

Taxi service Bauska - STUDIO

+371 2 0449771 (WhatsApp him, he already knows to bring foreigners to our farm so he will know when you say “Laima Ceramics”.

Please simply enter LAIMA CERAMICS in google and follow through with your navigation app (Waze or google maps).

What to bring along?

There is bedding and basic kitchen equipment provided as well as basic selection of ceramic tools. 

Please bring your:

  1. slippers for indoor use

  2. slip-in outdoor shoes (like crocs or sandals)(or wellington boots if it is autumn/early spring)

  3. your apron

  4. any special tools for pottery

  5. For autumn/spring term- Weather in Autumn/Spring can be rainy and windy. Latvia is 40% forests and nature tourism is one of the best things to do around. Bring appropriate clothing for the season!

  6. your yoga matt, any sports equipment

  7. Towel

  8. please note- we dont use throwing bats, if you need them- take along!

What kind of electricity plug there is in Latvia?

Latvia is a standard European plug.

Is there meals/food provided for the course duration?

No, sadly we don't yet have a cook on site to provide full service, there is a shared kitchen though to make your own meals, and the schedule allows plenty time to prepare your meals too.

Where I can do my food shopping?

We recommend the farmers market in Bauska for local seasonal vegetables, meat and fish. And Rimi shopping mall has everything else. There is also a small seasoning shop in Bauska.

Please do your food shopping before you arrive at the studio. The nearest shop next to Bauska Bus Station is the mini Rimi. If you arrive by car, it will be more convenient for you to shop at hypermarket Rimi.

I personally try to use as much local, seasonal, wholegrain, plant-based and zero-waste food as possible and that is quite affordable, especially when shopping in the local farmers market.

POTTERY WORK QUESTIONS

What would a regular day look like for me?

The artist residency is fully self-directed so you decide how to organise your time here. Studio is available from 9am till 9pm daily, so feel free to work as much or as little as you like there.

How much guidance/contact time do I get?

We include welcome tour and basic intro to materials/equipment at the start of your residency to introduce you to the equipment and guided tour around the premises.

The rest of your stay here is fully self-directed. You may book individual lessons during your stay, but if you feel you will need more guidance please reach out beforehand so a comprehensive course structure may be devised for you individually.

We also have a fantastic guest lecturer Laura, who teaches traditional pinch pot coil-building skills and reduction wood firing.

What kind of firings will we have? Will I be able to pack and fire kilns?

There is an electric kilns in the studio space so whenever it is full it can be fired up, generally we fire at least twice per week ( 1 bisque to 980 C, 1 glaze fire 1260 C)- each firing takes 2.5 days to heat and cool down.

The wood, raku and reduction gas firings at Laima Ceramics studio are on an irregular basis and dependent on the type of commissions we get. We can discuss before or during your stay to see if you would like to join any of the speciality firings and if it is possible in the timeframe.

How much cleaning will I have to do?

  • During your practice: leave your working area (wheel, glaze room, the large table ) in as good condition as you found it every time it is used. There is hoover and mop around - use it often to minimize dust and health hazards ceramic dust poses. 

  •  As this is an active working studio, there is a requirement to keep all areas nice and clean at all times. 

  • Organise your daily tasks in such a way as to allow cleanup at the end of each working day to hoover and mop the area.

*Shared space is to be kept clean and orderly. If you are unable to follow through- we reserve the right to book a cleaning service- 20eur/h cleaning fee applies.

How do you manage reclaim?

Everyone takes care of their own reclaim. There are several buckets for different colour stoneware bodies and 2 plaster bats for drying the reclaim.

If you don't know how to process reclaim, then we do it for you, but that means you don't get to re-use your leftovers.

Are there throwing bats for wheel?

No we don’t have/ don’t use a bat system for throwing. Throwing is directly on the wheel head. If you have/need bat system you might want to consider bringing them along. 

Other basic tools are here but please take any specialty hand tools you might need.

 

How about glazing? Will I get pre-mixed glazes? Will I be able to use STUDIO glazes?

There are a selection with pre-mixed studio glazes to choose from for your use, see here.

How many people work for the studio?

There are 4 people at the core of this company

Laima - maker/designer, doing all the wheel-throwing, marketing and photography

Krišjānis - doing photography, graphic design, woodwork and taking care of the household

Oksana- assistant

Vēsma- Laima’s mum, doing all the book-keeping and finances

Please keep in mind these costs:

  • Porcelain Audrey Blackman 12,5kg - 40eur

  • stoneware (white/speckled/grey/black) (sibelco/witgert) 10kg - 15eur

  • firing 200-litre kiln up to 1280° C (2336 F) 90€ (+50eur per kiln load for pre-mixed glaze)

  • firing 200-litre kiln up to 980° C 80€


    TOURISM AND FREE-TIME QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE the socialising/travel opportunities?

The studio is located 20km from the town of Bauska and only 70km from the capital Riga. You are very welcome to use your weekend for exploring the country (there is convenient and cheap public transport everywhere). If we do any sightseeing trips and/or ceramic opportunities (e.g. firing a kiln at another pottery, ceramic conference, exhibition etc.) we invite the apprentices to join. However, the studio is located “middle of nowhere” so there is a sort of bubble feeling here where you need to make a certain effort to get out of the farm and start exploring the surroundings.  If you need a lot of socialisation this place might not be for you!

 

What other activities can I enjoy around the studio?

·     There are yoga classes in Bauska.

·     There is a sauna next to the studio.

·     Walking/cycling/long-distance skiing (in winter).

What amenities there are?

  • Central heating

  • Shower, washing machine

  • Electric stove, electric oven, refrigerator

  • Bed linen

  • Fireplace

  • Handmade tableware, blender, electric kettle, french press, moka espresso pot

  • wifi

WE DON’T PROVIDE: ironing board, microwave, dish-washer, dryer, juicer, coffee-machine, toaster, towels.

 

Are there any potentially dangerous animals in Latvia?

We have mosquitoes in the summertime, but they don't come into the house if we keep the windows closed and they don't carry any disease.

There are ticks (that carry encephalitis and lime disease). Please always check your body (March-October) after coming in from the garden to notice any ticks while they are still crawling.

There are no other dangerous animals here.

If lucky you may see some deer, fox, badger, moose, mice and lots of birds in the countryside.

MONEY QUESTIONS

WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I MIGHT HAVE?

Food expenses in Latvia are around 300eur per month. We recommend the farmers market in Bauska for local seasonal vegetables, meat and fish. And Rimi shopping mall has everything else. There is also a small seasoning shop in Bauska. For speciality shopping, I recommend you go to Riga to larger supermarkets and slow-food markets.

The nearest shop next to Bauska Bus Station is the mini Rimi. If you arrive by car, it will be more convenient for you to shop at hypermarket Rimi.

For other items: in Bauska there are few second-hand shops and few low-quality shops, but most people go to Riga (just 1h drive from Bauska) for larger shopping.

 How will I transport my pieces home?

Most people take an extra baggage allowance for their return trip or can be delivered to your address with EMS or DPD courier. Price can be calculated at the end.

You are responsible for all customs and import duties that may be applicable. We are not responsible for damaged goods during delivery or any delays in delivery

After your residency, all pieces can be packed and shipped to your address. You will be able to book a session with our packing magician Oksana. She can either teach and show you how it is done or pack your work for you. (20eur/hour +packing materials)

All pieces must be biscuit fired and glazed 1 week before the end of your stay to give plenty of time to do the final high-fire glaze. The final firing must be loaded 3 days before departure so you can unpack the kiln yourself and enjoy the miracle of unpacking your own firing!

FOR SHORT STAY RESIDENTS- (1-2 weeks rental)- we can arrange to fire and glaze your work after your departure- hourly wage will apply.

To plan your time well here consider this making cycle : 

1day throwing+1day trimming+3days drying+2days biscuit +1day glazing+3days glaze fire + leaving pieces to be packed and sent= 11days . 11 days is how long it takes to get a piece from start to finish.

This means if you are coming for 3-4weeks, you should end active making 11 days before departure.

Can you help with taking photos/ video of my work?

Yes, Krišjānis is a photographer so he can do both a lesson for you or a photoshoot for yourself and/or your pottery. The photoshoot costs are starting from 60eur/hour.

What additional lessons could I take?

  • wheel-throwing (especially porcelain or making thinner work)

  • hand-building (coiling large scale pieces)

  • raku firing (horse hair, obvara, naked raku)

  • gas firing (1280 C reduction)

  • wood-firing (1100 C reduction)

  • glazes- especially special effect glazes like crater, crawl, crystalline glazes

  • sgraffito

  • setting up website or Etsy shop

  • advice on social media use

  • product photography

  • advice on setting up a studio, choosing equipment

We also give lessons about horsemanship and communicating with horses. Feel free to enquire.

Congratulations for making until the end to this extensive page.

If you have more questions please reach out to us via email.

Warmest wishes,

Laima & co