Learning through making: The second “Materie di Studio” workshop cycle with Elena Rausse

Within the framework of the Horizon Europe project HEPHAESTUS, the Materie di Studio initiative introduces a different approach to learning for students at the Venice School of Management—one that complements theoretical knowledge with direct, hands-on engagement with materials, tools, and making processes.

The programme is structured into three workshop cycles, each consisting of three sessions and led by a different craft practitioner. Together, they explore diverse domains of production, offering students the opportunity to experience how knowledge is generated through practice.

The ceramics cycle: a continuous learning experience

The second workshop cycle, focused on ceramics, took place on 7, 17, and 24 April 2026 and was led by Elena Rausse.

Rather than being conceived as separate sessions, the workshops formed a single, continuous experience. The same group of 12 students participated throughout the entire cycle, allowing them to gradually build familiarity with materials, techniques, and processes, while developing a deeper understanding over time.

Who participated and how

The workshops were open to BA and MA students of the Venice School of Management, who could apply through an open call and indicate their preferred workshop cycle. Due to the limited number of places, participation could not be guaranteed to all applicants.

For the ceramics cycle, 12 students were selected, and all attended the full sequence of sessions, ensuring continuity and engagement across the learning process.

Learning objectives: engaging with making

The main objective of the workshop was to allow management students to engage directly with the practical and embodied dimension of production. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical perspectives, the initiative encourages students to understand how making unfolds through materials, gestures, tools, and constraints.

Through this experience, participants explored:

• how materials behave and transform
• the role of tools and manual skills
• the importance of sequencing, adjustments, and iteration
• how knowledge emerges through hands-on practice

Working with ceramics: process and outcomes

Under the guidance of Elena Rausse, students worked directly with clay, tools, and fundamental ceramic techniques. The process followed the full lifecycle of creating a ceramic object: starting from a technical drawing, moving to model development, producing a plaster cast, and hand-sculpting a positive mould.

In the final stage, students decorated a second piece, allowing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of ceramic production. The outcomes of the workshop were both practical and reflective: students produced ceramic artefacts while also developing a deeper awareness of the material and process-driven nature of making.