Workshops Leiden – Fleur van den Berg: glass, clay and tableware

Create in a professional artist's studio

Workshops Leiden takes place in visual artist Fleur van den Berg's studio at Kunstcentrum Haagweg 4. This is not a standard hobby room with one fixed example, but a professional workspace for glass, ceramics, textiles, wax, moulds and other visual materials. Specialist knowledge, tools and personal guidance make the offer relevant to beginners and experienced makers.

Group size

Most group workshops are intended for eight to twenty-two participants. Smaller groups can often take part but generally pay the minimum charge for eight. Above twenty-two, Fleur may involve colleagues, find a larger room or combine activities. Coloured clay normally accommodates up to sixteen people.

Paint tableware

Each participant selects a plate, bowl, mug, serving dish or box in advance. The workshop lasts around 2.5 hours and costs €60 per person. It uses a food-safe, non-toxic glaze. The work is fired at around 1020 degrees and can normally be collected one to two weeks later for use as functional tableware.

Free-form glass fusing

The free-form glass workshop lasts 2.5 to 3 hours and costs €55 per person. Participants learn basic glass cutting and create an individual design from coloured pieces. Maximum size is roughly 14 by 30 or 18 by 18 centimetres. The work is fused at around 720–780 degrees and is ready one to two weeks later.

Glass tile

The tile workshop lasts around two hours and costs €50 per person. A 15 by 15 centimetre design is made using Bullseye glass. The piece must be fired and cannot go home immediately. Special colours containing gold can be added through a separate gold box with published surcharges of €75 or €150 excluding VAT.

Shared glass artwork

The celebration workshop lasts around 3.5 hours and costs €60 per person. The group chooses a theme, creates separate designs and combines them into one shared glass artwork. It suits anniversaries, birthdays, farewells and hen parties. Size is agreed with the group. After firing, the piece can be collected or sometimes delivered for an additional charge.

Coloured clay

Coloured clay lasts around two hours, costs €55 per person and accommodates eight to sixteen participants. Guests learn hand-building and use pigments to colour the clay. The finish is more matte than traditionally glazed tableware. The work must dry and be fired, while a glossy layer can be added for an additional fee.

Felt flower

The felt workshop lasts two to two and a half hours and costs €45 per person. Coloured wool is used to create a flower that can be worn as a corsage. The session is delivered with Vivavilt. The result can go home immediately and finish drying there. Rijnsburg or another venue may sometimes be possible.

Longer courses

Longer glass and visual-art courses are also offered. A thirteen-session glass course costs €390 excluding glass and firing. A nine-session Friday course costs €325 excluding materials and firing. The eight-session Friday studio costs €320 and the eighteen-session visual-art course costs €590 excluding materials.

Additional material and firing costs

Most tools, coffee, tea and a snack are included in longer courses, but materials and kiln costs are not. The operator estimates roughly €100 to €250 in additional glass-course costs depending on size, technique, colour and working speed. Certain specialist machines can have a usage charge.

Experience and guidance

No experience is required for group workshops. Fleur demonstrates techniques, advises on materials and explains when an idea is not technically feasible while preserving the participant's own style. Longer visual courses are more self-directed and may require an introductory conversation before enrolment.

Food, drinks and languages

Coffee, tea and something sweet are included. Groups may bring food and drinks after consultation or order from Galerie Café De Leidse Lente in the same complex. More time should be reserved for a substantial lunch or drinks. Workshops are available in Dutch and English, with French by arrangement.

Collection and shipping

Many glass and ceramic pieces cannot go home immediately. They must dry, be fired and sometimes checked for stress or sharp edges. Glass and tableware are usually ready after one to two weeks; clay can take several weeks. Tourists who cannot return should ask about shipping or delivery and extra costs in advance.

Safety

Glass cutting, tools, ceramic dust and hot kilns require clear instruction. The teacher operates the kilns; participants do not independently handle hot equipment during a normal workshop. Closed shoes, tied-back long hair and clothes that may get dirty are sensible. The glaze is described as non-toxic and suitable during pregnancy, but medical uncertainty requires personal advice.

Access and accessibility

The studio is at Haagweg 4 A5, around a fifteen-minute walk from Leiden Centraal. Haagweg parking is directly beside the arts centre. An external profile describes a ground-floor studio with a high ceiling and broad doors. Wheelchair users should still ask about thresholds, an accessible toilet and workspace clearance.

Who is it best for?

The workshops suit groups of friends, families, teams, hen parties, birthdays and creative company outings. Courses suit participants wanting to develop a technique or personal project over several months. It is less suitable for a spontaneous two-person outing because of the minimum charge for eight and fixed course dates.

Our assessment

The main strength is the opportunity to work in a genuine professional studio with techniques beyond a simple craft session. Glass, ceramics, tableware and textile options provide broad choice, while testimonials praise personal instruction. Limitations are the eight-person minimum charge, later collection, possible material and shipping costs and the absence of daily walk-in sessions.