This one-month experience will offer two artists from Puerto Rico, focused on the medium of ceramics, the opportunity to travel to Penland in the mountains of Western North Carolina to participate in a two-week internship at Córdova Studios followed by a two-week hands-on ceramic workshop at Penland School of Craft.

Two weeks internship at Córdova Studios, ceramic workshop at Penland School of Craft, travel, lodging, food, and a weekly stipend are included.

NEXT INTERNSHIP:

JUNE 29, 2026 - July 24, 2026

From June 29 to July 10 two weeks internship with Cristina Córdova at Córdova Studios and from July 12 to July 24, two weeks workshop Exploring Molds and Multiples with Daniel Garver at Penland School of Craft.

Deadline for application: April 10, 2026
Participants will be selected by a panel and will be notified by May 5, 2026. 

To complete your application click HERE or click the button:

APPLY HERE

OFFERING:

Two-Week Internship at Córdova Studios

During this two-week internship, you will join Cristina Córdova at her studio in Penland, becoming part of the daily rhythm of a working ceramic practice. You will assist with the many facets of running a studio, from construction to surface development and finishing work.

Each intern will have a dedicated workspace and access to the clay body of their choice to develop their own pieces alongside the studio experience. In addition to the figurative construction and glazing techniques shared at Córdova Studios, interns will visit two local ceramics studios to learn about production pottery and large-scale vessel construction.

Throughout our time together, we will maintain an open dialogue—discussing ideas, answering questions, offering constructive feedback, and reflecting on what it means to build and sustain a meaningful studio practice.

Ceramic Workshop at Penland School of Craft

During this two-week workshop at Penland School of Craft, participants immerse themselves in an intensive ceramic experience led by invited teaching artists. Each year, workshop topics and instructors vary, but all sessions are deeply focused on ceramics.

Workshops are the core of Penland’s educational program. The school offers immersive craft experiences of varying lengths, designed for makers at all skill levels. These workshops serve educators, full-time studio artists, and individuals who are simply committed to living creative lives.

In the next edition summer 2026, the two weeks workshop will be Exploring Molds and Multiples with Daniel Garver.

Travel

Round-trip airfare will be provided from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. Ground transportation to and from Penland will also be arranged and covered.

Equipment and Materials

At Córdova Studios, interns will have access to 50 pounds of clay, along with full use of the studio facilities, including kilns, spray booth, and sandblaster. A wide range of raw materials for slip and glaze testing will also be available.

All materials for the workshop at Penland School of Craft are included as part of the program.

Meals and Lodging

Penland School of Craft will provide all meals and lodging, which includes a shared bedroom and bathroom.

Stipend

Interns will receive a stipend of $200 per week ($800 total) to help offset additional personal expenses during the program.

REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION:

Artist must be from Puerto Rico (resident of Puerto Rico), currently living and working on the island.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
Artist must submit the full application on or before the deadline stipulated for each edition.

Participants will be selected by a panel and will be notified between 2 and 1.5 months before the starting date.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions to figurativeceramics@gmail.com.

APPLY HERE

COLLABORATORS:

We see this opportunity as a way to provide support and access to the creative community in Puerto Rico. The project was originally made possible through funding from Crafting the Future and Penland School of Craft in collaboration with Córdova Studios. It is now a joint effort between Penland School of Craft and Córdova Studios (CSFC)

Crafting the Future (CTF) connects BIPOC artists with opportunities that will help them succeed in the fields of art, craft, and design. This non-profit's mission is to introduce more diversity to the craft arena by connecting people to professional opportunities like internships and commissions that will help establish their networks and plant roots in the community.

Penland School of Craft is an international craft education center located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Workshops are based on the principle that total immersion is the most effective way to learn and that the workshop experience is enhanced by close interaction and sharing knowledge.

Founded in 2003 by Cristina Córdova, a figurative ceramic artist from Puerto Rico, Córdova Studios is a full-time studio dedicated to creating and teaching ceramics.

PAST EDITIONS:

Here are highlights from previous editions of the De Puerto Rico a Penland Internship, a transformative experience that connects emerging artists from Puerto Rico with immersive learning opportunities at Penland and Córdova Studios.