Venetian Plastering Training for Wells

Wells is a small city with big heritage, and anyone here who works with walls will find that Venetian plastering training opens up a different class of job. The courses are taught at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, which means a trip from Somerset, but the skill goes straight back into the kind of buildings Wells is full of.

This is for local decorators, plasterers, builders and restorers, for people in nearby villages thinking about a change of trade, and for owners of old houses who would like to understand the craft behind a good lime wall.

Decorative plaster in and around Wells

Wells is often described as the smallest city in England. Its cathedral, the moated Bishop's Palace and the medieval houses of Vicars' Close give the centre a character that attracts visitors all year, and the streets around the Market Place are lined with old stone and rendered buildings.

Solid stone walls are the norm in a place like this, and they are happiest with materials that let moisture escape. Lime plaster does that, and Marmorino belongs to the same lime tradition. For an owner of a period house, a hand finished lime wall is a better partner for the building than a coat of plastic paint.

The surrounding Somerset countryside adds stone cottages, farmhouse conversions and barn conversions, which bring many large rooms with rough or irregular walls. These are the places where a decorator with a plaster skill can bring in something special.

Visitors keep local guest houses, pubs, cafes and small hotels busy, and each of them has an interest in an interior that feels distinctive. In kitchens and bathrooms of renovated cottages, tadelakt and microcement give a waterproof surface that still looks hand made.

How the three courses differ

Beginner is for starting from scratch, Advanced for those with grounding or site experience, and 1 to 1 for anyone who wants private tuition on a finish of their choice. See the schedule and sign up for dates on the training page.

• Beginner Course is 3 days and £750 per person. No experience needed.
• Advanced Course is 4 days and £1,200 per person. It follows the Beginner Course or suits people from site.
• 1 to 1 Training is 3 days and £1,500 for one student. Any level, any topic.

The Advanced Course includes artificial rock, textured Marmorino and tinting, while the 1 to 1 course can be shaped around something specific such as liquid metal. The article inside the Beginner course shows what a first course feels like.

Getting from Wells to Birmingham

Birmingham is central in England, and people from Somerset get there by train or by car. For a course that runs from 10am to 5pm for three or four days, you will need somewhere to sleep.

Zavoré keeps a partner rate at a hotel near the Academy. Quote our name when you book. If you would rather not drive on a long day, we can arrange pickup from an airport or station, with a price that depends on where you arrive. Materials, tools, lunch and refreshments are all included.

Back in Wells with a new skill

Once home, you buy Zavoré materials at trade pricing and carry a set of finished panels to show customers. You can also lean on the private course group and the helpline when a tricky old wall has you stuck.

A Wells decorator might offer lime plaster for a cottage hallway or a polished feature wall in a new extension. The page for Venetian plastering in Wells shows how Zavoré works in the area, and starting a decorative plastering career is worth reading if you are weighing up the change.

Questions about Venetian plastering training for Wells

Do you run Venetian plastering courses in Wells, Somerset?

No. All courses are taught at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, and students from Wells and the surrounding Somerset countryside travel there for the 3 or 4 days.

I am a self employed decorator in Somerset. Is the Beginner Course enough to start offering Venetian plaster?

It gives you the full foundations, including preparation, base coats, textures, systems and the main finishes, along with panels to show clients. You can then build up practice on your own jobs with the helpline behind you.

What is the difference between lime based and acrylic Venetian plaster?

Lime based plasters are breathable and traditional, while acrylic polish plastering is a different system with its own behaviour. The Advanced Course teaches how acrylic polish plastering differs from lime.

Is there a discount on materials after the course?

Graduates get trade pricing on Zavoré materials after the course. We do not quote a percentage here, so ask when you book.

To reserve a seat, phone 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Half the price holds a bench, and the rest is paid on the day. Find dates on the training page.