The Clay Retreat
Receive expert teaching and get the chance to experience the meditating effect of working with clay.
This retreat is a 6-day pottery retreat, combined with food and relaxation.
Whether you are a complete beginner or want to refine your existing skills, this pottery retreat is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in your practice and meet other ceramics aficionados
The hotel, Casa Paço D’Ilhas is a little gem, located just outside of Ericeira Village, near the world-renowned surf spot Ribeira D’Ilhas. You will be pampered with nourishing, healthy, locally sourced food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Casa Paço d’Ilhas is a magical hideaway and the perfect location. Combining an eclectic mix with their natural setting, heritage buildings, bohemian design, stunning locally sourced organic food, the fresh ocean air, a passionate team and lashings of bon vivant charm - both the farmhouse and lush garden create an atmospheric delight. As soon as you walk through the gate, you will understand the unique and intimate setting, so different from any other retreat venue.
They are food fanatics! They work with locally sourced and organic products wherever they can to create imaginative, hearty and delicious menus for the retreat. A varied lunch spread of quiches, salads, grilled veggies and local bread; or delicious dinners with flavours from all around the world. Their cuisine is notorious and they take great pride in exceeding the expectations of their guests over and over again!
The clay studio is situated in the beautiful pool house. While working on the wheel you will be able to enjoy the amazing view over the pool and lush garden of Casa Paço D'ilhas.
THE VENUE
CASA PACO D’ILHAS, ERICEIRA
THE TEAM
HOST & CO-TEACHER
My name is Gaëlle Van Branteghem, I moved to Ericeira in 2017 and was ‘forced’ to rediscover myself and what I want to do in life besides being a devoted mom. I went to a ceramics workshop and knew immediately that I wanted to discover more about the world of ceramics. By coincidence, I started talking to a local ceramist in Mafra, Sr. Paulo, and asked him if he wanted to teach me the techniques of wheel-thrown pottery. I fell in love with the wheel the moment I started. I knew I wanted to continue with this craftmanship and grow in my passion. I continued my learning process with Sr. Paulo and invested in my own wheel. Step by step I improved and founded Gaëlle Ceramica.
HEAD CERAMIST
Silvi De Jaeger was born in Ghent, studied ceramics at St Lucas and left Belgium in 1996 to start working as a professional thrower in production potteries in Wales and Ireland, after that she had her own studio and shop in Wales. Together with her husband she opened a B&B with a ceramics studio in Bulgaria and now lives in Portugal since 2019 where she is continuing her inspiring path in ceramics. Silvi is a hands-on teacher who inspires and helps the guests at the pottery retreat to learn about ceramics and improve their skills whether they are beginners or experienced.
RETREATS INFO & BOOKING
POTTERY RETREATS 2024
12.05 - 18.05. - SOLD OUT
18.05 - 24.05 - SOLD OUT
14.10. - 20.10. - 4 spots available ( 4 beginner)
20.10. - 26.10. - 7 spots available ( 7 beginner)
SCHEDULE
All packages include a 6-night stay at Casa Paço D’Ilhas guesthouse with a daily breakfast buffet, lunch, and dinner. In addition, the entire property is reserved for the pottery retreat guests with two swimming pools, a huge garden, a restaurant/bar and chill-out areas.
We will host two groups of 8 people as of October 2024 for the workshops: 8 beginners and 8 intermediate to advanced throwers. The two groups will be switched in the middle of the week to each have some mornings and afternoons off.
The guests with no experience will be guided by Gaëlle from Gaëlle Ceramica, the more experienced throwers will have workshops with Silvi!
PROGRAM
DAY 1 Check-in at 16h - welcome drink around 18h.
DAY 2 09.30h - 13:30h & 15:00h - 19:00h - THE POTTER’S WHEEL
DAY 3 09.30h - 13:30h & 15:00 - 19:00 - THE POTTER’S WHEEL and a visit to a local 'OLARIA' (2 seperate visits for the 2 groups).
DAY 4 09.30h - 13:30h & 15:00h - 19:00h THE POTTER'S WHEEL
DAY 5 09.30h - 13:30h & 15:00h - 19:00h THE POTTER'S WHEEL
DAY 6 09.30h - 12:00h & 14:00h - 16:30h THE POTTER'S WHEEL 17:00h Sunset FIRING
DAY 7 BREAKFAST AND CHECK OUT at 11 h.
*Drinks, flight and transport to the retreat are not included, please contact us if you need help with arriving.
POTTERY PIECES
We will fire up to 4 pieces per person at the end of the retreat, glaze them and send them to people’s home address for an additional shipping cost.
BOOKING POLICY
50% deposit payment via bank transfer to secure your spot upon booking and the remaining 50% payment 2 months before the start of the Pottery Retreat.
Local council tourist tax of 2€ per night per person is to be paid separately upon check-out.
Cancellation over 6 weeks before arrival: the guest is refunded 50% of the total amount.
Cancellation less than 6 weeks before arrival: no refund.
*Prices include VAT, full board (without drinks) and unlimited Wi-Fi included.
FREE TIME
During the day there is free time to unwind at the pool or enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Ericeira with its world-renowned beaches.
There is also the possibility to book extra activities outside the retreat program such as: surfing, on-site massages, yoga, mountainbiking, hiking and winetasting.
Please let us know what you would like to do before the retreat starts, to plan the activity.
Non-Clay guests can not participate in the workshops, but we can help organize activities for an additional cost.
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Stay in a single or double bed in a shared house
3 guests: €1225/p.p single bed - €1349/p.p double bed
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Stay in a room with two separate single beds:
Garden room, private bathroom: €1449/p.p
Main house room, shared bathroom: €1349/p.p.
Single occupancy 1549 euro.
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Ocean view, private bathroom:
€1649 single occupation - €3049 double occupation
Garden room, private bathroom:
€1499 single occupation - €2799 double occupation
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3 bedrooms: two double and one single bedroom - shared bathroom
2 guests: €1649/p.p.
3 guests: €1449/p.p. (single bed) - €1549/p.p. (double bed)
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€1049/p.p. (sharing room with participating partner)
How to get to Ericeira from Lisbon
RENTAL CAR
This is for sure the most convenient way to move around and stay flexible throughout your trip. Portugal is known for its budget deals on rental cars. http://www.rentalcars.com
PRIVATE TRANSFER
We can arrange a private transfer for you from Lisbon airport, which is often possible to share with other retreat guests. (Lisbon Airport-Ericeira: 60€/single). Uber is also a good option.
BY BUS
All the Portuguese roads are well connected by bus and this is a good option for budget-minded travellers.
http://www.mafrense.pt