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This retreat focuses on learning to let go, allowing things to unfold naturally in full presence and conscious awareness while creating clay objects. Participants will spend time both in the studio and outside of it, discovering the island, meeting locals, tasting traditional food, and relaxing at The Grapevine House or The Lemon House, bringing all these experiences into the creative process. There are no obligations, musts, or strict schedules—only the desire to be present. The retreat also includes a planned day trip to one of the island's notable sites.
The Grapevine House is a charming 80 m2 guest house, where history and comfort blend in sweet harmony. This delightful house, built in the 19th century, was renovated by Aegina Retreats with great care and respect to its original features while making sure they added all basic necessities to make it a functional 21st-century house. The double bedroom features an original painted ceiling - a touch of elegance that offers character, and its original wooden floor provides a sense of nostalgia and authenticity.
The large living room is a true centerpiece, showcasing an old wooden press embedded in the wall, serving as a reminder of the island's rich agricultural history and adding a rustic charm to the space. Relax in this cozy living area and let your imagination wander as you contemplate the stories and traditions associated with it. For those seeking additional space for rest or work, there's a converted cellar that can serve as a second bedroom or a study, but you will have to duck to enter it.
The house has its own history. It was built in the mid-late 19th century and belonged to the great-grandfather of the current landlord. It is believed that Saint Nectarios of Aegina, the island's patron saint and renowned healer, stayed in this very house during his initial visit in the early 20th century. The presence of such a revered figure adds a spiritual and sacred ambiance to the property. In the past, bathrooms and kitchens were separate from the main house, which explains their small size, as they were incorporated into the main structure quite a bit later. A reminder of the evolution of living spaces over time.
As you explore the house, you'll notice a mix of furniture items that have been cherished and passed down through generations, and lovingly restored by Aegina Retreats. They have added books, objects, and art pieces gathered over the years and travels of our own to make your stay even cozier. This eclectic blend adds a sense of personal touch and showcases the owners' dedication to preserving the house's character and history.
Embrace the beauty of this guest house, immerse yourself in its tranquil atmosphere, relax under the painted ceiling, browse through the books... appreciate the connection of past and present it embodies. Your stay here promises to be a truly memorable experience, whether you come in the summer or any other time of the year.
Accommodation caters to 1-2 individuals willing to share. You can choose to book it Solo (Solo Retreat), meaning you have the whole house for yourself and follow the workshop on a one-to-one basis, or as a couple or with a friend.
The workshop will begin by exploring local clay, familiarizing participants with both the material and the surrounding environment of the island of Aegina. Attendees will visit one or two areas where traditional potters have sourced their clay until very recently, while also exploring the natural surroundings to collect elements that will inspire their work.
Back in the studio, the wild clay will be prepared for use, despite its challenging texture. Participants will work with it to build and create slips. The exploration will continue with studio clays, engaging in a series of exercises to familiarize yourself with their different qualities and learn how to manipulate them effectively.
These exercises will be paired with brief discussions on the properties and varieties of clays, basics on slips and glazes if necessary, offering a foundation for experimentation and giving space for unexpected discoveries to appear while creating pieces free from judgment. The basic aim is to dive into the creative process with clay as the medium.
Working with clay is a meditative activity, and it is with this meditative approach that the workshop will be guided, whether participants are new to clay or not. The focus will be on learning to listen to the clay and to what is happening in the present moment as it is held in the hands, from wedging all the way through to shaping it into a final piece.
The possibilities are many; it is a dialogue between the artist and the clay, a process of discovery where what is created is shaped by both intention and the material's response. It requires full presence and conscious awareness. This dialogue continues until harmony is found in the creation, achieving a balance that makes everything feel just right, not perfection, but a sense of completion.
The group will decide together whether to create everyday objects or explore greater freedom by crafting small sculptures. What truly matters is fostering a creative and constructive dialogue with the clay.
This workshop is designed for both beginners and those with experience, offering a creative journey into the expressive world of clay. By the end, participants will have created small sculptures and/or objects that embody their explorative experience—memories of a special week where creativity, pleasure, and relaxation intertwine.
Daily 6-hour workshop: 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon.
The retreat will close with goodbye drinks in town. Times may not be kept exactly as we can never know how long things will take, and how the weather may affect. Whoever wants to stay in the studio and continue working is welcome to do so outside of workshop hours upon agreement.
A few excursions are actually part of the program - discovering a little of the island of Aegina is as much part of the retreat as being in the studio working on your clay pieces.
Time allows you can add more excursions to your stay. There are quite a few trails on the island. We can suggest a guide if you would like, with whom you can make a direct agreement.
Following his studies in London (Bsc Honors in Industrial Chemistry and design) at The City University, Yanis worked as a Scientist doing Research for a few years. In 1995, he made a life change and turned full time to Arts & Crafts and has been a full time artist since 2004. Over the years he has accumulated firsthand experience of how it is and how it feels to succeed, to fail and be able to get up and start afresh and continue. In addition to his work involved with crafting, he is a full time artist and certified Vedic Art teacher.
Marina is half Greek half Brazilian. She was born in London, raised in Paris and Rio de Janeiro, studied in London, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, and came to Greece in 1999. She has worked in publishing, as a translator, as a curator... and had the gallery space cats&marbles in Athens from 2004 to 2009. She settled in Aegina in 2012, by chance, with her partner Yanis. Together they created The Cool Projects in 2013. Soon after arriving on the island she discovered the art of ceramics with ceramicist Theodora Chorafas. Today she has her own ceramics studio.
Nestled in the Saronic Gulf, just a stone's throw away from the bustling city of Athens and the port of Piraeus, Aegina island is known for its tasty pistachios, lively port, hidden marvels, archaeological sites, and beautiful, patrician houses, a clear blue sea and a lively, artistic community. Myth has it that Aegina was a nymph seduced by Zeus, whose progenies were covered in glory. Bathed in history, as most of the country: in Antiquity, she was a great rival of Athens, with its powerful fleet, its temples, and currency – it is believed the first coins were minted here.
In the early 19th century, during Greece’s War of Independence, it was the first capital of the country. It boasts a great history and has many historical sites to prove it: the Temple of Aphaia, the medieval village of Palaiochora, the Venetian tower of Markellos, the temple of Ellanios Zeus, believed to be one of the oldest temples in Europe... and so much more.
Indulge in the rich flavors of traditional, authentic Greek cuisine: a daily takeaway lunch from a local tavern and a complimentary breakfast at the Grapevine House. This is designed to keep participants energized and nourished throughout their artistic journey.
The fridge and kitchen will be stocked with local products, allowing guests to prepare their breakfast as desired. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice, ensuring that individual needs are met.
Aegina offers a lot more than what meets the eye.
Just ask Aegina Retreats and they will put you in touch with the right people. And if you come in November, you might be able to pick olives with them and get your own bottle of fresh olive oil.
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport)
49 km
Transfer not provided
Aegina is suitably located very close to Athens and the Athens International Airport, between 40 mins to 1h30 from the port of Piraeus. From the airport, you can take a bus, the metro, or a taxi to get to Pireaus port, gate E8 where boats for Aegina leave from. In Piraeus, you need to get to Gate 8 where you have a choice of fast boast (40-45 min) or slow boats (70-90min) to get to Aegina. There is a regular connection almost every hour, depending on the time of the year.
If you need any help with your travel, please contact Aegina Retreats, and they shall be happy to help.
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