September 13-19, 2027
Narrating in Blue: Myth, Lore, and Surface Design with Ashley Maxwell
This six-day workshop explores storytelling through ceramic surface, using blue and white as a framework for drawing, carving, painting, and image-making on clay. The workshop begins on September 13, but traveling guests should plan to arrive on September 12, for a welcome dinner and to be ready to begin the next morning.
While Portugal has an extraordinary and deeply rooted tradition of blue and white ceramics, this workshop approaches the familiar palette from a different perspective. Rather than focusing on traditional Portuguese methods of decoration, I will share my own contemporary approach to blue and white surface design, using underglaze through a combination of carved, inlaid, and painterly techniques.
Working primarily on ceramic tiles, artists will explore wax resist inlay, traditional inlay, carving, and layered underglaze painting, including a watercolor-inspired technique that creates soft washes, variation, and depth while maintaining the clarity of line and imagery.
Throughout the workshop, we will think about the ceramic surface as a place for visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from our time exploring Portugal, artists will learn how to collect imagery from architecture, decorative arts, landscape, flora, fauna, and the unexpected details encountered along the way, then translate those observations into their own ceramic imagery.
I will also demonstrate simple and accessible ways to use a camera phone and basic digital tools to develop reference images and compositions for the ceramic surface. Artists who prefer to work more intuitively will have the option to draw freehand, allowing room for both structured and spontaneous approaches to image making.
Although we will use tiles as our working surfaces during the workshop, these techniques are intended to move beyond the tile. The goal is for artists to leave with a versatile vocabulary of surface methods that can be adapted to their own functional pottery, sculptural work, and individual studio practices.
Rather than teaching a single formula for blue and white decoration, this workshop is about discovering the many ways line, image, color, and process can work together to tell a story on clay.
Meet
Ashley Maxwell
Ashley Maxwell is a ceramic artist and educator whose work encompasses functional ceramics and sculpture. She received her BFA from the University of North Florida and her MFA from Georgia State University, with a concentration in ceramics for both degrees. She also completed the Summer Figure Sculpture Program at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.
Ashley has taught ceramics and other studio art courses as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University, the University of North Florida, the University of Hartford, Post University, and Southern Connecticut State University.
Her sculptural work has been exhibited nationally, including at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, the Glassell School of Art in Houston, Aqua Art Fair in Miami, the Human Form Symposium at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, artMRKT Hamptons, and Art on the Edge in East Hampton. In 2013, she received the First Place Graduate Student Award in the NCECA National Juried Exhibition.
Ashley has continued developing her studio practice through artist residencies in the United States and abroad. In 2019, she was an artist in residence at Buffalo Creek Art Center in Gardnerville, Nevada. In 2025, she completed international artist residencies at SkopArt on Skopelos, Greece, and Well Traveled Wares Studios in Portugal.
Today, Ashley owns and operates NYX + LORE Ceramics, a small-batch ceramic studio in Vero Beach, Florida where she creates functional and sculptural work inspired by historical imagery, mythology, the natural world, and traditional decorative arts. Her studio practice brings together her background in sculpture and ceramics with an ongoing exploration of surface, narrative, and ornament.
Lodging Options and Pricing
This seven day workshop runs September 13-19, 2027. Traveling guests should plan to arrive a day early on September 12 for our welcome dinner and to settle in. There will be an option for guests to book an extra week to continue practicing what they have learned.
There are three tiers for participation:
- All inclusive with Lodging: Is available for four guests, and includes lodging at Villa do Barro, 24/7 studio access,, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners, plus transportation for half day and full day explorations of local towns with a focus on Portuguese culture, art and architecture. Meals on these day trips (1 lunch and 2 dinners) are not included in the price of the retreat. All materials are included, and we will glaze and fire at least 1-2 pieces to take home.
- All Inclusive without Lodging: Visiting guests will enjoy the same meals and excursions as all inclusive with lodging, but will find their own accomodations. We have partnerships with three local accommodations and can help facilitate booking those spaces. Two locations are walkable, one requires a 7 minute drive.
- Workshop Only: Local artists can choose to participate in the workshop only, which includes materials, class time, instruction and lunches. Optional: we invite local artists to add on the Welcome and Farewell dinners. This package does not include the day tours or other meals, but modifications can be made as available.
- Not Included: Airfare and airport transportation from Lisbon are not included, but we can help make arrangements as needed.
Pricing Options
All prices include 23% VAT
Guests can add an extra week stay and studio access, at Well Traveled Wares guest house, for 500€. First come first served, as space allows.
Stay at Well Traveled Wares Guest House above the Studio
Stay with us in our cozy guest house, above the studio. There are two single rooms and one double room, and two full bathrooms, to accommodate 4 guests.
- 2) Single Rooms 2,395€
- 1) Shared Double Room 2,025€/ per person
Stay at Neighboring Accommodations in the Village
Stay at our neighbors lovely rentals, just a short walk away from the studio. You'll have a full kitchen and laundry space, plus you'll enjoy all the prepared shred meals at Well Traveled Wares guest house, and transportation to field trips.
- There is one bedroom, and a pull out bed. This space is ideal for a couple, or friends who don't mind sharing space.
- 2,600€ for single occupancy
- 2,100€ per person/double occupancy
Workshop, Meals, and Activities
If you'd like to participate in the workshop, shared meals, and day trips, but prefer to find your own place. This option is for you. Note: you will be responsible for getting to and from the studio, but transportation for activities will be provided from here.
- 1,450€ per person
Just Lunches and the Workshop
Local artists are welcome to join us for the workshop and lunches only. You can also add on farewell and welcome meals for a separate fee.
- 500€ per person
Sample Itinerary
Day to Day of Retreat
Sunday, September 12, 2027
Arrival day for guests who are traveling to Portugal. Artists staying at Well Traveled Wares guest house, or in accommodations in the village can arrive after 1:00 pm. We will have a catered welcome dinner at the guest house around 7:00 pm.
Monday, September 13, 2027
Day One
9:00- 1:00
Studio Lesson with Ashley: Surface and Tile Demo.
- Artists will start at least 4 tiles
- Learn how to make the tiles we will decorate later.
1:15 - 2:30 Lunch at Well Traveled Wares Studios
2:30 -7:00 Travel to Obidos castle for inspiration and sketching, and photo documentation.
- We'll walk through the castle and visit churches full of decorative elements, and tile panel installations Sketches can be used on tile work this week.
- 7:30 Dinner in town
Tuesday, September 14, 2027
Day Two
9:00-12:30 Studio Lesson with Ashley/Start working on designs/surface work
12:30-2:00 Lunch at Well Traveled Wares Studios- catered on site
2:00-5:00
- Continue laying out imagery on forms.
5:00- 7:30 Open Studio or free time
7:30
- Dinner at studio
- Relax and/or open studio time after dinner.
Wednesday, September 15, 2027
Day Three
9:00-12:30 Studio time to continue tiles and molded forms. Finish by lunch!
12:30-2:00
- Lunch at Well Traveled Wares Studios- catered on site
2:00-5:00
- Wet clay dries
- Field trip to Caldas da Rainha
- Load/fire BISQUE by end of day
7:30 dinner in Caldas
Thursday, September 16, 2027
Day Four
9:00- 12:30
- Studio Lesson with Ashley-Underglaze/Glaze Techniques Demo
- Students start underglazing
12:30-1:30
- Lunch at Well Traveled Wares studio- catered on site
2:00-5:00
- Class time (continue underglazing/glazing)
5:00 - 7:30
- Free time/open studio
7:30
- Prepared meal in house
Friday, September 17, 2027
Day Five
9:00- 12:30 Studio Lesson with Ashley
- recap techniques/answer questions-Underglaze/Glaze Day 2
12:30-2:00 Lunch in studio
2:30-7:00 Free time /open studio/ hang at the studio (finish underglaze/glazing by 7)
7:30 Dinner at Well Traveled Wares Studios-catered on site
- Fire Kiln at night.
Saturday, September 18, 2027
Day Six
- Kiln firing/cooling day
9:30 all day Field Trip -
- Group vote between Tomar-Convento do Cristo/Alcobaca and Nazare/Beach Day
- Lunch out
7:30 Farewell dinner at Well Traveled Wares Studios
Sunday, September 19, 2027
Day 7
9:00 am - 12:00
- unload kiln
- Group and individual photos
- pack your pots
- Farewells
12:00 - 1:00 pm Departure
From Portland to Portugal: the evolution of Well Traveled Wares
In late 2024, my husband Nick and I relocated to a small agricultural village in the Silver Coast area of Portugal. We found a plot of land with two houses, and a giant garage big enough to house a ceramic studio. The bigger house was transformed into a residency house for up to 4 guest artists, and in 2025 they began hosting artists for residencies and teaching classes to local artists. Thus creating a new play on "Well Traveled Wares" and expanding it to visiting and local artists, and the wares they create here and travel home with.