A retreat is always a good idea. Best vacation ever, especially for new potters who are still exploring their own styles. During his particular retreat, Helen Rasekhy, aka The Persian Potter , will teach you to create your own personalized texturing tools with clay, designed by you, according to your own personal preferences.

Depending on your pace, you should leave your 'claycation' with:

•  one large roller stamp of your own design 
•  3-10 other smaller stamps of varying styles and sizes
• most importantly, the know-how to become your own master of textures.
• And you'll meet some very cool people while enjoying the simple tranquility of the Portuguese landscape.

See: best vacation -no, Claycation ever!

• Maximum Class Size: 12 people
• Minimum: 4 people (if we do not reach 4 by August 15, all deposits will be refunded)

Pricing

All pricing is in Euros and includes VAT (local tax). Guests from the US will see the pricing in dollars for the deposit. Final payment will be calculated at the exchange rate at the time of payment. If you'd like to pay in full now, we can make arrangements to do so via invoice.

• All inclusive with Lodging: Is available for four guests (two single rooms and one double room with two twin beds), and includes lodging at Villa do Barro, 24/7 studio access, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus transportation for a day of exploring  local towns Caldas da Rainha and Obidos, with a focus on Portuguese culture, art and architecture. Meals on this day trip (1 lunch and 1 dinners) are not included in the price of the retreat. All materials and firing are included
  • Single room 1,230 € with VAT
  • Shared Double room 1,105€ with VAT
  • There is a small market and cafe in the village, about a 10 minute walk from the studio, for those who wish to pick up some food and basic things to keep in the kitchen. With a car there are larger grocery stores about a 15 minute drive away.

• All Inclusive without Lodging: Visiting guests will enjoy 24/7 studio access, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus transportation for a day of exploring  local towns Caldas da Rainha and Obidos, with a focus on Portuguese culture, art and architecture. Meals on this day trip (1 lunch and 1 dinners) are not included in the price of the retreat. All materials and firing are included. We have partnerships with three local accommodations and can help facilitate booking those spaces. Two locations are walkable, one requires a 7 minute drive. Lodging fees will be paid and arranged directly with the establishment you choose, they are not included here.

  • 825€ with VAT

  • See other local accommodations here- Nicole can help confirm availability

• 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.

  • 500€ with VAT

    • Optional: Add welcome and farewell dinners ala carte for an additional fee

Deposits must be made to secure bookings. The balance of each package will be due by August 1, and an invoice will be emailed to the email address provided in the deposit. Deposits are refundable, less credit card processing fees, if cancellation occurs by July 15. Cancellations between July 15-August 1 will be refunded at 50%. Cancellations after August 1 will not be refunded.

*Guests must provide proof of travel insurance prior to arrival. 

If you'd like to talk about arranging an extra week or two at Villa do Barro to practice new techniques or have a custom residency, please contact Nicole to discuss options and discounted pricing for retreat guests.

Not Included: 

• Airfare and airport transportation from Lisbon are not included, but we can help make arrangements as needed. 
• For guests not staying at Villa do Barro, or guests interested in exploring on their own, a rental car is recommended.

Minimum Participants: 4

Max: 12 

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is meant to give an idea of what to expect during your stay. Unforeseen events, like weather, may cause us to make changes at the last minute. 

• Sunday 8/30
  • Traveling guests arrive to Villa do Barro and/or other local accommodations 
  • 7:30 pm Welcome dinner at Vila do Barro for traveling guests
• Day 1 Monday 8/31
  • 10:00-5:00 Workshop with an hour lunch break around 1:00
    • Draw your own designs on paper
    • Demos on preparing the clay to create:
      • Hollow Roller Stamps
      • Medium Solid Roller Stamps
      • Conic Stamps for circular designs
      • ball rollers, disc rollers and signature stamps
    • Preparing each of our clay forms for the next day's carving.
    • Planning our designs for each of our stamps
  • 7:30 Dinner 
• Day 2 Tuesday 9/1
  • 10:00-5:00 Workshop with am hour lunch break around 1:00
    • Demo on Hollow Stamp Rollers
    • (Using the Dowel System to make the rollers) and Texture Tiles
    • Rolling out our rollers using dowels
    • Carving our designs onto the rollers
• Day 3 Wednesday Sept 2
  • 10:00-5:00 Workshop with am hour lunch break around 1:00
    • Demo on medium solid roller  & Conic stamps
    • Carving rollers
    • Demo & Carving time for  Ball rollers, disk rollers & Signature stamps
    • Firing the kiln at night
• Day 4 Thursday September 3
  • Day trip to visit local cities Caldas da Rainha and Obidos Castle
  • Lunch and dinner will be at restaurants 
• Day 5 Friday, September 4 (half day)
  • Unload the kiln and test our new roller stamps
  • Q&A and tips 
  • Workshop ends around 12:30-1:00 
  • Guests staying at Villa do Barro will have time after class to clean up and pack, unless arrangements have been made to stay longer.