In this workshop you'll learn the innovative techniques of ceramic artist Stela Ivanova, who creates delicate porcelain sculptures with intricate patterns reminiscent of lace or fabric, through the careful setting of porcelain coils.  Thanks to controlled collapse during high-temperature firing, the rigid, raw pieces are transformed into unique sculptures with a characteristic organic beauty. 

The workshop will focus largely on learning the techniques to create these sculptures, and while each participant may create several pieces, only the small pieces will be fired and transportable. We will make one larger piece as a group, to demonstrate the firing techniques and results.

* The larger piece not be ready to fire before the end of the workshop, but a video will be made of the unloading and the results. A limited number of guests can choose to add on extra days in the guest house to continue working in the studio, in residency, and see finished results in person.

The workshop is about learning the techniques needed to create this unique style of sculpture in your own studio.

In between lessons, we will enjoy fresh catered lunches, and dinners. We’ll also celebrate the solar eclipse (eclipse glasses will be provided), and make trips to local cities and villages to enjoy local art, architecture, food and culture. We’ll also make a field trip to visit Stela’s studio.

Max: 10

Min: 6

*Guests traveling into Portugal should plan to arrive on August 9 for our welcome dinner, and depart on August 17. Very limited spaces for extended stays and studio time are available, on a first come, first served basis.

Pricing

All pricing is shown here in Euros and includes VAT taxes. The exchange rate for the deposit is automatically calculated  based on current exchange rates, and payment of the balance will also be calculated to USD based on rates when payment is made. If you'd like to pay in full, contact Nicole after paying the deposit online, and an invoice will be sent for the balance within a day.

• All inclusive with Lodging: Is available for four guests, and includes lodging at Villa do Barro, 24/7 studio access, light breakfast buffet, 3 lunches, and five dinners, plus transportation and a local guide for half day and full day explorations of local towns Caldas da Rainha and Alcobaça, 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 small pieces will be fired to take home.

• • Single room 2,150€ 
  • Double Occupancy room 1,860€

• All Inclusive without Lodging: Visiting guests will enjoy the same offering as above, excluding lodging at Villa do Barro. We have partnerships with three local accommodations and can help facilitate booking those spaces, based on availability. Two locations are walkable, one requires a 7 minute drive.
  •   1,475€

• 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 space available.
  •  400€
    • Book before May 15 and pay 360€
  • Optional: You can join us for the welcome, eclipse and farewell dinners at an ala cart fee per meal.

Not Included: Airfare and airport transportation from Lisbon are not included, but we can help make arrangements as needed.

Sample Itinerary

Itinerary is subject to change, depending on weather, and other unforeseeable events. This is just a sample to provide an overview of what to expect. While the workshop begins on August 11, traveling guests should plan to arrive on August 10, in time for dinner at 7:30 PM. There is limited availability to arrive earlier and depart later, for an additional lodging fee.

• Arrival 8/10 Monday : Guests arrival. Get settled. Studio tour.
  • 7:30 PM: Welcome dinner at Villa do Barro and introductions.

• Day One, 8/11 Tuesday:

  • 8:30- 9:30: Light continental breakfast at Villa do Barro

  • 9:30-1:30 Stela’s theoretical presentation

    • The artist's path, the genesis of her works

    • Concepts and ideas 

    • Information about the process and material used, showing the technique from construction to transformation after firing. This session aims to develop:

      • a) the additives mixed into the porcelain body and their preparation for the "lacework" technique

      • b) how the thickness and length of the coils affect the structural behavior

      • c) how weaving patterns are created, exploring different visual textures

      • d) how to compose the complete canvas in a constant search for balance between aesthetics and engineering

      • e) how the final construction of the piece will predetermine the firing results

      • f) how to choose the support system for controlled collapse during firing, understanding that different supports will allow for different aesthetic results

      • g) the high-temperature firing program

• • •  ⁠Demonstration of the process : 

      • preparing manually the coils, extruding, making meshes and turning them into ”fabrics” 

• • 1:30 - 2:30 Lunch at Villa do Barro

  • 2:30- 5:30  Putting the demonstration into practice.

    • composing a ”fabric” of your own. Making several separate parts of the piece that will form the final work.

• • 6:00- 7:30 Free time

  • 7:30 Dinner

  • Free time/open studio

• Day Two, Wednesday August 12 (ECLIPSE):

  •  8:30- 9:30 Continental Breakfast at Villa do Barro

  •  

    • 9:30-1:30 Studio Lesson with Stela

    • Presenting the type of support needed to fire the piece and making a support to facilitate the collapse in the kiln 

    • Joining together the parts made previously, composing the complete piece

  • 1:30 - 2:30 Lunch at Villa do Barro

  • 2:30- 4 :30 Lesson with Stela

    • Finishing the work

    • Loading the kiln 

• • 5:30 pm View the eclipse celebration - catered meal, wine 

  • *Eclipse begins at 5:30pm and ends around 8:42 pm, with totality (95% from where we are) around 7:30 pm

• Day three Thursday August 13:

• 8:30- 9:30 Breakfast at Villa do Barro

• 9:30 Travel to Caldas da Rainha to work from Janus Bruns studio

• 10:00- 1:00  Studio Lesson  with Stela

• • • Together, the group will create a medium-sized piece to experiment with this dimension and see how the collapse works at a bigger scale. Due to time constraints this piece will not be out of the kiln prior to the end of the retreat, but we will make a video to share the results with traveling participants.

• • 1:00 - 2:00 Lunch at the studio

  • 2:30- 4:30 Studio Lesson with Stela 

• • • Carrying on the creative process

• • 4:30- 7:30 Explore Caldas da Rainha

• 7:30-9:30 Dinner in Caldas

• 9:30 Return to the Villa do Barro

  • Fire small kiln with small pieces-

• Day Four Friday August 14:

• 8:30- 9:30 Breakfast at Villa do Barro

• • 9:30 Travel to Tomar to visit Convento do Cristio and explore the city

  • 1:00 Lunch at local restaurant (not included in cost of retreat)

  • 5:00 return to Villa do Barro
  • 7:30 Dinner

     

• Day Five Saturday August 15

  •  8:30-9:30 Breakfast

  • 9:30 Depart for Day trip

  • 10:30 -11:30 Visit Stela’s studio

  • 12:00-6:30 Visit Nazaré and/or Alcobaça Monastery

  •  7:30 Farewell dinner together at guest house

• Day Six  Sunday Morning August 16

  • 8:30- 9:30 Breakfast

  • Depart for airport