Aegina Retreats
From Nature to Studio - From Touch to Clay
13 - 20 June
with George Vavatsis
All our workshops are open to everyone above 18 years old.
No previous experience is needed, only curiosity and the desire to create.
What to expect
In June 2026, Aegina Retreats invites ceramicist George Vavatsis to run a workshop in Aegina, using local clays. Although in his own personal work and research George uses stoneware, he also likes to explore the possibilities that local, Greek terracotta gives us. He has done such workshops throughout the country: in his native Thessaloniki; on the Cycladic island of Serifos; in Kalamata, in the Peloponnese and in Kavala, in northern Greece. This will be the first one in Aegina, in which marina will be assisiting him.
This ceramics workshop is all about working with what we have around us. A challenge that can bring limitations. Limitations that can bring surprising levels of creativity.
We will collect clay from nature. At the same time, we will look at the environment through the prism of a researcher – somewhat geologist, somewhat chemist, definitely observer with all our senses open. We will gather information and knowledge on how to identify and collect clay, on methods used to transform clay found in nature into a body suitable for the needs of ceramic creation.
The idea is to use only those resources found and available in the surrounding environment, and create the conditions that will allow us to complete our work, from wild clay foraging to final firing.
Through this process, you will learn:
● To recognize and then process clays found in nature.
● To transform the body into a clay suitable for the desired creative process.
● To create slips / glazes made from the materials collected.
● To complete the firing process for the ceramic pieces that we will create during the workshop.
Brief programme
Saturday, around 6pm: Welcome gathering & introductions.
Sunday: morning - excursion to 2-3 spots to pick up clay. Lunch by the sea. Back in the studio for first analysis of findings.
Monday-Thursday: work in the studio morning & afternoon. Lunch at the studio.
Thursday: load kiln in the morning. Lunch together. Afternoon programme to be discussed.
Friday morning: visit of Archaeological site & museum of Kolona. Lunch together and afternoon programme to be discussed.
Friday evening: open kiln (or Saturday morning before departure)
Days start around 9:30 am. Morning & afternoon sessions last about 4 hours each, with a one hour lunch break in between. Be prepared for long days with a full programme.
About George
George Vavatsis was born in 1974 in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he currently lives and works. He studied Visual & Live Art in Gloucestershire University, England from 1995 to 1998. In 2000, he returned to his hometown and established his own workshop, where he has been exploring as many aspects of the ceramics art as possible everu since. He has been mostly experimented on clay types, glaze formulas, natural sources and wheel throwing.
He has been a member of the International Academy of Ceramics since 2021. His ceramic works has been shown in several solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad. He has participated in many ceramic symposiums around Europe and Asia. In 2012, he won the 1st prize in the 50th Panhellenic Ceramic Competition and in 2024 the 1st prize in the 1st Biennale of Contemporary Keramics, in Santorini, Greece. He teaches ceramics in various institutions and studios around Greece and regularly in his own studio too. In 2017, he created a project space named “6exi Contemporary Ceramics”, where national and international artists are invited to exhibit their work in Thessaloniki.
‘There are two reasons, why I became a potter and remained involved with ceramics. The wheel is the first and essential one on this experience. Inner balance, full emotion, self control and the absolute truth of technical skill are the elements of the wheel throwing practice. The eternal state of learning is the second one. Ceramics is a limitless art field, expanding our experiences and knowledge into enormous, unexpected depths. Clay demands an equal knowledge of handling and respect. It is an extraordinary experience to get feelings of such greatness out of such a simple actions.’
What you get when booking
A Retreat
A Workshop
When booking a retreat you get:
Full participation in all daily practice in the studio
Tea, Coffe, Snacks & Daily Lunch
Transfer for planned excursions
Accommodation, breakfast daily
Transportation from & to Aegina port.
Participation cost: €1700 per person
(all taxes incl.)
When booking a workshop you get:
Full participation in all daily practices in the studio
Tea, Coffe, Snacks & Daily Lunch
Transfer for planned excursions
Accommodation and transportation from & to Aegina port are not included.
Participation cost: €850 per person
(all taxes incl.)
You can also book a retreat as a couple. If you are a group of two friends or more and want to book together, you can also do that. Contact us for a quote.
Payment & Reservation
You can also reserve your place for the workshop or the retreat, by paying a €300 deposit now, which is fully refundable up to 60 days before the start date.
After you send your participation request, we will contact you to confirm whether you prefer the Independent workshop or Hosted retreat option and to confirm your chosen dates. The remaining balance is paid closer to the retreat starting date.
Payment is available via bank transfer or secure online payment.
FAQ
Ready to Join Us? Here’s How to Book:
Click Book Now on the workshop you would like.
Choose whether you’d like to join a retreat or a workshop.
Pick your preferred dates from the available options.
Complete your payment — you can pay in one or two instalments, whichever suits you best.
Cancellation Policy:
You’ll receive a full refund if you cancel up to 30 days before the start date.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer a refund for cancellations made within 30 days of the start date.
When booking a retreat, we offer the following options for accommodation:
Private, solo in the Grapevine House or the Lemon House.
Shared at the Grapevine House.
The Grapevine House is a two bedroom house with large living room, small kitchen and bathroom.
The Lemon House is a large studio with private bathroom and kitchen.
FInd out more about the houses here.
When booking a workshop, you will have to find your own accommodation. We are happy to share a list of friendly places.
Food is included when booking a retreat, and includes breakfast at the house plus tea, coffee, snacks and lunch at the studio, ordered from a choice of two local traditional restaurants. We do eat out at least twice in the week. Dinners are not included
Getting to Aegina is super easy!
Ferries run daily, all day long from Piraeus to Aegina port and back.
You can find out more here.
Workshops are held at The Cool Projects studio daily from 10:00 to 18:00 Sunday to Friday. You have full access to the studio for practice and private work all day.
All materials are provided
Join us and find out more about Creative Ceramics
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Welcome to Aegina Retreats where creativity meets playfulness and tranquility.
Contact Us
Location
+30 2297029359
5 Agias Paraskevis st.
Aegina 18010, Greece
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