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Once considered a measly activity, pottery has now become an educational and creative experience. And owing to the uncertainty and confusion of our times, the art of pottery which provides a sense of stability, helps to enhance focus and connects one to their roots has taken off with the young generation.
Multiple pottery retreats have come up across the country, all of which offer an immersive experience of not just pottery but a slower-paced, conscious life. With courses ranging from a week-long retreat to a full-fledged intermediate pottery course spanning months, these retreats are thoughtfully designed to help you reconnect with yourself better.
6 Pottery retreats in India for you to check out
1. Atelier Lalmitti
Founded by ceramic artists Elodie Alexandre and Reyaz Badaruddin, Atelier Lalmitti is a pottery studio situated near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh which specialises in handmade pottery for everyday usage. Atelier translates to ‘studio’ in French, whereas Lalmitti translates both to ‘precious clay’ in Persian and ‘red clay’ in Hindi. Atelier Lalmitti is a place for you to enhance your creative skills. Atelier Lalmitti runs a two-month programme every summer, which is open to students who are familiar with the basics of pottery making. Their courses range from intermediate to advanced levels. Former members can also apply for a year-long mentorship to further develop their skills and contribute to the pottery-making society. They are looking for opportunities to expand and provide a space for artists from India as well as abroad to enhance their skills and creativity.
Location: Andretta Village, Himachal Pradesh
2. Aavartan Pottery Studio
Striking the perfect balance between traditional craft and modern ceramics, Aavartan is a pottery studio situated in the experimental international township of Auroville. This studio was started by artist Rakhee Kane, who completed her post-graduation in Ceramics from the National Institute of Design. Aavartan hosts pottery workshops for individuals interested in the art of pottery making. Rakhee uses modes of experimentation and adds her own unique creativity to the creation of her products.
Location: Auroville, Puducherry
3. Clayfingers
Situated in Kerala, Clayfingers is a pottery retreat in the form of a traditional brick and tile factory. It is run by contemporary artists and offers four beautiful cottages for guests to stay. They run pottery classes and other creative activities for artists and pottery enthusiasts from across the country. The studio offers pottery-making classes with the use of Terracotta and Stoneware Clays. There are also masterclasses available for innovative sculpting. They provide food, and especially scrumptious traditional local cuisine for you to explore their culture in depth at their Potters Cafe. Clayfingers is always ready to welcome guests and provide them with an extraordinary art experience.
Location: Thrissur, Kerala
4. Clay Botik
Clay Botik is a pottery and ceramic studio situated in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and is quite a popular pottery retreat in India. They are known for their unique products, which are mainly handcrafted stoneware pottery. They conduct workshops for hand and wheel pottery, as well as offer a wide range of services for those who are interested in pottery making and lovers of art. They include fresh sessions in their schedule from time to time. The products that they make are carefully prepared with beauty and creativity and serve for daily usage. If you are in Jaipur for a vacation, or if you are someone who belongs to Jaipur, we suggest spending a weekend at Clay Botik and fulfilling your inner creative urge.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
5. The Pottery Lab
The Pottery Lab is a community art studio in Pali Hill which focuses on making art accessible. Pottery and ceramics workshops in The Pottery Lab are conducted all year round. You can opt for single sessions and other courses in pottery. The Pottery Lab was started by Rekha Goyal in 2015, where the beginner’s course takes place over a 10-week session, 2 hours for each session. One can learn hand-building, working at the potter’s wheel, decoration and application of glazes. In The Pottery Lab, you can take a break from the world outside, and immerse yourself in this creative art form.
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
6. Aura Art Stay
Aura Art Stay is located in Manakpur Sharif near Chandigarh. And is a three-acre farm which welcomes young minds to experience the art of pottery making. Situated amidst lush greenery, Aura Art Stay is an art hostel which consists of an art studio, a family home, and a villa. This studio provides classes for beginners and offers regular classes and workshops. Encouraging guests to indulge in the creative art of pottery making, they also have the vision to produce tangible works of art. The studio displays a spacious layout, filled with pottery wheels, workstations and shelves adorned with creations from clay. Aura Art Stay provides nourishment to the soul.
Location: Aura Farm Off, Punjab