Dharamkot Studio, Art Retreat, Pottery Course Dharamshala

“We believe that each one of us is creative. And the right space and people can help cultivate this creativity and bring your imagination to life.”

About Us

We’re an art studio using clay / ceramics / pottery as a medium, nestled in a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh, India. We started in 2019 in Dharamkot village with one pottery wheel, a few kgs of clay and a simple dream of making a community art space. We’re self taught artists from different backgrounds and with different stories; the Studio and art connect all of us together.

Studio

In Dharamkot Village there are 2 studios 10 minutes walk apart, both studios cover approximately 5000 square feet area in total and accommodate 32 peoples at a time. Both places are equipped independently yet function as one unit.

Studio-1 which is our old studio is used for daily/non residential workshops while studio-2 is used for retreats and beginners course. At the studio 2 we have accommodation for 18 people.

Both places are well connected by road and have an amazing view of mountains. We use terracotta and stoneware clay, pottery wheels, slab rollers, low-mid fire glazes and gas/elactric kilns.

Dharamkot studio is primarily a community art space where people can learn art and use the studio space/materials.

Studio itself is not making any products; artists make their work in the studio and sell on their own or from the studio. These artists and their products will be listed on the website shop very soon.

About Dharamkot

On an elevation of 2100 m, Dharamkot is a small hill station in Kangra district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. On the crest of a hill above McLeodGanj, (Dalai lama stays here and also place of Tibetan government in exile ), Dharamkot is a spot with wide views of the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. Dharamkot also has the world famous Vipassana meditation centre, Dhamma Shikara and Tushita Meditation Centre which is a centre for the study and practice of Buddhism in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition. Famous for yoga, meditation and Hippies Since 1970s, Dharamkot is also known as second home for Israeli tourists coming to India. Most of the restaurants here serve Israeli dishes.

Weather and climate

The climate in Dharamkot remains varied yet beautiful no matter what time of the year you visit. Summer (April to June) have a beautiful sunny day with a mild chill at night. Winters (dec-feb) have heavy snowfall with stunning views of snow-clad mountains and areas all around.

How to Reach

By Air- Gaggal airport is around 20 km (45-60 minutes) from the studio, direct taxi (INR1000-1100) to studio will be available.

By Bus- Overnight journey from Delhi by semi sleeper bus. Nearest bus station is Mcleodganj ( 2km) and Dharmshala (8 km), from the bus station you can take a taxi to the studio.

By Train- Pathankot (85km) is the nearest railway station, from Pathankot you can take public transport to Dharamshala and then taxi to the Studio. Or you can take a taxi from Pathankot to the studio

	ACTIVITY
	Day 1 (Friday) - Today, you will arrive in the serene village of Dharamkot. We recommend you check-in to our Studio latest by 12PM, though checkin time is till 2PM. After settling-in to your rooms, you will be served lunch at the cafeteria. At 4 PM, you will start with your first workshop “An Introduction to Pottery”. This workshop will take about 2.5 to 3 hrs. At night, you will indulge in dinner (possibly around a bonfire depending on weather) and then relax.
	Day 2 (Saturday) - Today, you will start your day with a warm cup of tea & Nature Walk to Naddi. The trail meanders through the forests, offering stunning views of the valley below and the distant mountain ranges. On returning, you will be served a sumptuous breakfast in our cafe. At around 11 AM, you will head to the Studio for your second workshop. Today we will split the group in two batches for personalised attention to all participants. One group will attend the “Hand-building- pinching” workshop and the other will learn the “Intro to Pottery Wheel” workshop. Each workshop will take about 2.5 hrs. Then you will break for lunch. Post-lunch, you will take the second workshop from the above two, depending on what you did in the morning. Wrap up your dinner at our cafe.
	Day 3 (Sunday) - Today is a mix of learning and exploration! After breakfast, you will attend the fourth workshop on “Texturing/Surface Decoration”. Then after lunch, you will start your local sightseeing tour. Our expert local guides will take you to the Dalai Lama Temple, St. John’s in the Wilderness Church and the Mcleodganj Market. Take time to experience the spiritual energy of Dharamshala. You can either return to the Studio with our guide in a cab which departs by 6 PM or stay longer and take a taxi back. Dinner will be served in the evening but you can also explore one of the many restaurants/ bars in Mcleodganj.
	Day 4 (Monday) - You will begin the day with yoga/meditation at one of the many renowned yoga studios in Dharamkot. Then, head back to the Studio for breakfast and another day of pottery learning. You will now learn the advanced techniques in pottery making in your fifth and sixth art sessions. We will again split the group in two batches for personalised attention to all participants. One group will attend the “Advanced Hand-building- Slab/coiling method” workshop and the other will learn the “Wheel Throwing/ Shaping Technique” workshop. Each workshop will take about 2.5 hrs. Then you will break for lunch. Post-lunch, you will take the second workshop from the above two, depending on what you did in the morning. Wrap up your dinner at our cafe. By now you must have made friends with instructors and other participants, so we are sure you have some amazing conversations.
	Day 5 (Tuesday) - You will begin the day with another session of yoga/meditation. Then, head back to the Studio for breakfast. You will now attend the last and seventh art session on “ surface decoration with Coloured Under-Glazes”. The session will be of 2.5 hrs. After lunch, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can pick your favourite thing to do today…finish off your artwork with some guidance from our instructors, head out and take a hike, go shopping, spend a lazy day in a cafe, walk around the flag point for sunset…the choices are endless. We will see you back at the Studio at 7 PM for our farewell dinner.
	Day 6 (Wednesday) - Today is the day we bid adieu! After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and gaze at the Dhauladhar range for one last time till we see you again. The check-out is at 11 AM.

ACTIVITY

Day 1 (Friday) - Today, you will arrive in the serene village of Dharamkot. We recommend you check-in to our Studio latest by 12PM, though checkin time is till 2PM.
After settling-in to your rooms, you will be served lunch at the cafeteria.
At 4 PM, you will start with your first workshop “An Introduction to Pottery”. This workshop will take about 2.5 to 3 hrs.
At night, you will indulge in dinner (possibly around a bonfire depending on weather) and then relax.

Day 2 (Saturday) - Today, you will start your day with a warm cup of tea & Nature Walk to Naddi. The trail meanders through the forests, offering stunning views of the valley below and the distant mountain ranges.
On returning, you will be served a sumptuous breakfast in our cafe.
At around 11 AM, you will head to the Studio for your second workshop. Today we will split the group in two batches for personalised attention to all participants. One group will attend the “Hand-building- pinching” workshop and the other will learn the “Intro to Pottery Wheel” workshop. Each workshop will take about 2.5 hrs.
Then you will break for lunch.
Post-lunch, you will take the second workshop from the above two, depending on what you did in the morning.
Wrap up your dinner at our cafe.

Day 3 (Sunday) - Today is a mix of learning and exploration!

After breakfast, you will attend the fourth workshop on “Texturing/Surface Decoration”.
Then after lunch, you will start your local sightseeing tour. Our expert local guides will take you to the Dalai Lama Temple, St. John’s in the Wilderness Church and the Mcleodganj Market. Take time to experience the spiritual energy of Dharamshala.
You can either return to the Studio with our guide in a cab which departs by 6 PM or stay longer and take a taxi back.
Dinner will be served in the evening but you can also explore one of the many restaurants/ bars in Mcleodganj.

Day 4 (Monday) - You will begin the day with yoga/meditation at one of the many renowned yoga studios in Dharamkot.

Then, head back to the Studio for breakfast and another day of pottery learning. You will now learn the advanced techniques in pottery making in your fifth and sixth art sessions.
We will again split the group in two batches for personalised attention to all participants. One group will attend the “Advanced Hand-building- Slab/coiling method” workshop and the other will learn the “Wheel Throwing/ Shaping Technique” workshop. Each workshop will take about 2.5 hrs.
Then you will break for lunch.
Post-lunch, you will take the second workshop from the above two, depending on what you did in the morning.
Wrap up your dinner at our cafe. By now you must have made friends with instructors and other participants, so we are sure you have some amazing conversations.

Day 5 (Tuesday) - You will begin the day with another session of yoga/meditation.
Then, head back to the Studio for breakfast. You will now attend the last and seventh art session on “ surface decoration with Coloured Under-Glazes”. The session will be of 2.5 hrs.
After lunch, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can pick your favourite thing to do today…finish off your artwork with some guidance from our instructors, head out and take a hike, go shopping, spend a lazy day in a cafe, walk around the flag point for sunset…the choices are endless. We will see you back at the Studio at 7 PM for our farewell dinner.

Day 6 (Wednesday) - Today is the day we bid adieu! After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and gaze at the Dhauladhar range for one last time till we see you again. The check-out is at 11 AM.

INCLUDED	NOT INCLUDED
5 nights accommodation	Airfare
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)	Alcohol
Pottery Sessions	Courier charges for shipping Art pieces you create
Half- Day tour to Mcleodgunj	Bank fee/ Money exchange fee/ Other payment charges
Nature walk, Yoga/Meditation Sessions	Laundry
Art Supplies

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About Dharamkot

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