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At the top of the mountain surrounded by trees and clouds, you find yourself within the elements. In one instance, the heat of the sun is beating down on the wet clay, drying and rapidly cracking its surface whilst baking your own skin. Next, a swift change to visceral thunderstorms rattling the roof shackles as the wind whips its way around the studio picking up loose sheets of paper and tousling the calico curtains. In the chaos you are centred, on the wheel wrestling with your own battle of the elements; safe, calm and strong, firmly plonked on your stool, legs wrapped closely to the wheel. The studio acts as your cocoon. 

‘Faced with the bestial hostility of the storm and the hurricane, the house’s virtues of protection and resistance are transposed into human virtues. The house acquires the physical and moral energy of a human body. It braces itself to receive the downpour, to grid its loins. When forced to do so, it bends with the blast, confident that it will right itself again in time, while continuing to deny any temporary defeats. Such a house as this invites mankind to heroism of cosmic proportions’. Gaston Bachelard, ‘La Poétique de l’Espace – (The Poetics of Space),’ 1958.

 

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) - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: You will begin the day with guided meditation in Dharamkot.
On returning, you will be served a sumptuous breakfast in our cafe.

At around 11:30 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. The first workshop will continue till 2:00 PM.
Then you will break for lunch. We recommend that after lunch, you take it some time for yourself and relax.
Post-lunch rest, you will take the second workshop from the above two starting from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, 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 (11:00 AM TO 1:30 PM) 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) - 9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM: You will begin the day with sound-healing or yoga at one of the many renowned centres 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. The first workshop will be scheduled from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
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. This will start from 4:00 PM and continue till 6:30 PM.
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) - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 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.

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 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
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.

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INCLUDEDNOT INCLUDED
5 nights accommodationAirfare
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)Alcohol
Pottery SessionsCourier charges for shipping Art pieces you create
Half- Day tour to McleodganjBank fee/ Money exchange fee/ Other payment charges
Nature walk, Yoga/Meditation SessionsLaundry
Art Supplies

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ACTIVITY
Day 1:
Arrive for check-in before 2 pm, allowing yourself to acclimate to the retreat atmosphere.
Explore your surroundings, connect with fellow participants, and commence your artistic journey with the first session from 4 pm to 6:30 pm(Charcoal).
Evening relaxation and dinner.
Day 2:
Wake up with leisure.
11:30 am: Your Thangka workshop will start.
Workshop will continue till 2:00 pm.

2:00 PM: Drive to Norbulingka.
Norbulingka is a self-sustaining community, where all members contribute to the larger vision of preserving Tibetan culture through the arts. It is a delight for travelers to see various Tibetan art forms such as paintings and woodwork.

Have lunch at one of the few restaurants at Norbulingka and explore the premises.
5:30 pm drive back to your hotel.
Evening relaxation and dinner.
Day 3:
(8:00 to 9:00 am) Start your day with yoga/meditation (8:00 to 9:00 am)
(11:00 am-1:30 pm) After breakfast, Acrylic pouring workshop at Dharamkot Studio- 2 (7 minutes walk from the hotel).
After lunch at the studio, you’ll meet your guide who’ll take you for a walk and exploration of Mcleodganj.
Take a beautiful walk around Dalai Lama Temple, explore cafes and shop if you wish.
Our guide will be with you till 6 pm.
After that, you can return to stay or get cozy in one of the many cafes of Mcleodganj.
The distance between Mcleodganj and your stay is just 2-3 km from the hotel.
Day 4:

(9:00 to 10:00 am) Start your day with yoga/meditation.
(11:30am to 3:00pm) Kangra Painting workshop

After the session, walk back to your stay, have lunch, and relax for a while.
(5:00- 6:30 pm) Nature hike to the sunset viewpoint with the guide.
Return to the comfort of your stay in the evening and then enjoy the night as you wish.
Day 5:
(8:30 to 9:30 am): Sound healing.
(11:00 am-1:30 pm) After breakfast, Paint on Pottery workshop at Dharamkot Studio- 1 (7 minutes walk from the hotel).
After the session, you’re free to explore and spend your day as you desire.
Indulge in walks, cafe hopping, or shopping.
Day 6:

As the retreat concludes, savor a moment to absorb the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar ranges. Check-out is at 11 am after a satisfying breakfast.

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InclusionsExclusions
Accommodation all daysPick-up & drop from the airport/bus stand
Lunch on Day 2 & Day 3Meals
All workshops with materialsNothing not mentioned in the inclusions
Art pieces made during the workshops.Bank fee/ Money exchange fee/ Other payment charges
Activities such as Yoga, Meditation & Sound Healing
Laundry
Norbulingka Institute Visit and Mcleodganj Walk
Nature hike
Internal transfers
Guide where required.

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