dharamkot studio

New ways with clay

Dates: 4-9Apr, 2025
Level: Intermediate/advanced
Facilitators/Artists: Reyaz Badaruddin and Elodie Alexandre
Number of participants– 8 
Fees:
INR 78500+18% Taxes /person
INR 144000+18% Taxes/ 2 people
(Including-  Private room, all materials, all meals, city tour and wellness sessions.)

Workshop Outline:

This process-oriented workshop is best for art enthusiasts looking for new directions in their ceramic practice. This workshop is designed to help participants gain skills in the medium, go deeper into their practice and discover the possibilities within. Through a series of guided hand-building exercises, participants will experiment with creative ways to work with clay. The workshop includes making sculptures, using various hand-building techniques and other creative tools (such as 2D tracing and collage) and learning how to reflect and apply creative thinking. This workshop is a real mind-opener for those who want to explore the medium in new ways. In the workshop we will be using terracotta clay, different slips and other tools.

advance ceramic workshop by Riyaz and Elodie

About Artists:

Reyaz Badaruddin graduated in ceramic and design from Banaras Hindu University and went to Cardiff School of Art and Design, UK on Charles Wallace Fellowship for his further studies in ceramics.
He is a recipient of the National Award and Junior Fellowships by the government of India. His works are in the collection of the Keramik Künstler Haus in Germany, Mark Rothko Art Center in Latvia, the FULE International Ceramic Museum in China and various other public and private collections. He is a co-curator and member of the core group of the Indian Ceramics Triennale.
His works are in the collection of Kiran Nadar Museum in India, the Keramik Künstler Haus in Germany, Mark Rothko Art Center in Latvia, the FULE International Ceramic Museum in China and various other public and private collections.
Know more about the artist – https://atelierlalmitti.com/reyaz/

Originally from France, Élodie Alexandre lived in the UK for ten years and joined the Cardiff School of Art and Design in Wales in 2008. She holds a BA and an MA in Ceramics from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. Her work was selected for several ceramic biennials in Britain, Belgium and Indonesia.
In 2018, she was selected to participate in the first edition of the Indian Ceramics Triennale in Jaipur. She is a co-founder of Atelier Lālmitti.
Know more about the artist- https://atelierlalmitti.com/elodie/

Workshop Schedule:

4th Apr – Check–in before 11AM, take your time to settle in, visit the studio, meet other people and attend your first clay session from 4 PM – 7 PM.
5, 6, 7, 8 – These days of the workshop include different sessions between 11AM-1:30PM and 3:30- 5:30PM, Between the breaks there will be city tour, hike, meditation and sound bath session.
9th Apr –The check–out is at 11 AM after breakfast.

How to Apply:

To apply to this course, write an email to manoj@dharamkotstudio.com

Attach – your CV/Resume/portfolio (ceramic/ Pottery)
Write – about yourself, your motivation to join this workshop, about prior experience with clay.
Your email will be reviewed and replied to within 3-5 days. There is no last date to join this course, admissions are on an availability basis.
Cancellation/rescheduling – The booking amount will be 30% of the total amount, which is non-refundable. However 50% of this amount can be used to take other programs such as retreats or other advanced workshops.

Stay:

The accommodation and studio lie amidst the pine and cedar forest, completely secluded from the hustle-bustle of the town yet easily approachable by road and just a 5-minute walk away from the village. We have single and double-occupancy rooms. We don’t put up strangers together- so you will either have the whole room or share it with someone you bring along.
All the rooms are with attached washrooms, high–speed WiFi, power backup, hot water, electric kettle, heaters/Fan private balcony and modernist aesthetics. You will have a view of the Dhauladhar mountain range from your room!
Laundry and taxi services are available at the property.

Meals:

An in–house cafeteria provides delicious and healthy vegetarian food. Vegan or gluten-free food is also available on request. All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) are included in the price. Apart from our in–house cafe there are many other cafes to explore, just a 7-10 minutes walk away from the retreat centre.

Weather:

Mar– Jun: The summer season in the mountains can be an absolutely stunning time of year. With the snow melted away and the sun shining, the mountains come alive with an array of colours, scents, and sounds. The temperature during the day can range from pleasantly cool to warm, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. The air is crisp and fresh, with a sweet scent of pine and other mountain flora.

Bring – Sunglasses, hiking shoes and light clothes with a light jacket for cooler evenings.

How to Reach:

By Air – Dharamshala airport (DHM) is the nearest airport which is around 20 km (50 minutes) from the studio, direct taxi (1500/-) to the studio will be available.

By Bus – Overnight journey from Delhi by AC semi-sleeper bus. These buses are comfortable and safe, you can book the on Redbus. The nearest bus station is Dharamshala (8 km), and from the bus station, you can take a taxi (Rs. 600/-) to the studio.

By Train – Pathankot (85km) is the nearest railway station, from Pathankot you can take public transport to Dharamshala and then a 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) - 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-bath 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 accommodation,

Room cleaning and linen change on Sunday and can also be done upon your request.

Toiletries available on request.

Packaged mineral drinking water for all days.
Airfare

Taxi from / to the airport to/ from studio.
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). We serve healthy, vegetarian and delicious Indian meals from organic vegetables sourced locally. Vegan or gluten-free food is also available on request.Alcohol or anything else that you purchase or avail the services of during your stay.
Pottery SessionsCourier charges for shipping Art pieces you create
Half- Day tour to Mcleodganj covering Dalai Lama Temple, St. John’s in the Wilderness Church and the Mcleodganj Market

Vehicle where required.
Bank fee/ Money exchange fee/ Other payment charges

Any other trips/plans that you make during the stay.
Nature walk, Yoga, Meditation/ sound healing SessionLaundry
Art SuppliesAnything not mentioned in the inclusions.

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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 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm-Charcoal sketching.
Evening relaxation and dinner.
Day 2:
(9:00 am to 10:00 am) Meditation at Tushita meditation centre
11:30 am: Thangka Painting will start at Studio-1
Workshop will continue till 2:00 pm.
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Lunch & Rest
4:00 pm: Go on a small walk with a facilitator for Nature Journaling.
6:00 pm: Reach back to the comfort of your hotel to spend the evening as you desire.
Day 3:
Start your day with Hike to Prayer Flag Point(11:00 am to 1:30 pm)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Lunch & Rest
4:00 to 6:00 pm: Acrylic pouring workshop at Dharamkot Studio- 2.
Day 4:
9:00am to 1:00pm Kangra Painting Workshop at Studio-1
Breakfast will be arranged at the studio.
1:00 to 3:00 pm: lunch and relax
3:00- 6:30 pm guided walk and exploration of Mcleodganj.
Take a beautiful walk around Dalai Lama Temple, Church, Naddi village and explore cafes and shop if you wish.
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 5:
8:30 to 9:30 am: Sound bath session at Buddha Blessing.
11:00 am-1:30 pm- Paint on Pottery workshop at Dharamkot Studio- 1
After this session, your retreat program will be concluded. You’re free to explore and spend your day as you desire.
Day 6:
As the retreat concludes, savor a moment to absorb the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar ranges. Check-out is at 11 am.

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InclusionsExclusions
Accommodation all daysPick-up & drop from the airport/bus stand
Guide where requiredMeals
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 Meditation & Sound Bath.
Laundry
Nature Journaling
Nature hike
Internal transfers
Taxis where required

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