Being the leading pottery studio in India, Dharamkot Studio is primarily focused on clay, ceramics, and art, offering a range of workshops, courses, and retreats for beginners and experienced artists. The studio provides a peaceful and inspiring environment for learning, with programs such as pottery wheel experiences, hand-building pottery techniques, painting retreats, and artist residencies.
In this article, we list all the programs Dharamkot Studio offers. Read and find out what suits you the best.
Daily Workshops
Introduction to Pottery
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- When does it happen: Two slots every day from Friday to Wednesday:
Morning- 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Evening- 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm (Thursday off) - Details: This beginner-friendly session focuses on hand-building techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab-building to create items such as mugs, bowls, and platters.
Pottery Wheel Experience
- Duration: 2 hours
- When does it happen: Two slots every day from Friday to Wednesday:
Morning- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Evening- 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm (Thursday off) - Details: Participants receive an introduction to wheel throwing, learning to center and shape clay to craft basic forms like mugs and bowls.
Pottery Wheel Workshop for Kids and Parents
- Duration: 1 hour
- When does it happen: Two slots every day from Friday to Wednesday:
Morning- 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Evening- 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Thursday off) - Details: Designed for children aged 3 to 13 and their guardians, this workshop introduces basic wheel techniques to create simple pottery pieces.
DIY Paint-on-Pottery Workshop
- Duration: Until you finish your piece
- When does it happen: Every day between 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Thursday off)
- Details: The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Paint-on-Pottery Workshop is perfect for anyone looking to relax and explore their creative side. It is very simple, you choose the pot from our collection and paint wonderful things in a beautiful mountain setting.
For more information on Daily Workshops please visit our website: Daily Workshop Full Details
5 days Workshop
Art of Wheel Throwing (5 Days)
- Duration: 5 days, 2.5 hours daily
- When does it start: Starts every Friday and ends on Tuesday (Throughout 2025)
- Details: This immersive five-day workshop is your gateway to mastering the pottery wheel! Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the essentials of wheel throwing. Over just a few days, you’ll go from learning the basics to creating beautifully crafted pieces with confidence. By the end, you’ll have not only refined your skills but also shaped a deeper connection with the art of pottery.
For more information on Art of Wheel Throwing (5 Days) please visit our website: Art of Wheel Throwing Full Details
Retreats:
Designed for beginners and seasoned artists alike, these retreats offer hands-on art sessions. Nestled in serene, inspiring surroundings, each day balances structured learning with free time to reflect, explore, or unwind.
Beyond the art, you’ll find a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, delicious meals, and the opportunity to recharge both mind and spirit. It’s not just a retreat—it’s a transformative journey of self-expression and rejuvenation.
1. Pottery Retreat
The idea behind this pottery/creative retreat is simple: It‘s a natural setting where you may discover inspiration and embrace your creative side while getting away from the daily grind. The creative process of pottery–making slows down the pace of life, giving you time to recharge and replenish your creative spirit.
There could be no other medium better than the clay for such a retreat wherein clay itself and the whole process of making pottery teaches you patience, empathy, accepting changes, exploring and experimenting.
Day 1 (Friday) – Check–in before 2 PM, take your time to settle in, visit the studio, meet other people and attend your first pottery session from 4 PM – 7 PM.
Day 2,3,4,5 – These days of the retreat include group pottery sessions between 11:30 AM – 6:30 PM, where you will learn pottery basics (wheel throwing, hand building and surface decoration, firing and glazing) while creating your own art pieces. Apart from the pottery sessions, there will be nature walks, yoga/meditation sessions and local sightseeing as a part of the retreat program.
Day 6 (Wednesday) – It‘s time to pack up and gaze at the Dhauladhar ranges for one last time until we see you again. The check–out is at 11 AM after breakfast.
Art pieces you made during the workshop could be fired/glazed and shipped to your address (within India) later in 4 weeks with extra charges of 800-1000/pc depending on size.
For more information on Pottery Retreat please visit our website: Pottery Retreat Details
2. Painting Retreat
This art / painting retreat is perfect to explore creativity, relax, and find inspiration in a peaceful, scenic setting. Curated by a group of retreat experts and facilitators, this 5 days programme provides a break from daily routines, offering guided workshops to learn or enhance artistic skills while connecting with like-minded individuals.
Each day of the retreat features 2-3 hours of art workshops led by different artists, focusing on unique art mediums such as Thangka drawing, Kangra painting, acrylic pouring, charcoal sketching and painting on pottery. In these workshops, you’ll learn the basics of each style while creating your own art piece.
Day 1 (Friday) – Arrive for check-in before 2 PM, allowing yourself to acclimatise. Explore your surroundings, connect with fellow participants and commence your artistic journey with the first art session from 4 PM to 6:30 PM.
Days 2 to 5 – Every day there will be different art workshops with different artists/facilitators, between the breaks there will be a local tour, nature walk, meditation and sound bath sessions. It’s an all-encompassing retreat that promises not only artistic exploration but also a harmonious fusion of creativity, nature, community and self-discovery.
Day 6 (Wednesday) – Check-out is at 11 AM. Art pieces created during the workshop can be conveniently carried out after the retreat at no additional cost.
For more information on Painting Retreat please visit our website: Painting Retreat Details
5 Weeks Beginners Course
Dharamkot Studio offers a comprehensive 5-week Beginners Pottery Course designed for individuals aiming to pursue pottery as a profession or serious hobby. Key aspects of the program include:
Course Duration and Schedule:
The course spans 5 weeks, with multiple sessions available throughout the year. Upcoming sessions in 2025:
- March 7 – April 10
- April 18 – May 22
- May 30 – July 3
- August 15 – September 19
- October 3 – November 7
- November 14 – December 19
Class Size:
- Each batch accommodates up to 5 students, ensuring personalized attention.
Course Content:
Forming Techniques:
- Instruction in both wheel throwing and hand-building methods.
Glazing and Firing:
- Basics of glaze application and understanding the firing process.
Design and Self-Expression:
- Emphasis on design principles and fostering individual creativity.
Course Structure:
- Initial weeks focus on foundational skills in wheel throwing, surface design, and hand-building.
- Subsequent weeks allow students to specialize in their area of interest.
Teaching Methodology:
- Combination of theoretical lessons, demonstrations, guided practice, and self-directed learning.
- Use of mid-range stoneware clay and glazes, with access to electric and gas-fired kilns.
Additional Activities:
- Visits to local pottery studios to interact with experienced potters.
- A student exhibition at the course’s conclusion to showcase participants’ creations.
For more information on 5 Weeks Beginners Course please visit our website: 5 Weeks Beginners Course Details
Artist Residency
- For: Artists/Creatives and Ceramicist
- Dates: July & August 2025
- Duration: 1 to 3 Weeks
The Dharamkot Studio Artist Residency Program is designed for artists from various disciplines seeking a focused and inspiring creative environment. Set in the Himalayan mountains, the residency offers dedicated studio spaces, accommodations, and meals, allowing artists to fully immerse themselves in their practice. The program encourages self-directed work while fostering a sense of community through interactions with fellow artists. It provides an opportunity for experimentation, artistic growth, and deep engagement with one’s craft in a serene natural setting.
Two Options:
- Fully Funded Residencies
Dharamkot Studio is committed to supporting artists whose work aligns with our vision. Fully funded residencies are available for:
- Potters & Ceramic Artists: Artists who primarily work with pottery or ceramics
Art Curators: Curators interested in exploring new ideas in curation, engaging with artists, and deepening their curatorial practice.
- Self-Funded Residencies
Open to artists from any discipline who wish to engage with our space and community. Self-funded residents cover their own expenses.
For more information on Artist Residency Program please visit our website: Artist Residency Program Full Details
Advanced Ceramic Workshops
New Ways With Clay
- Artists: Reyaz Badaruddin and Elodie Alexandre
- Level: Intermediate/advanced
- Dates: 4-9, April 2025
- Details: This workshop is perfect for art enthusiasts exploring new directions in ceramics. Through guided hand-building exercises, participants will create sculptures, experiment with techniques like 2D tracing and collage, and develop creative thinking. Using terracotta clay and slips, they’ll discover innovative ways to deepen their practice and expand artistic possibilities.
For more information on New Ways With Clay Workshop please visit our website: New Ways With Clay Workshop Full Details
Naked Raku
- Artist: Rakhee Kane
- Level: Intermediate/advanced
- Dates: 2-7 May, 2025
- Details: Naked Raku is a specialized firing technique that enhances unglazed surfaces. This workshop is for experienced clay artists eager to explore this process. Participants will learn to remove the outer glaze post-firing, revealing unique textures. With expert guidance, they’ll gain hands-on experience and take home their finished pieces.
For more information on Naked Raku Workshop please visit our website: Naked Raku Workshop Full Details
Screen Printing On Clay
- Artist: Helene Søs Schjødt
- Level: Intermediate/advanced
- Dates: 20-25 Sep, 2025
- Details: In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the fascinating process of silkscreen printing on clay—an exciting technique that blends printmaking with ceramics. By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of how to transfer intricate designs onto clay surfaces, opening up new creative possibilities for your ceramic work.
For more information on Screen Printing On Clay Workshop please visit our website: Screen Printing On Clay Workshop Full Details