en
May 10 - 17
For Nikos Giasiranis, born and raised on the island of Rhodes in Archangelos, spinning is like brushing his teeth. For generations, Nikos's family has thrown amphoras, and the women painted them. Nikos has his workshop and shop in Archangelos, and we are incredibly proud that he wants to come and teach with us. Think not of the tourist jars, but of real amphoras and other original pieces.
The lessons
Level
- You can center at least 2 kilos of clay
- You have no problem lifting 1-1.5 kilos of clay and want to learn how to go beyond this size
- You're really looking forward to spinning bigger and better and tackling some more complex shapes.
The content
During this special masterclass, Greek ceramicist Nikos will introduce participants to the world of the classical amphora – one of the oldest and most recognizable forms from the Greek ceramic tradition.
The lessons focus on turning techniques such as building large, narrow shapes (possibly in multiple parts), perfectly centering tall cylinders, and assembling them into a harmonious, elegant amphora. You'll learn how form, balance, and proportion come together in an object that is both functional and sculptural.
In addition, Nikos focuses on the typical details of ancient Greek ceramics – the neck, the ears and the foot – and on decorating and finishing the surface with a contemporary translation of traditional motifs.
The goal/outcome:
The focus is on turning and building amphorae – the iconic Greek storage vessels with their elegant necks, handles, and feet. We work on more complex turning techniques : centering larger amounts of clay, building taller forms, joining segments, and refining balance and proportion.
The teacher
Nikos Giasiranis comes from a family of potters in Archangelos , a village on Rhodes where the craft has been passed down for generations. In the family workshop, they still work as they used to: the men potter, the women paint, and his father sells his work in the shop on the main street.
From a young age, Nikos worked at the potters' wheel, learning the craft directly from his father and developing a deep love for the material. The family gathers and refines their own clay from the Rhodesian soil, making each piece literally a product of their island.
What makes Nikos special is his ability to combine centuries-old tradition with contemporary design. His work breathes the rhythm of the island – earthy, precise, and with respect for craftsmanship.
May 10 - 17 Greek Amphoras - Niko Giasiranis
Daily schedule:
yoga - optional 7:00 -8:00
breakfast 8:15 - 8:45
class 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (lunch at 12:00 PM)
3:00 PM free
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM opportunity to practice on the turntable
7:30 pm dinner
What is included?
Daily ceramic lessons
All necessary materials
Optionally one hour of gentle yoga every morning
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, wine, snacks and refreshments, 1 x a restaurant visit
An activity (hiking, truffle hunting, safari tour, beach visit (not the sunbeds), museum visit
To book
Below you can book this retreat and secure your spot. Please indicate which room you'd like to book. You can view the various rooms, their prices, and the cancellation policies under " Prices & Terms ." I hope to see you soon at Ceramicaza in the Dream House.
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