Welcome to Aegina Retreats where creativity meets tranquility on the enchanting island of Aegina.
Our concept is rooted in the desire to share our passion for arts & crafts and travelling with those of you who want to rediscover your ability to play with colour and clay like a child, free of judgement, and explore your own creative process in
a warm, welcoming and easy going environment.
At Aegina Retreats, we invite you to embark on a unusual and possibly transformative journey. Embrace your creativity as it is allowed to flow, free and unperturbed, in the calm, warm and welcoming environment of our studio, of the island. Whether you're an artist, a curious beginner or a creative traveller, our workshops provide a unique opportunity to refine your skills, overcome creative blockages and let go of preconceived ideas.
Leave your everyday life behind for a short while, put on your travelling shoes, take a plane and a boat to dock on Aegina. Open new doors to your creativity and your ways of seeing.
All our courses are in English or Greek, with the occasional ones in French.
What you get
A creative paradise
Spend your time creatively by taking one of our workshops or retreats. Experience a journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery.
Our activities provide a unique platform for you to connect with your inner creativity and express
it through a variety of art forms while having fun.
Aegina Island
Aegina is like a small paradise. Just one hour away from the port of Pireaus, it is easy and fast to access from Athens airport. It iso near yet so far: here you will feel space and time stretching. And there is so much to do: explore the island through hiking or swimming, discover local music and food, bathe in its amazing light, surrender to its gentle energy.
Activities
We organise events, weekly and weekend workshops, courses and artist retreats revolving around crafts and arts: ceramics, painting, writing, cooking... with creativity as best friend. Make your choice and join us to explore your creative process, discover Aegina, meet its local artistic community to share and collaborate with.
The Grapevine House
The Grapevine house is located on the edges of the port, where nature starts taking over the landscape. It is situated on a farm land with about 60 pistachio trees and some olive trees; its courtyard has lemon, pomegranate and fig trees, two old grapevines and many cats. It is the perfect place to create your bubble of tranquility and relaxation while taking one of our workshops.
What we do
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We share our experience of 25 years from working in the fields of arts & crafts.
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We offer a series of retreats, workshops, courses and events in our fully equipped ceramics and painting studio.
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We love to play and travel with colour and clay and provide an ephemeral yet unique bubble of immersive experience.
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We design creative retreats for individuals, couples or small groups on the island of Aegina. Perfect, all inclusive, creative escapes where everything is taken care of and you are free to play, create, explore and recharge.
What we offer
Discover the world of ceramics through a playful approach to clay, its various techniques and possibilities. Creative, explorative workshops, retreats and courses.
Our workshops usually run for 7 days, take place at The Cool Projects Studio and focus on specific techniques of pottery, painting and crafts. We give emphasis on the creative process and the tools we can use to enhance it.
Check out our past and upcoming events: open studios and exhibitions from artists & crafters with whom we collaborate, or whose work we want to share with the world.
Our retreats run for 7 days and can be prolonged upon request. They include one of our workshops and an all inclusive pension stay at The Grapevine House. Perfect for solo travellers, couples and small groups.
Work on your own project in a dedicated studio space while enjoying staying at The Grapevine House, with all inclusive hospitality, only 5 minutes walk from the studio.
Our courses run once a week for 3-6 months from November to April. They take place at
The Cool Projects Studio and are booked for the whole period.
Reviews
Maureen Voigt Great place to teach courses! The hosting is wonderful and the place is near the centre of the town.
Phaidra G, Vedic Foundation Course May 2024 In May this year I did a retreat, provided by Yanis and Marina and I loved it! During my stay here I followed the foundation course in Vedic art, taught by Yanis. He is a wonderful artist who guides you in developing your own artist/self more. Very grateful for this experience and still keeping it close to me. Staying at their wonderful home was itself just a magical place to relax/feel at home. Would definitely recommend it to anyone loving to be artistic (painting/ceramics or any other workshop that’s available), being fascinated by it or just wanting a place from where to explore more of the beautiful island of Aegina. Thank you for having me and hopefully until some day soon again! Warm regards
MJ, June 2024 What an incredible experience! I will pass on the knowledge to my girls… Memories for a lifetime and beyond. Thank you Yanis and Marina, with much love.
Betsy Rowland, Vedic Foundation Course June 2024 A week I won't forget. You created a safe, judgement free space for self-expression, self-reflection, creation (and also healing). The ideas and philosophies that you introduced for discussion applied, not just to the creative process in the studio, but also the creative process of living everyday life. Thanks for your commitment, care, authenticity and also the warmth and humour you brought to the experience. And as we know a certain amount of alchemy took place which is hard to put into words.......Thank you Yanis (and Marina). Much love.
Figen Geerts, Vedic Foundation Course October 2024 I had an incredible experience at this unique art studio. It is a space where anyone can freely express, create, and discover, all while connecting deeply with themselves. I took the Vedic Art course and am grateful to have met Yanis, who is both highly knowledgeable and incredibly attentive as a teacher. Huge kudos to Yanis and Marina for creating such a safe and welcoming environment that fosters genuine self-expression.
Ivette B, Shape & Decoreate Ceramics Workshop, August-September 2024 Marina is a very good, friendly teacher, she explains everything very clearly and very patiently. I had a great time at the Cool Projects and learned a lot. Thank you for the full experience.
Maelloushka Dorepine, Exploring Ceramics September 2024 As a fresh beginner, I booked the 7 days “Exploring Ceramiccs” Retreat which was very adapted for me. Marina taught me all the different technics from shaping to decorating and shared her knowledge about clay and history around ceramics. It was a full experience and I got to create freely as many projects as time allowed us with her support and tips. I stayed at the cosy lemon house, with a fridge full of fresh fruits and carefully adapted breakfast for my food intolerances. The olives and pistachio garden is a great scenery, you wouldn’t doubt about being in Greece. The Island is calm and not so filled with tourists, with beautiful beaches and good Taverns for lunch / dinner or drinks. Everything is walking distance, you can rent a bike if you want to explore the island deeper! Marina and Yanis welcomed me with kindness and made sure I was enjoying my time in Aegina on a daily basis. I came back home with great memories, clay knowledge and my Ceramics pieces. I would love to book another workshop with The Cool Project next year, I can only recommend it. Thank you Marina for everything.
E. Dionysopoulou, Beyond the Intellect August 2024 The "Beyond the Intellect" retreat is an all-inclusive experience for someone who seeks to unlock his creativity, comes into contact with painting, different materials and techniques, discovers through concrete steps how creative process works and at the same time spends relaxing time on the beautiful island of Aegina. On top of that, Marina and Yanis are very warm and welcoming hosts! A much enjoyable and rewarding experience overall!
Ayelet Naveh, Vedic Foundation October 2024 My time at the Vedic art retreat in Aegina was exceptional. Yanis, who runs the workshop, shared his knowledge and artistic insights with tailored guidance and a personalized approach, which made this retreat extraordinary. It gave me a unique perspective on the creative process and helped me clear some creative blocks. Marina and Yanis created a peaceful, safe and welcoming environment that felt like home. The food was always fresh and good. I left the retreat feeling calmer, focused, and inspired. I fully recommend this retreat to anyone seeking to expand their artistic vision in the company of real people in a simple yet lovely and unique environment.
Terri Kagan, Vedic Foundation Course September 2024 This course was not technique—or project-based but instead focused on the mental, physical, and spiritual components of creativity. Janis is skilled at encouraging artistic growth and expression while identifying areas for improvement in each student's creativity.
Magali Reijneveld, Vedic Foundation Course September 2024 Thank you!!! I wanted to go to a retreat because life wasn’t working out at the moment and I really needed a change, getting out of my situation and into something new. I ended up choosing this retreat because it seemed so free, relaxed, personal, warm, and holistic—and it really was. I was welcomed with open arms and had a magical time. I learned so much about art and life from Yanis while enjoying the beautiful island and even better company. As dramatic as that may sound, my time in Aegina gave me a new outlook on life, which I will hopefully continue to follow now that I am back. I cannot thank Yanis, Marina and the others I met enough for my time there, for their warmth, love and wise words. I cannot describe my whole time there in one review, but in short, I would recommend that everyone who is thinking about going take the leap. For me, that was a very scary thing to do, but I am beyond happy I did :) Thank you again for everything, and all the best!!
Elena Georgiou, Creative Flow workshop October 2024 Thanking you for such a beautiful week full of wisdoms and learnings that have made me a better artist and a better person. I am so grateful to have stumbled across this workshop and been in your space. Thank you for your hospitality and making my experience in aegina so wonderful. No doubt I will be back, soon. Love, Elena Elena Georgiou, Creative Flow workshop October 2024
Liesbeth Overdijk, Studio Space, September 2024 Thank you Marina & Yanis for giving me such a wonderful time here. You made it possible for me to be in the creative flow. With love,
Léo Egine, son soleil et ses roches, magnifique écrin de créativité. Merci Marina de m’avoir faire découvrir cet endroit et transformé les sensations en création. J’espère revenir à Egine bientôt pour continuer d’explorer la terre avec toi.
Carole Terre. Terre Mère. Laisser faire mes mains… Accepter les surprises Faire avec les aléas Merci Marina pour ta générosité, ton regard, ta bienveillance. Merci pour ce cheminement permis, accompagné. Merci pour ta présence joyeuse, dédiée… dansante.
Guylaine Les mains dans la terre, la tête chavirée par le génie d’Egine. Le stylo trou des mots, le pinceau esquisse une vague. L’un répond à l’autre dans une douce cohérence. Un grand merci pour avoir rendu ce cela possible. Et beau. À bientôt,
The Creative Process by Yzagor
Beyond the Intellect with Yzagor
Shape & Decorate Workshop
