Workshops
It's all about h0w you approach the creative process
At Aegina Retreats, the workshops we offer focus on creativity mainly through ceramics and painting. Occasionally, we combine these activities with other creative approaches, such as writing, voice exercises...
Each session includes brief lectures and a dedicated studio space, fully equipped for painting and ceramics, allowing participants to immerse themselves in learning while experimenting with clay or colour throughout the day.
Our studio spans on two levels of 120 m2 each. The ceramics studio is on the top level and the painting and crafting studio on the bottom level. Both spaces are large and pleasant and beaming with natural light. The bottom level opens up to a spacious, south facing courtyard adjacent to pistachio fields, featuring a beautiful yurt, 6m in diameter and 3m in height, which offers additional workspace or a relaxation corner.
While the studio is close to a road, which may occasionally contribute to some noise, it remains quiet enough and inviting to concentration. It is easily accessible from the port of Aegina, a mere 10mins walk from town, and can be conveniently reached by foot, bicycle, moped or car.
All skill levels are welcome.
The Creative Process by Yzagor
Shape & Decorate Workshop
Beyond the Intellect with Yzagor
Vedic Art - Foundation Course with Yzagor
There are two ways to book workshops:
1. Workshop alone without accommodation. In that case you need to find accommodation on your own. We are happy to help ands make suggestions - some you can see on our Accommodation page.
2. Workshop and accommodation at The Grapevine House.
If you are interested in booking a Retreat, please check here.
Workshops, unless otherwise stated, run for 7 days from Saturday to Saturday at The Cool Projects Studio. We do occasionally run 3 day workshops. Main Language is English, additional languages are Greek and French. Some of our workshops are also available in French, Dutch & Swedish.
We basically run workshops in Ceramics, led by marina, and in Painting, led by Yanis. Through these workshops, what we really hope to do is offer you a new, or if anything different, angle into how to approach the creative process and help you let go of blockages that usually come from too much thinking and judging. The idea is to remember to play, to enjoy, to create... and as we allow this to happen, to get hold of techniques that allow us to better express ourselves. We don't pretend we will teach you something you don't know, but really to help you see and access what is already there, in you, and help you express it creatively.
Painting Workshops with Yanis
1. Beyond the intellect into flowing creativity through painting
“One way ticket to flowing creativity”
Come join Yanis on the island of Aegina, Greece, in this unique opportunity to explore your creative potential through painting.
This 7 day workshop is open to everyone above 18 years old. No previous experience, knowledge or skill is necessary except the desire to be creative and paint.
The workshop is limited to a group of 3-10 participants at a time. It takes place in a bubble of safety and security within which we are free to express, learn and make all the mistakes we want. The bubble serves as an invisible protective layer keeping all kinds of judgement out while creating the necessary conditions for creativity to flow freely and unperturbed.
During the week, you will be guided through theory sessions and practice on painting and how to access your creativity, keep it flowing and expand it. Theory sessions usually take place between 10:00 to 14:00. The rest of the time you are free to use as you like. The studio is available for practice 24/7.
One day will be dedicated to exploring the island: we will take a road trip to draw inspiration and connect with nature.
This workshop will take you through the creative process and how to access it with your painting. We will explore our basic tools for painting, different techniques and materials.
This workshop is open to everyone who likes painting, wether a beginner or an artist; to those who may be used to painting or want to try but haven't done so yet for various reasons; to artists who want to work on their own projects with another approach or in a different setting. It is for all of you who paint regularly for pleasure but feel stuck or blocked or curious or looking for something more.
Vedic Art is a method that was created by Swedish artist Curt Källman in 1988 and it has been taught since then in Oland Sweden by his son, Johannes Källman. It is a method that combines principles of art with the secret Vedic scriptures as they were passed to Curt Källman by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It offers an immersive experience with deep connection to art and life, and can be carried out only by certified teachers.
To follow Vedic Art workshops, you must first take the basic level, which is the Foundation Course, before you can take any of the other workshops, that go deeper into the principles and techniques. At Aegina Retreats, we offer allI levels: Foundation, Continuation, Sculpture & Special courses. So, whether experienced or not, you are more than welcome to delve into the world of Vedic art with us. Vedic Art Greece.
Ceramics Workshops with marina
In our creative flow workshops we give more emphasis and importance to the process of creativitry than the result. We provide a space-time bubble for a week, offering each participant a dedicated space in our fully equipped studio, so that you can both work and relax. We explore clay as well as the creative process, working on creating and establishing a constructive dialogue. We also examine some basic techniques to help you in the process. Each workshop is different as it is interactive to a certain extent and is aimed to reconnect us with our creativity through
2. Shape & Decorate Ceramics workshop
You will be taken step by step through the process of creating black pinch pot cups & bowls, guided by marina, in the fully equipped ceramics studio of The Cool Projects.
Once a year, marina joins up with Maud Vidal-Naquet, a french writer and owner L'Etincelle - Voyager, Ecrire, S'Epanouir. Together, they have put together a creative writing workshop combined with ceramics. Together they take around the island, make you discover some of its most beautiful corners, its mythology... taking you on walks and swims, museum and temple visits, helping you choose your meals... so that you can find the essence of the island. You will write in various settings under Maud's guidance and fun exercises, while marina will open her studio and help you create your clay plates, bowls, cups or whatever shapes you like. Words and Clay will meet and possibly become one. By the end of the workshop you will have objects imbedded with your experience in Aegina to take back home with you.
Other workshops
Guided by talented crafters you will be introduced to all the secrete of natural dyeing fabrics, best practices, materials and processes. Working with natural dyes although fantastic can be very challenging. Get access to all the secrets of this wonderful process.
2. Olive oil Soap Making
Olive oil soap making has been a passion of ours since for the last 10years we have created and distributed through out Europe our favourite brands Cool Soap & Mood of the day.
Learn from the experienced soap makers all the secrets of this beautiful method which is very similar to cooking. You will learn all the basics of soap making both bars and liquid soap. You will also be producing your own soaps both bars and liquid to take home with you. It is a really enjoyable process, easy to learn and fun to carry out. Imagine how much less packaging we would use, if all of us made our own natural soap in our kitchen.
This is not a soap making workshop only: it is a way of promoting a more sustainable way of living while at the same time saying NO to all the chemicals of the cosmetics industry.
