Clay & Culture in Greece 

Master the Ancient Art of Bucchero

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Under Kala's expert guidance, you'll learn Bucchero,  a distinctive ceramic technique that creates lustrous black pottery through a unique reduction firing process. Originally perfected by the Etruscans between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, this ancient method involves firing pottery in a reduced-oxygen atmosphere, transforming iron oxide in the clay to achieve the characteristic deep black color and metallic sheen.

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The pottery is burnished (polished by rubbing) before firing, creating the high, almost metallic finish that is the hallmark of Bucchero pottery. This sophisticated ancient technique offers a perfect bridge between Greece's ceramic heritage and contemporary artistic expression.

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Sacred Sites & Ancient Wonders

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Temple of Aphaia - The Sacred Triangle

Visit the magnificent Temple of Aphaia, a remarkably well-preserved ancient Greek temple that forms part of the sacred triangle with the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. This 5th-century BCE temple, dedicated to the goddess Aphaia, offers breathtaking views and profound connections to ancient Greek spiritual practices.

The three temples create perfect isosceles triangles when viewed from above, representing a sophisticated understanding of sacred geometry that continues to inspire artists and architects today.

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Archaeological Museum of Aegina

Explore Greece's first National Archaeological Museum, founded in 1829 by Ioannis Kapodistrias. This remarkable institution houses an extraordinary collection of ceramics spanning from prehistoric times through the Roman period, including findings from the Temple of Aphaia, the Temple of Ellanios Zeus, and various archaeological sites across Aegina.​

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The museum's collection includes ceramics from across the Greek world, including vases from the Cyclades and Crete, demonstrating the intense commercial activity of ancient Aegineans. This unique collection not only showcases the ceramic traditions of Aegina but represents pottery styles and techniques from throughout Greece, offering invaluable insights into the evolution and regional variations of ancient Greek ceramics.

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Meet Renowned Artists of Aegina 

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Theodora Chorafas
Celebrated contemporary Greek ceramic artist known for innovative approaches to traditional forms and installations. Theodora’s studio is located on a multi-generation pistachio plantation and she is the center of the ceramics community on the island while showing internationally.

 

Margarita Ecclisiarhou
Renowned Greek ceramicist recognized for her distinctive techniques with porcelain and cultural interpretations of sea forms and the microcosmos. Margarita’s home and studio overlook the sea and was built in the traditional way with locally quarried stone.

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Paul Walker 

A British minimalist painter and printmaker who has made Aegina his home. His geometric abstractions draw inspiration from nature's mathematical patterns, from molecular structures to planetary systems, distilling these forms into refined compositions that explore the interplay of color, shape, and negative space. 

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Culinary & Cultural Immersion

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Authentic Greek Dining Experiences

Every meal is carefully curated to provide a complete immersion into Greek culinary culture. All restaurants and menus are personally selected by Meraki’s founder, Catherine Keenan, to showcase the finest local ingredients, traditional recipes, and regional specialties that define authentic Greek cuisine.​  From seaside tavernas on Aegina serving the day's fresh catch to hidden gems in Athens known only to locals, each dining experience is chosen to complement your artistic journey with flavors that have inspired Greek culture for millennia.​​

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Accommodations & Our Aegina Studio

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Boutique Accommodations

Stay in carefully selected boutique hotels that reflect the character and charm of each location. These intimate properties offer authentic Greek hospitality while providing modern comfort and unique local ambiance.

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Cool Projects Art Center

Work in the inspiring studios of Cool Projects Art Center on Aegina Island, hosted by talented artists Marina Coriolano-Lykourezos and Yanis Zagorianakos. This noted creative space provides the perfect environment for ceramic exploration and artistic collaboration.​​

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What's Included

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Accommodations

• Boutique hotel in Athens (2 nights)

• Boutique hotel on Aegina Island (7 nights)

• Hotel checkout on Aegina: June 6th

• Specific hotel details provided after full payment

Meals

• Daily breakfast throughout the retreat

• 5 carefully curated dinner experiences

• Daily lunch on Aegina Island

• Wine tasting featuring Greek varietals

Experiences

• All ceramic instruction and materials

• Private museum tours

• Studio visits with renowned artists

• Archaeological site visits

• Cultural immersion activities

Transportation

• Ferry tickets to Aegina (May 29th)

• Ferry tickets from Aegina (June 6th)

• Luxury transportation between venues during the retreat

• Additional travel assistance available before/after retreat for a fee

 

Important Travel Information

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The retreat begins on May 27th at 5:30pm with our group gathering for a meet and greet and an introduction to the retreat, followed by a family style dinner with an amazing view of the Acropolis. We kindly ask that you plan your travel in order to attend this event.

 

The retreat concludes with a closing review of the artwork created followed by dinner on the evening of June 5th, 2026. However, please note that boat services from Aegina Island do not operate at night, so departure from the island will be on June 6th. Hotel checkout on Aegina is June 6th. Please plan your onward travel accordingly.

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Registration Information

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Workshop Dates: May 27th - June 6th, 2026
- Athens hotel check in: May 27th  

- Aegina hotel check out: June 6th
 

Locations: Athens & Aegina Island, Greece

 

Early Bird Registration

October 6th - November 30th, 2025
Limited spaces available

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