Lisa Stevens X Aura
Molding Moments Retreat with Lisa Stevens
Sept 09-16, 2024
Welcome to our revitalizing retreat nestled in the heart of India, where pottery, yoga, and meditation intertwine to offer a truly immersive experience. Participants will have the opportunity to explore creative ways to make unique textures and patterns using simple tools with Lisa Stevens. This relaxing practice will give you a great base to continue building your own style throughout the week and once you return home.
Our participants will not only engage in the hands-on experience of pottery but also enjoy homemade, farm-to-table meals that promote overall well-being.
Join us for a transformative journey that blends creative expression, mindfulness, and cultural exploration, providing a unique opportunity to recharge and rediscover balance in the midst of India’s timeless beauty.
Meet The Artist- Lisa Stevens
Operating from a cozy home studio near Bristol Airport in the UK, Lisa Stevens draws inspiration from various natural elements such as coral reefs, flowers, and geological formations, infusing them into her creations. Preferring hand sculpting over conventional methods, she meticulously creates intricate patterns using an array of small tools, ensuring each piece is distinctly unique.
Through her art, Lisa aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, advocating for individual actions to make a collective impact. Lisa’s pieces are in private collections throughout the world but she feels her most important pieces are the small public art installations created for Cheltenham Paint Festival and Look Up Portsmouth. These combine eye catching patterns with an environmental message.
Retreat Schedule
Day 1: Monday, September 9th
Arrive at Aura, get acquainted with the farm during an introductory tour, and meet the team.
Introduction to the studio space, meet Lisa and discuss the projects we’ll be doing together.
Welcome dinner followed by a presentation by Lisa sharing her motivations and work.
After a short demonstration, get hands on using simple tools to explore textures on a small tile.
Day 2: Tuesday, September 10th
Start the day with some soothing Yoga and meditation followed by breakfast.
A visit to the pottery village and Botanical Gardens where you can take inspiration from the natural forms.
Lunch.
More exploration of textures using moulds to form simple concave or convex pieces with complicated textures.
Post studio time, freshen up or take a swim before diving into a special North Indian dinner.
Day 3: Wednesday, September 11th
Begin the day with a tranquil yoga and meditation session, allowing your body and mind to find balance and serenity.
Add more form to your pieces with pinched and sculpted elements. Explore ridges, waves, fans, branches, petals and spikes.
Pause for Lunch.
See how far you can push the clay! Add texture around and onto your sculpted elements and see how this transforms them.
Games night.
Dinner.
Day 4: Thursday, September 12th
Get some alone time and relax this morning, followed by breakfast.
Building on what you’ve discovered so far, Lisa will be on hand to give one-to-one advice and personalized demonstrations.
Starting to think about final projects and how you can connect your ideas with the new techniques you’ve learned. This week is all about introducing you to new ways of working that spark your imagination and creativity and that you can keep building on in the future.
Lunch in Chandigarh along with some shopping and sightseeing and the local market.
End the evening with dinner and discussions with Lisa on individual projects for sculptures inspired by Chandigarh and the natural surrounds over dinner.
Day 5: Friday, September 13th
Yoga and meditation followed by a fulfilling breakfast.
There will be time to sketch your ideas, or, if you prefer, you can go straight in, allowing your sculptures to grow intuitively.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and unwind with a movie night in the home theater.
Day 6: Saturday, September 14th
Start with yoga and meditation, followed by breakfast on the pool deck.
More clay work, and you’ll have the chance to add color to your pieces using underglaze, should you wish to do so.
Enjoy dinner and a presentation by Lisa, your host, on her journey and style as a ceramic artist.
Day 7: Sunday, September 15th
Embark on a refreshing morning trek, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature.
This day is for relaxing, observing and soaking in everything that you learnt.
Wrap up projects in the studio by adding final touches, cleaning up and storing for drying.
Farewell dinner, share experiences and conclude the retreat.
Day 8: Monday, September 16th
Retreat Price
USD 1800 inclusive of all studio materials, glazes and firings, meals, accommodation, and all the mentioned activities.
Your Stay
Pottery Retreat residents stay at the Potters Villa during their time here. The villa is a small building towards the far end of the property; it faces the orchard and is a two-minute walk from the studio. The villa is a cozy space with all rooms opening onto a central lounge where residents get together for meals, music and socializing with other residents, making the retreat a fulfilling experience..
The farm is home to great architecture, lawns and a myriad shades of green, making it inspirational for people with diverse interests.
Your Room
Each room is tastefully furnished and equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a restful and relaxing stay. Sink into the plush beds after a long day of pottery, and refresh yourself in the privacy of your en-suite bathroom, complete with all the essentials to make you feel at home.
Your Meals
We believe in the power of food to nourish both body and soul, which is why we take pride in serving delicious vegetarian & non vegetarian meals made with farm grown/locally sourced produce.
Your Surroundings
Sprawled over 3 acres, Aura offers beautiful outdoor spaces for you to enjoy. Grab a book & a beverage and find yourself by our infinity pool. After a busy day in the studio, take a dip in the pool and relax. A walking path around the entire periphery of the property takes you through our fruit orchard, organic kitchen garden, ponds, potters villa and the meditation circle. You could also find a great spot for a picnic & catch some hammock time.
DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00 – 8:00 am
Morning activity
Breakfast
Studio time
Lunch and rest
Studio time
Rest and freshen up
Dinner
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Interactive activity
Terms
1. A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the price of the Booking is required within 7 days of us issuing a booking confirmation.
2. The balance of the price of the Booking is payable 60 days prior to arrival at Aura Pottery. Last minute Bookings (booked within 60 days of departure) must be paid in full before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation of the booking.
3. All cancellations should be made in writing. The following cancellation charges will be payable:
If cancellation is received more than 60 days prior to arrival: 20%.
If cancellation is received from 60 days to 31 days prior to arrival: 50%.
If cancellation is received less than 31 days prior to arrival: 100%
4. All finished work will rest and dry in the studio for a few weeks before it is fired by the studio and shipped to each participant.
5. Shipping charges will apply as per logistics company estimates.
6. Participants must be at least 18 years or older to attend this retreat.
7. Prices and Schedules/Itineraries as shown on the website are subject to change. We reserve the right to change retreat/day trip/event prices, or prices of individual add-on components, without prior notice.
8. Participants must notify at hello@aurapottery.com of any dietary restrictions and allergies at the time of booking.
9. You acknowledge that retreat photographs and images which include you can be published by Aura Pottery or Lisa for the company’s marketing purposes.
10. Residents can request a load of laundry, which is chargeable at INR 500 per load.