Andy X Aura
Rise of the Phoenix Retreat with Andy
February 26 - March 4, 2025
About the Retreat
Join us for a pottery retreat at Aura Pottery, where you’ll dive into the art of sgraffito. Designed for intermediate potters, this retreat focuses on learning how to create and carve motifs that tell your personal story, inspired by Anuja’s (Andy’s) Phoenix Collection. Participants will collaborate to build two totem poles, where each person contributes a piece that reflects their individual style and journey.
The retreat emphasizes hands-on learning, as you master the art of drawing and carving using the sgraffito technique. By the end of the retreat, you’ll have contributed to a meaningful and cohesive artwork that combines diverse stories into a pair of striking totem poles.
Participants will also create a personal hand-built piece, which will be completed during the retreat, fired, and shipped to them after the experience.
What to Expect
- Collaborative Totem Poles: Design and carve your own pieces for the totem poles. Each section will represent the unique experiences and perspectives of participants, brought together into one complete artistic structure.
- Personalized Motifs: Learn how to create motifs that express your personal story, using sgraffito to bring your design to life.
- Master Sgraffito Techniques: Deepen your understanding of sgraffito through practical learning, honing your skills in carving, contrast, and surface treatment.
- Architectural Grandeur: The totem poles will serve as a visual statement pieces, suitable for modern interiors or outdoor spaces, blending individual contributions into a unified whole.
- Studio Time and Camaraderie: Alongside the focused studio sessions, you’ll enjoy evenings filled with creative conversations and shared experiences.
Meet Anuja a.k.a. Andy
Anuja, known as Andy in the studio, is an expert in surface decoration techniques, particularly carving and sgraffito. Her Phoenix Collection is known for its attention to detail and storytelling through ceramics. Andy will guide participants in creating personal motifs and teach them how to apply the sgraffito technique, helping to bring each story to life.
Andy’s Artistic Philosophy
- Process Over Product: Andy emphasizes the value of each step in the creative process, encouraging participants to explore and enjoy the making journey.
- Collaboration and Learning: She fosters a studio environment where knowledge and techniques are freely shared.
- Inspiration from Nature: The surroundings at Aura Pottery are often reflected in Andy’s designs, with natural elements playing a role in her work.
Retreat Schedule
Day 1 & 2 : Welcome & Foundations of Sgraffito
- Arrive at Aura Pottery and settle into the Potter’s Villa.
- Meet the team, tour the farm and studio, and unwind with a welcome dinner.
- Introduction to the retreat’s objectives and the sgraffito technique.
- Design and start building your personal hand-built piece, leaving it to leather dry by day’s end.
Day 3: Totem Pole Design & Carving Basics
- Begin conceptualizing your totem pole segments.
- Learn carving techniques and practice on test tiles before transferring designs to the pre-made totem pole pieces.
Day 4: Totem Carving Session
- Focus on carving two sections for the collective totem poles.
- Andy provides personalized tips and feedback to enhance your skills.
Day 5: Personal Project Carving
- Return to your hand-built piece and carve intricate motifs using sgraffito techniques.
- Experiment with storytelling through your designs, incorporating inspiration from the natural surroundings.
Day 6: Collaborative Finishing Touches
- Finalize your totem pole contributions and refine the group artwork.
- Reflect on the creative process during an evening celebration with the group.
Day 7: Farewell & Departure
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast with new friends.
- Leave your pieces for firing and shipment, taking memories and newfound inspiration with you.
Retreat Price
Residential Retreat
Potters Villa
USD: 980 (International wire transfer)
INR: 82400/- (18% GST applicable)
The Private Residence
USD: 1380 (International wire transfer)
INR: 113750/- (+18% GST applicable)
Price is inclusive of all studio materials, and three fresh meals daily, accommodation, and all the mentioned activities.
Non- Residential Workshop
USD: 600 (International wire transfer)
INR: 49500/- (18% GST applicable)
Price is inclusive of the workshop, all studio materials, and lunches. Timings: 11AM to 7 PM.
*Each participant will need to arrange their own travel to Aura Pottery.
Your Stay
The farm is home to great architecture, lawns and a myriad shades of green, making it inspirational for people with diverse interests.
Potters Villa
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 Private Residence
Surrounded by lush gardens and serenity, and home to more than a hundred lifestyle ceramics, handcrafted in the studio, you can expect to immerse yourself in an elegant ambience and unwind in utmost comfort
Your Meals
We believe in the power of food to nourish both body and soul, which is why we take pride in serving simple home cooked 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
Breakfast
Studio time
Lunch and rest
Studio time
Dinner
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 30 days prior to arrival at Aura Pottery. Last minute Bookings (booked within 30 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 30 days prior to arrival: 20%.
If cancellation is received from 30 days to 15 days prior to arrival: 50%.
If cancellation is received less than 15 days prior to arrival: 100%
4. Firing charges are INR 100/ 100 grams. We need 3-4 weeks to fire the pieces.
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 Austin for the company’s marketing purposes.
10. Residents can request a load of laundry, which is chargeable at INR 500 per load.
11. Participants are free to bring their own alcohol and snacks.