Available all year
Self-guided Residencies
Advanced experience with clay is necessary.
An excellent way to focus on a project and develop it is at Atelier Retiro.
Have you always dreamed of working with total concentration on a single idea? Do you miss art school? Do you want to set a personal deadline? A self-guided residency may be exactly what you are looking for.
Check your calendar and coordinate with ours. You will have access to Atelier Retiro from 10 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week. Assistance will be provided in acquiring the materials you need. You will have access to a fully equipped ceramics atelier and an electric kiln with cone 10 capacity (1300ºC). There is also the possibility of helping you find other kilns in the area (for a fee). Constructive feedback from the community and your peers during your residency will be provided.
Finally, you can give an artist talk to the local community and conclude everything with an exhibition at Nº6 - Ceramics Gallery.
This residency is aimed at artists with advanced knowledge of ceramics. After a guided tour of the studio and an introduction to best studio practices, you will be free to work independently. No instruction will be given, but you may schedule a studio critique of your work at any stage of your residency. You will be welcomed and will work in an active community studio environment.
375€ per week - VAT included
+ materials
Meals are not provided for self-guided residents
A week: exploration, but it is unlikely that you will be able to keep the work.
Two weeks: depending on the size and time, perhaps only bisque work.
Three weeks: ideal if you want to complete and keep the work.
Nicole O'Connor
Nicole O'Connor
We had the very great pleasure to spend a month at Atelier Retiro with Nicole O’Connor our resident artist June 2023.
While working in the studio she wrote poems, told us stories, experimented with printmaking and clay and created caricatures of the houses on Rua do Retiro.
Nicole’s sculptures of historic city center are available for purchase with 100% of the profits donated to Atelier Retiro Community Pottery Studio. Stop by N°6 or message us for details.
“I was a visiting artist for a few weeks at Retiro Atelier, where Joy welcomed me with open arms and an abundance of joie de vivre. At my disposal was a well-equipped atelier with unlimited access. Joy readily sourced and obtained any materials I required to work on my self-paced project.
As a master group facilitator and instructor, it was a pleasure to observe Joy expertly teaching various techniques for working with clay, guiding students from conception to finished products. Her students quickly developed skills and confidence that would typically take much longer to achieve.
Additionally, Joy fosters a wonderful sense of community at the atelier. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with artists from various genres.
All in all, it was an excellent experience.”
Nicole O’Connor
Paloma de la Cruz
Paloma de la Cruz
It was our great pleasure at Atelier Retiro to welcome artist, Paloma de la Cruz, during her Artist in residency with Contextile in 2022.
Her work ethic, kindness and open heart inspired us all.
"Working at Atelier Retiro was really special to me. Joy is so loving and a very happy and funny person. She help me and support me with my ceramic project from the begining to the end.
I was comfortable at the atelier because she cares about my space and I knew wonderful and interesting people there. Also I have to say that the Atelier is a beautiful and cozy place"
Paloma de la Cruz
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Beggining Pottery: zero to 1 kilo
Session 1 | June 1 - 14, 2025
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Portuguese Tiles: Past, Present and Future
Session 2 | June 15 - 28, 2025
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Elevated Beads: Jewelry and Alternative Kilns
Session 3 | June 29, 2025 - July 12, 2025
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Thrown and Altered forms: Animals and Vegetables
Session 4 | July 13 - 27, 2025
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Nº6 | Ceramics Gallery
Art | Events | Ceramics | Exhibitions
