Session 2
Portuguese Tiles:
Past, Present, and Future
June 15 - 28, 2025
No experience with clay is necessary.
Whether you have never worked with ceramics or wish to enhance your decoration techniques, this intensive course is perfect for you. With an intimate class size of just six people, you will receive personalized attention from the instructor as well as from the technicians assisting with the course.
Atelier Retiro and our community welcome you!
We are excited to share this residency with you, enjoy lunches, stories, and create lasting friendships, in addition to ceramic pieces!
In "Portuguese Tiles: Past, Present, and Future," artist Mariana Sampaio invites you to embark on a journey through time via tiles. Together, you will explore with both hands and mind the path this art form has traveled over the centuries. In this residency, you will simultaneously be an alchemist and an artist, discovering the fascinating history of a country with nearly 1000 years of existence through art. The techniques explored include: corda seca, majolica, sgraffito, and 3D sculptural tiles.
During this two-week experience, you will have the opportunity to explore a variety of tile motifs. The residency will include an introduction to the history of Portuguese ceramics, visits to museums, and lectures on the history of Portuguese tiles, along with experiences in Raku firing. It ends with a group exhibition at Nº6 - Gallery of Ceramics, where the community will be invited to share in the joy of your achievements.
-
The classes will be taught in English and Portuguese.
-
It is important that all participants have a spirit of adventure, a willingness to learn, and short, well-groomed nails.
The nails should be short to work at the pottery wheel, allowing the tips of the fingers to be used without scratching or puncturing the clay.
-
Participants should wear clothing and footwear that they do not mind getting dirty.
Additionally, it is important to note that Atelier Retiro does not have air conditioning. It is an old granite building, typically cool, but clothing should be suitable for the season: light in summer and warm in winter.
Atelier Retiro has a washing machine available for residents to wash their muddy clothes.
€2800 per resident - VAT included
All residences based on the curriculum include materials (unless otherwise indicated), lunch, and two snacks, which are included in the residency cost.
All dietary requirements of the residents must be communicated prior to their arrival. All menus will be prepared to be accessible for all residents. It is possible to choose not to partake in the provided meals. Any food and beverages purchased outside of Atelier Retiro are the responsibility of the resident.
€2300 per resident (Without food) - VAT included
All residences, donations or services sold at Atelier Retiro are subject to a tax of +23% in Portugal. We recommend that you consult your local accountant if you wish to obtain information about applicable tax benefits or exemptions in your region. You will receive a formal invoice, receipt, and any necessary documentation upon request.
Classes and residences do not count towards school accreditation.
Mariana Sampaio
Mariana Sampaio
Mariana Sampaio was born in 1991 in Golegã, Santarém, but lives and works in Caldas da Rainha. She holds a degree and is pursuing a Master's in Fine Arts at the Escola Superior de Artes e Design in Caldas da Rainha. In 2016, she completed a technical course in Creative Ceramics at CENCAL in Caldas da Rainha.
In 2017, she opened the doors of her ceramic and fine arts studio to the public, thus launching her brand, Mariana Sampaio Studio.
Currently, she works full-time in her studio, balancing exhibitions, classes, and workshops with national and international artist residencies, where she exhibits her work and teaches about Portuguese techniques and culture through ceramics.
-
![]()
Elevated Beads: Jewelry and alternative kilns
Session 3 | June 29, 2025 - July 12, 2025
-
![]()
Thrown and Altered forms: Animals and vegetables
Session 4 | July 13 - 27, 2025
-
![]()
Self-guided Residencies
Available all year round
-
![]()
Beginning Pottery: zero to 1 kilo
Session 1 | June 1 - 14, 2025
-
![]()
Nº6 | Ceramics Gallery
Art | Events | Ceramics | Exhibitions
