We need your help!
We need your help!
Five years ago, the artist Joy Hanford founded Atelier Retiro, a community ceramics studio that reflects the meaning of its very name.
In Portuguese, "Retiro" is a safe place, a tranquil space where one can find refuge—a shelter to distance themselves from what troubles them. Over these past five years, Joy has done more than just teach; she has built a creative community integrated into a historic neighborhood, where local residents affectionately call her "neighbor"—a title she considers an honor.
Atelier Retiro is her atelier, the culmination of more than 26 years of experience, and her classes extend far beyond a mere recreational activity to spend an afternoon. The inviting atmosphere of Atelier Retiro attracts generous individuals with common interests and a caring spirit rich in conviviality.
Every day, the doors of Atelier Retiro stand wide open, inviting everyone to experience a space where artists work.
What’s happening?
In 2024, Joy Hanford secured funding expand the community atelier and transform it into a professional development program for young Portuguese creatives.
Her business plan challenged conventions by advocating for a living wage appropriate to the growing housing crisis. Together with her team, they opened Gallery Nº6 - Ceramics Gallery, expanded the curriculum offered at Atelier Retiro, hosted two emerging artists in the training program, hosted a monthly ceramist´s gathering - Clay Date, and produced hundreds of ceramic pieces, all while creating a summer residency program to welcome international artists and creatives, thereby promoting global community growth.
Due to circumstances beyond their control, at Christmas 2024, Atelier Retiro lost this funding resulting in a deficit of almost €40,000, compromising the livelihood of the team and Atelier Retiro's ability to keep its doors open.
Joy did everything in her power, including investing her available resourses, to keep the studio open long enough to launch the 2025 residency program. Fortunately, she secured new investors to ensure the continuity of the studio and the salaries of her team until 2025. However, in this economy, Atelier Retiro needs to demonstrate its growth potential.
And there is no better way to prove this potential than through a successful year with the classes and international residencies in 2025!
What would you do in our place?
Please, if you have any advice, we are open and willing to hear it. Send us a message by clicking the button on the right.
We value and appreciate all of your suggestions and words of encouragement. Being so honest and vulnerable is not easy. Kind words are a gift.
To our local community:
Get involved in the programs offered by Atelier Retiro! Give vouchers as gifts, visit Nº6 - Ceramics Galery for events, and participate in courses and workshops.
To our international community:
We know that distance can make participation in classes or residencies challenging, which is why we have added a donation area to our website. Every donation will be used to keep the doors of Atelier Retiro open and to support programs aimed at emerging artists and professional development opportunities for Portuguese artists.
If you want to participate in one of our self-guided residencies or summer residencies in the future, acquire one this year!
If you cannot attend, your spot will be offered to an emerging Portuguese artist. You will receive updates on the progress and work that the artist develops with the support provided by you. By supporting a scholarship student, Atelier Retiro offers you a 20% discount on a future residency with us.
Anyone who makes a donation will be added to our mailing lists and will receive weekly stories and more detailed updates than what is allowed on social media.
By donating to Atelier Retiro, we welcome you to our community with more in-depth content, such as long videos of "What our Week Looked Like."
“Retiro is truly a gem of a learning space that makes you feel safe and part of a beautiful and diverse community, where you find yourself discovering a lot more past you’d expect to get from clay and its processes. I came there in search of highly specific technical help for a project and left with not just that but an inspiring very new collection of creative references (and a banging music playlist...)”
GABE
“While learning basic sculpting techniques and experimenting with clay was a great experience, I'd say the most rewarding outcome out of my short time spent working at Atlier Retiro, was the community of great artists I joined. That's what keeps me coming back to this unparalleled creative place.”
IAGO
“Retiro was the place that first made me fall in love with clay and show me how much more the practice of ceramic can be. There, I found not only support for all my ambitions, learning from the A to Zs of ceramics, but also an exciting environment of like minded people who radiate great love for their craft and a passion for cultivating loving and inspiring environments.
Always doing their best to meet everyone where they are and to take them to the next step. I will always remmember atelier as a place where there's always laughs, hugs, and amazing art !!!”
KARI
“ O Retiro is a genuine community where I was introduced to ceramic materials and techniques that have strongly influenced my artistic work.”
RYAN
