EDITORIAL LISTING: This listing was prepared by the AtelierBound editorial team using publicly available information. Dates, availability, final pricing, and any options such as occupancy or materials should be confirmed directly with the host before making any plans. If you run this retreat, contact us at hosts@atelierbound.com to claim your listing and take full control of your page, add your own photographs, and respond to guest enquiries. From 1 to 7 November 2026, at Casa Paço d'Ilhas just outside the Portuguese coastal town of Ericeira, ceramicist Gaëlle Van Branteghem hosts the Clay Retreat: a six-night wheel-throwing week for up to sixteen guests, split into groups of eight beginners and eight intermediate-to-advanced throwers. Gaëlle takes the beginners; Belgian production potter Silvi De Jaeger takes the advanced group. The groups alternate morning and afternoon studio sessions across the week, leaving half of each day free. Days off take in the property's two pools, the beach at Ribeira d'Ilhas nearby, and optional add-ons of yoga, massage, surfing or wine tasting. Meals are locally-sourced organic with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. A mid-week visit to a Portuguese olaria and a sunset firing on Day 6 round out the programme; up to three finished pieces are glazed and shipped home. Pricing shown is an approximate USD equivalent converted from EUR. Please confirm the final price, currency, and options for single or double occupancy with the host directly before booking.

Website Link

https://www.gaelleceramica.com/the-clay-retreat?utm_source=atelierbound&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=listing

What's Included

6 nights' accommodation at Casa Paço d'Ilhas (choice of shared house, twin room, ocean view or garden double, or shared apartment), daily breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner prepared from locally-sourced organic ingredients, pottery instruction with Gaëlle Van Branteghem (beginners) or Silvi De Jaeger (advanced), studio time in the pool house studio with wheel access, clay and studio materials, mid-week visit to a Portuguese olaria (traditional pottery), sunset firing on Day 6, glazing and shipping of up to 3 finished pieces per guest, use of the property including two swimming pools and gardens, unlimited Wi-Fi

Leader Bio

Gaëlle Van Branteghem founded Gaëlle Ceramica in Ericeira after moving to Portugal in 2017 and taking up wheel-thrown pottery under local ceramist Sr. Paulo in Mafra. She hosts the Clay Retreat at Casa Paço d'Ilhas with fellow Belgian ceramicist Silvi De Jaeger (advanced group) and occasional guest teachers, running multiple cohorts through the year for beginners and experienced throwers.