Let’s Rejuvenate And Reset At These Top Art Retreats

By Aditi Rana

 

 

Imagine escaping into a world where creativity flourishes: it’s just you and your canvas, surrounded by crisp mountain air, tall pine trees, and a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. Art retreats in India offer these scenic settings as the perfect backdrop to nurture your artistic journey. Explore our curated selection of the top retreats across the country, where nature becomes your ultimate inspiration. Here is a list of the best such getaways in India.

 

Andretta Pottery

Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar Range in Himachal Pradesh, Andretta Pottery Studio and Craft Society is India’s oldest pottery studio. Established in 1985 in the heart of Andretta, an artist village, it was founded by Padma Shri Sardar Gurcharan Singh of the Delhi Blue Pottery Trust. Since 1983, his son, Mansimran Singh, known as ‘Mini,’ has carried on this legacy, running and teaching at the studio alongside his wife, Mary. Andretta Pottery is renowned for its use of Himalayan Terracotta to create earthy, utilitarian pots. Much like Ray Meeker’s Golden Bridge Pottery in Puducherry, Andretta serves as a rite of passage for aspiring ceramists. Since 2014, Shubham Sankhayan has been dedicated to advancing this traditional art form, preferring the green environment and clay life over the concrete jungle. He is passionate about taking Andretta Pottery to new heights and reviving the region’s traditional art.

The studio offers a three-month intensive residential course twice a year, where students learn wheel throwing, slip designing, glazing, and firing. This studio is not just a place of learning but a vibrant community where the love for pottery is palpable, making it a must-visit for any art enthusiast.

Cost: The course, which includes accommodation and three meals a day, costs Rs 2,00,000. For those visiting Himachal Pradesh, Andretta Pottery also provides a 45-minute hands-on experience for walk-ins.

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Dharamkot Studio in Dharamshala

Located amidst a serene pine and cedar forest, this art studio offers a peace escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Specializing in clay and ceramics, the studio serves as a medium of expression for art enthusiasts. This community art space is an art sanctuary  where visitors can learn, create, share, and celebrate art.

The studio hosts six-day pottery retreats throughout the year, inviting participants to immerse themselves in hands-on clay work. These retreats provide inspiration, nurture creativity, and offer a chance to slow down through nature walks, yoga, and meditation. Pottery, known for teaching patience, empathy, acceptance, exploration, and experimentation, ensures that participants return home rejuvenated, with a new hobby and valuable life skills.

Dharamkot Studio welcomes anyone above 18, accommodating six to 12 people per retreat. This studio is more than just a learning space; it’s a vibrant community where the love for art is celebrated and nurtured.

Cost: From Rs 44,500 + 18% GST, including a private room, meals, workshops, materials and other activities.

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Aura Pottery, Chandigarh

 

Set amidst an expansive property featuring an organic kitchen garden, winding walking paths, meditation circles, an orchard, and a swimming pool, this luxurious pottery retreat mélanges relaxation with learning. Whether seeking an escape from the mundane or an in-depth learning experience, Aura Pottery offers both fun weekend getaways and extended stays ranging from one week to 12 weeks. Their retreats cater to individuals 18 and above, providing a serene environment to learn a new skill while unwinding. For those unable to stay overnight, non-residential options are also available. At Aura Pottery, you can immerse yourself in pottery, relax within the lush premises, and rejuvenate your mind and body.

Cost: From Rs 6,000, including studio and material use, instruction, accommodation and meals.

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The North Estate Naggar

In 2017, the Himachal-based collective NORTH was born, inspired by the north star as a guiding light. Nestled amidst towering deodar trees, overlooking the gushing Beas River and the majestic Dhauladhar range, NORTH offers a serene escape from city life. This visual delight serves as a haven for those wishing to connect with nature.

The collective comprises young designers and architects working from a creative studio in the heart of Naggar. Every four to six months, a new batch of academic interns joins them to learn the nuances of vernacular architecture. Their team focuses on researching and constructing natural, earthquake-resilient structures such as homes, eco-resorts, cultural haats, and temples across India. They are also dedicated to restoring heritage buildings.

Twice a year, the NORTH campus hosts artist residencies. This program attracts creative individuals seeking inspiration from Himachali life, culture, history, and craftsmanship. Six artists, along with local craftspersons, stay on the campus for 15-20 days, working on specific projects. NORTH is not just a place of learning and creativity but a community that celebrates and preserves the rich heritage and natural beauty of Himachal Pradesh.

Cost: Prices are subject to change

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Samsara Farmstay Naggar

Located just three kilometers from the town of Naggar in the quaint village of Nashala, Seth’s five-bedroom seeking slow farm-stay is a sanctuary surrounded by fruit orchards and a pine and cedar forest on three sides, with views of the village on the fourth. Inspired by the Himachali aesthetic, the property welcomes the slow village life. Built using traditional methods and local materials, it features wooden floors, ceilings, and jharokha-style balconies that offer stunning views of the snow-capped peaks.

Seth, a commercial artist by qualification, left the corporate world in 2010 to start The Colour Caravan, a slow fashion and lifestyle brand rooted in indigenous crafts. She moved to Himachal Pradesh in 2016 to work with the local craft community and has lived there ever since. Initially, Seth hosted women guests in her old home with just one spare room. The farm-stay came to life when she met her founding partner, Richa Tandon, who helped her scale up the idea and supported her vision.

This art retreat is a place for solitude, poetry, and art. Guests can spend their days ambling through adjacent forests, neighbouring orchards, and villages dotted with traditional Himachali wooden houses. They can also curl up with a book from Seth’s extensive collection or play with her two dogs, Ollie and Chutki. For art enthusiasts, the estate of the late Russian painter Nicholas Roerich is nearby, showcasing his works, personal belongings, and offering beautiful views of the Himalayas. Seeking Slow Farm-stay is more than a retreat; it’s an experience calmness and cultural richness.

Cost: Seeking Slow Farm-stay, Naggar; doubles from Rs 5,000 for a minimum two-night stay.

 

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