EASTER RITUALS IN IKARIA – A Journey into Art & Tradition
Artistic Director Dr. Anna Meli
This Easter, we invite you to experience Ikaria in a different way. A week dedicated to creativity, nature, and the island’s authentic hospitality.
From Holy Monday, April 6th, to Easter Monday, April 13th, Artemis Studio opens its doors for an all‑inclusive experience that blends ceramic art, nature, flavors, and tradition.
An experience for those seeking the calm of creation and a deeper connection with local customs, far from fast‑paced rhythms.
Our goal is to create our own Ikarian table set, the Ritual Set, and inaugurate it at the Easter meal. To gather around a large family table, each person contributing their own beautiful, unique, deeply personal pieces. To sit together and share a festive, artistic, and above all spiritual symposium.
The journey (litterary) is not only the destination — the Ikarian table set — but the entire process. Participants will experience something truly special: the transformation of clay, of earth, into shapes that take form and color according to our needs, our mood, our energy, and our personal aesthetic. During the ceramic workshops, with all our passion, we will create a unique table set meant to last a lifetime: mugs, breakfast bowls, plates, platters, or small dipping dishes — just a few ideas.
When the experience is complete, participants in addition to their ceramic creations, notes from the cooking classes, and photos from the entire week, will take with them a unique memory that they will keep forever.
PROGRAM
Our day will start with a delicious Greek breakfast. We will plan the goals of the day and share our ideas. Then we will go up to the workshop and begin creating our works, with Dr. Anna Meli guidance at all stages: in the design, in the selection of materials, in smoothing and finally decoration. We will work with oxides, with underglases, with colored slips and glasses. We will all throw pottery on the wheel, use the Slab-roller and other tools of the well-equipped workshop. When our ceramic objects come out of the oven, everyone will be able to use them immediately for breakfast or lunch, to drink their coffee and tea during the break.
All this will happen in the morning hours. Our afternoon program will be more open. One can participate in traditional cooking classes, learn how to make the sweets of Greek Easter: cookies, ‘tsourekia’ (brioche) and Ikarian biscuits ‘finikia’. With a hands-on approach, we will create the dinner menu together: traditional Ikarian and fasting recipes that the festive days require. If someone prefers not to join the cooking group, they are welcome to continue working in the studio or simply take a break with a walk to Nas beach or to the river.
One afternoon — depending on the weather — we will take a short and easy hike through the magical, blooming landscape of springtime Ikaria, following local trails. We may collect herbs and enjoy a small meal in nature.
No artistic retreat during Easter would be complete without the spiritual element of the holiday. On Holy Friday evening, we will visit the church of Agios Nikolaos to hear the hymns of the Epitaphios, and on Holy Saturday night we will attend the Resurrection service. After the service, we gather for the festive meal with traditional “mageiritsa.” On Easter Sunday, the celebration begins from the morning— delicious flavors, with music and, for anyone who wishes, dancing!
BOOKING & DEPOSIT POLICY
All‑inclusive cost: €1,900
Due to the limited number of spots (8), a 30% deposit (€570) is required to secure your reservation.
Early Bird: Book by March 5th and benefit from the special price of €1,750.
Press the button to fill the application form and book your spot, or go to https://forms.gle/eEK1buY2XxKpqBtE6.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. What does the price include?
The retreat is fully all‑inclusive, allowing you to focus entirely on your creative experience. It includes:
- Accommodation: 7 nights at Artemis Studios with sea view.
- Full board: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily at our family restaurant (including the festive Easter meal).
- Intensive Ceramics Workshops: Daily use of the fully equipped studio, guidance, all materials (clays, glazes), and all firings.
- Culinary Workshops: Traditional Ikarian cooking and Easter sweets.
- Activities: Guided nature walk and participation in local Easter rituals.
- Transfers: Private transfer to/from Ikaria airport or port.
- Welcome Kit: A premium welcome package with local products.
2. Do I need previous experience in ceramics?
No. The workshop is designed to guide beginners through their first steps, while offering advanced techniques and creative freedom to those already familiar with clay.
3. How do I get to Ikaria?
Ikaria is connected to Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport) with daily flights (45 minutes), and by ferry from Piraeus to Evdilos or Agios Kirykos.
We can help you with travel information.
4. Is transportation from the airport/port included?
Yes, your transfer to and from your arrival point on the island (Evdilos Port or Ikaria Airport) on the first and last day is included.
5. Can you accommodate dietary needs?
Our family restaurant focuses on fresh, local ingredients.
Please inform us in advance of any allergies or dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free) so we can adjust your meals accordingly.
6. Will I be able to take my ceramics home?
Of course! Your pieces will be fired and glazed during the week.
If any items need more time to dry, we will ship them to you safely (with a small additional shipping cost).
7. What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes for the studio (that you don’t mind getting dirty), athletic or hiking shoes, swimsuit and sunscreen, and some warm layers for cooler evenings.
We provide all ceramic tools and materials.
8. Are drinks and alcohol included?
As part of Ikarian hospitality and the holistic retreat experience, we offer local wine (1–2 glasses per person) with meals, as well as herbal infusions and fresh juices.
The retreat focuses on clarity, creativity, and well‑being, so alcohol consumption remains moderate.
Additional drinks, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages beyond what is included can be purchased at the restaurant.
About Artemis Studio
Since 1981 the Artemis Studio in Nas village is traditionally run by our family. It is the ideal destination for those who wish to visit the island of Ikaria. It is located above the Chalaris’ canyon with a panoramic view of the ruins of the Artemis’ Temple and the beautiful bay of Nas. The “Artemis Studio” consists of the restaurant-cafe, the rooms and the ceramic art workshop.
Beginning early in the morning you can enjoy your coffee and a hearty breakfast with a breath-taking view to give you the best start of your day. Returning from the beach, which is just a few minutes away, we will welcome you with romantic sunsets, traditional delicacies and good wine.
About Dr. Anna Meli
Dr. Anna Melí is an artist and researcher from Ikaria, born in 1986 in Athens. In 2021, she completed her doctoral dissertation at the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA), supported by a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation. In 2015, she earned the European Master’s degree “Art, Virtual Reality and Multiuser Systems of Artistic Expression” (ASFA and University Paris 8), and in 2010 she graduated from ASFA with a degree in Painting.
Her work combines typography and new media, based in narration and interactivity. She has participated in international conferences and exhibitions. Since 2006, she has been organizing art seminars in Ikaria, and since 2015 she has served as the artistic director of her family business, Artemis Studio, in Ikaria, Greece. You can find more infromation on https://annameli.com/.
