THE SHAPE OF THE LIGHT RETREAT
Marble sculpting, storytelling, photography
May 7th – 11th 2024
Sometimes a swim in the sea is the best way to meditate and de-stress, but what if you could also learn a new craft and engage with your artistic senses while overlooking Aegean sunsets with a glass of local wine?
May is an extraordinary time of the year here in Greece. It is just the beginning of summer (well, really, the final days of spring), with sea waters beginning to warm and a sense of excitement as the island gets ready for the season.
This intimate workshop will engage your primordial senses and create meditative space through working with raw, unpolished material. You will simultaneously be able to document the whole process and the beautiful island of Andros through photography. Exploring the island will inspire you, whether on hikes through lush areas with breathtaking sea views, outings to beautiful villages, or simply sunbathing in the light of golden hour.
No matter your level of expertise, this retreat is open to everyone and will provide a comprehensive and creative approach to your journey.
Tom is a professional sculptor and extensive connoisseur of natural stones. He will guide you through the process of marble sculpting. From mountain extraction to sculpting, students will learn about this ancient form of art and the various sculpting techniques and tools. Each participant will get to practice these techniques and create their very own marble object to take home.
Lucy will introduce you to storytelling through photography and the thoughtful curation of settings on the island to inspire and support your visual journey. She will share her photographic approach in a dynamic, versatile way by exploring the island and its locals and using various props and subjects.
Here’s some more practical information about the retreat:
WHERE:
Mèlisses, Andros, Greece.
WHEN:
May 7th – 11th, 2024
Check-in: From 11 AM (we will be serving all participants brunch and plan on having a few afternoon activities)
Check-out: By 11 AM (if you would like, you can extend your stay after the retreat – see below in the pricing section for more information)
YOUR HOSTS:
Tom von Kaenel - is a Swiss-born sculptor and painter. Alongside his wife Priska, he is the founder of Kalodromo, a line of bespoke Naxian marble objects and sculptures. The Greek island of Naxos has been his home and greatest source of inspiration throughout his artistic journey. Each of his objects or sculptures is unique in form and character.
Lucy Laucht - is a travel, fashion and lifestyle photographer devoted to working with natural light. Her images have been featured in major magazines, including Elle France, Conde Nast Traveller and Vogue Australia. Lucy's analogue and digital work is imbued with a strong sense of story, and her transportive photographs capture the essence of every destination she visits. Each scene sheds light on the soul of a place and the people who live within it.
Allegra Pomilio - Mèlisses’ founder and art director. Her knowledge of hospitality and gastronomy, combined with her photography and visual art skills, strikes the perfect balance on Andros. Born and raised in Abruzzo, Italy, Allegra opened Mèlisses at 24, creating a space for like-minded souls to slow down, embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle, and seek visual inspiration. Featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Condé Nast Traveller, and more, her second home became more than a simple hospitality venue but rather a cherished and sought-after creative retreat for travellers, creatives, epicures, and many more worldwide. Every year, with her team, she hosts curated gatherings focused on discovering the island's wonders, each time with a different perspective and with fresh eyes.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Five days and four nights accommodation at Mèlisses;
All meals during the workshop, including all dinners, lunches, breakfasts, aperitivos/snacks, drinks and refreshments
Daily hands-on practices with Tom von Kaenel, learning sculpting techniques from carving to polishing and much more;
Daily on-the-go photography sessions led by Lucy Laucht, becoming familiar with camera settings as well as capturing the essence of our surroundings;
All materials and tools;
Getting to know and documenting the island and its most secluded corners;
One meal in a local taverna;
Full use of all Mèlisses facilities;
All transfers on the island to and from the house.
Since we will be working with a small group, you will have the opportunity to receive lots of individual attention. After each session, you will have time to ask questions and work on specific techniques. All classes are guided through verbal instruction with optional hands-on assistance and physical demonstrations.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare and/or transportation to and from the island. Travel insurance (highly recommended).
YOU SHOULD BRING:
Camera and laptop, possibly with Camera raw or Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
ACCOMMODATION:
Mèlisses is a home away from home for the curious mind on the wild isle of Andros. Here, we aim to honour and embrace the local land. Located near the beautiful bay of Paleopoli where, underwater, you can still see ruins of the old city; it was once the main port of Andros. Your wake-up is with wide views of the extraordinary uninhabited island of Ghiaros, which is considered legendary and protected for its marine wildlife.
Isolated and remote, Mèlisses strongly embraces and celebrates the mindset and flair of the Mediterranean: slow living, taking in the seasons and bringing together a community of like-minded souls. This allows for a peaceful pace in each of our four accommodations. Inside, smart interior design is crafted with a mixture of Hellenic antique furniture and a hint of Italian extravagance, a careful blending of founder Allegra’s heritage in Abruzzo and her new home in Greece. Our outdoor spaces are designed for conviviality and breathtaking sea views, best experienced with one of our breakfast feasts – our favourite, local tsoureki bread french toast and figs from the tree. Not to forget our secret hidden swim spot, the perfect place to dive into bright blue waters and cool down on hot stones and the Aegean breeze.
This is Mèlisses.
HOW TO REACH US:
For this specific retreat, we encourage our participants to book the following ferry boat from Rafina port to Andros on the 7th of May.
Superferry boat 7.50 AM Rafina (Athens) to Andros (1h 55 duration). Reserve here.
Please consult our Mèlisses guidelines and FAQs here for all details and extra information. We will be sure to share further information about your stay prior to your arrival, including our curated guide to Athens. Do also take note you will not need to rent a car for your trip, we will take care of the transportation for you.
PRICING & ROOMS:
We have six unique rooms available for our guests. Whether you are travelling solo or wish to share accommodation with friends or partners, please review the rooms ahead of time, as you will be required to select your desired room when reserving a spot in the retreat.
Prices below are per person and include accommodation, workshop, meals and activities. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Equally, if you would like to extend your stay beyond the retreat, you can add on a night or two after the 11th of May*
The Sea Urchin suite (private room, ensuite bathroom)
Solo: €3.600
Shared with partner or friend: €3.200 per person
You can extend your stay (for the nights of the 11th and 12th) for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
The Red Mullet suite (private room, ensuite bathroom)
Solo: €3.600
Shared with partner or friend: €3.200 per person
You can extend your stay (for the nights of the 11th and 12th) for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
Master Bedroom (private room, shared common areas)
Solo: €3.450
Shared with partner or friend: €3.200 per person
You can extend your stay (for the nights of the 11th and 12th) for an additional €350 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
Bunk bed** (private room, shared common areas)
Solo: €2.650
Shared with a friend or another participant: € 2.200 per personYou can extend your stay (for the nights of the 11th and 12th) for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
**Please note: Bunk Beds can be reserved individually (Top and Bottom). If you choose to book a single bunk bed, you will be responsible for paying the Solo price if no one else books the other bed. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at info@melissesandros.com
The Oyster rooms (two independent rooms with one shared bathroom)
Room One:
Solo: €2.900
Shared with partner or friend: €2.500 per personRoom Two:
Solo: €2.900
Shared with partner or friend: €2.500 per person
You can extend your stay (for the nights of the 11th and 12th) for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
*If you would like to extend your trip beyond the retreat, we can help organise your few extra days with us. We can arrange transfers, visits to the Neoclassical capital of Chora, organic farms, beautiful beaches and some of our favourite taverns. We do need to specify that this is an extra fee as part of your extended stay and not part of the retreat. We only include breakfast as categorised by our B&B offering.
CANCELLATION POLICY AND PAYMENT:
To participate, full payment will be required upon registration, paid through a bank wire transfer.
Please know that there will be NO REFUNDS due to the nature of this retreat. If you must cancel, we can accept someone to take your place. You must have your travel insurance to participate. Please contact us for any additional information.
*The retreat will be cancelled if we do not reach the minimum number of participants. If this is the case, you will be given at least two months' notice before the scheduled start day of the workshop, and your retreat deposit will be refunded 100%. Refunds will be through international bank wire transfers only, and we won’t be able to refund any travel arrangements made.
The itinerary is a guide, and we reserve the right to make changes in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances for which we may need to alter the order of our outings or replace them with something equally wonderful.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to attend this retreat.
