Aug 1, 2023

The ceramic art | From ancient Greece until today the pottery workshop, the New Yoga! | Nea Makri

Updated: Aug 5, 2023

Pottery making is one of the most ancient arts ever recorded. With a unique combination of usability and aesthetics the clay creates utensils for everyday use or sculptures for decoration.

Clay ceremonial lamp representing a couple of the gods Sarapi and Isis. From the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods in Brexiza Nea Makris – Marathon, Greece. | Pic.: Lifo

The oldest known ceramic artifact is dated as early as 28,000 BCE (BCE = Before Common Era), during the late Paleolithic period. It is a statuette of a woman, named the Venus of Dolní Věstonice, from a small prehistoric settlement near Brno, in the Czech Republic. The first signs of ceramic finds in Greece are discovered in Crete dating back to 7,000 BC. while the first clay vessels of the Neolithic period appear around 6,000 BC.

One of the most famous producers of wares in history are the Greeks with the striking black figures on ancient Greek pottery, the three-dimensional models in clay beloved by the Etruscans and Celadon pottery from Korea and Ming dynasty porcelain.

Black Figure Pottery is a type of Greek pottery named after the colour of the scenes painted on vessels. It was first produced in Corinth c. 700 BCE and then adopted by pottery painters in Attica, where it would become the dominant decorative style from 625 BCE. Athenian vases then dominated the Mediterranean pottery market for the next 150 years. Here is an Attic red-figure pitcher depicting the first abduction of Helen, by Theseus, in a chariot prepared by Peirithus while her sister Phoebe bids her farewell. By the angiographer Polygnotos. Probably from Marathon. Kyriazi donation. | Pic.: Lifo

We had the chance to visit the Archaeological Museum of Marathon in Greece and have a closer look at the Greek pottery collection. Most of the finds from the excavations in the local area are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Marathon, located in Vrana. The Museum was inaugurated in 1975, while it was renovated in 2004 - the clay pots are exhibited in the 6th room of the museum.

Clay pots in various designs and sizes on display at the Archaeological Museum of Marathon | Pic.: Culture Gov

Pottery Is the New Yoga! Here's to the Mind-Clearing Benefits of Clay

“New York Times” in one of their articles, called the pottery as the “New Pilates” and the “US Vogue” as the “New Yoga” and it is a fact that this art specifically relaxes as few can. Τhe re-emergence of pottery as a popular hobby started taking place a couple of years ago says the “Guardian”. Ceramics has re-emerged as a popular hobby, offering an antidote to the onslaught of tech – and a sustainable creative outlet in a wasteful society.

It is true that manual work always helps to distract our mind from the worries of everyday life, but this one has other advantages as well. First, it is inventive, as you may create something practical for you, for example a mug, feeling creative and useful at the same time. In addition, this creation is yours, is made by you, is having your stamp on it, a fact that for sure will bump up your confidence. And of course, the child memories: working with clay, is taking you back in time, when you were a kid playing with playdough, feeling carefree!

Keep in mind that ceramics are produced with zero pollution from natural materials, that are biodegradable. That doesn’t mean ceramics will disintegrate quickly, but it gradually disintegrates into smaller pieces, which are not toxic to the environment.

Pottery workshop in Nea Makri – a unique art experience

When someone creates ceramics, studies show that the stress levels in everyday life are significantly reduced. This has significant improvement in someone’s good mood, so we could say that this hobby also works as a holistic anti-depressant. At the same time, what many people do not take into consideration is that during a pottery class, our body is also exercised, as pottery requires physical strength!

Our volunteer Mara Manolakaki at the ceramic workshop of Art Marque in Nea Makri | Pic: Sandra Metaxas

Nowadays, there are many places available that teach ceramic art. We chose the Art Marque in Nea Makri, Greece, to have a taste of this unique art experience. We took part in a one-day workshop, more like an open studio rather than a class and we loved it.

In the Art Marque there is also a shop with unique handmade creations!

The WLM volunteers at the ceramic workshop Art Marque (from the left): Sonia Gerodimou, Sandra Metaxas and Mara Manolakaki

Firstly, you will have to think and design (in your head) the ceramic you want to create. Following you will have to work the clay with your bare fingers using water to make it softer and create the shape – the wet clay takes it shape by your hands and then as it dries it becomes solid. Look around you and you will find lots of tools to add color or stamps – improvise and make your creation unique! Later

your piece will be specially cooked in an oven to improve its durability and the final touch would be painting it with a protective coat.

Pottery is exciting and it can easily adjust to your needs and capabilities. There is no hurry, take your time, find your rhythm and if you have any questions just ask the pottery instructor for guidance. If you want to try yourself with the wheel, that is something quite demanding, another experience to have and another article to write about!

You will need to book an appointment to have a workshop arranged.