Intuitive and Embodied Ceramics with Camila
Dive into a profound experience exploring the connection between body and clay through somatic practices inspired by Body-Mind Movement, Somatic Experiencing, and engaged ecology. Using wheel-throwing and hand-building, sculpt pieces that bridge your inner and outer worlds, deepening your awareness of movement, materiality, and craft. Set in in a forest studio in Veracruz, surrounded by coffee plantations and the sounds of the Fog Forest, immerse yourself in Mexico’s rich pottery traditions while discovering new ways to connect with clay and yourself.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1375
- Additional guest(s) (max 2)
- USD $580
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $400
- Additional guest(s)
- USD $250
Meet the Artist
Camila is a Mexican ceramic artist, somatic psychotherapist, and regenerative living enthusiast whose practice weaves together art, therapeutic research, and a deep relationship with the natural world. With a master's degree in psychotherapy specializing in Somatic Experiencing, she has spent years exploring corporeal disciplines like Hatha Yoga, Butoh Dance, and Body Mind Movement, all of which have deeply influenced her approach to clay and life.
She works primarily through hand-building techniques, slab, pinch, and coil, with a focus on sculpting and surface detailing that emerges from somatic experience rather than predetermined form. Her process is nonlinear, shaped by nature, deep listening, contemplation, sculpture, and movement. In recent years, her practice has been transformed by the ecological urgency of our time, leading her to immerse herself in permaculture and syntropic agriculture and to relocate her studio to the forest, where she is developing a small orchard, a food forest, and an organic coffee production alongside her artistic and therapeutic work.
Camila believes that working with hands, whether in her therapeutic practice, with clay, or with the land, fosters a deep place for awareness, presence, and self-inquiry. In her forest studio, you will slow down, get your hands in the clay, and discover what it means to make something from a place of genuine presence. Nature, she believes, is our best teacher.
She works primarily through hand-building techniques, slab, pinch, and coil, with a focus on sculpting and surface detailing that emerges from somatic experience rather than predetermined form. Her process is nonlinear, shaped by nature, deep listening, contemplation, sculpture, and movement. In recent years, her practice has been transformed by the ecological urgency of our time, leading her to immerse herself in permaculture and syntropic agriculture and to relocate her studio to the forest, where she is developing a small orchard, a food forest, and an organic coffee production alongside her artistic and therapeutic work.
Camila believes that working with hands, whether in her therapeutic practice, with clay, or with the land, fosters a deep place for awareness, presence, and self-inquiry. In her forest studio, you will slow down, get your hands in the clay, and discover what it means to make something from a place of genuine presence. Nature, she believes, is our best teacher.
VAWAA Includes:
- Slow down into the rhythm of the forest, letting the pace of the land shape how you work with clay.
- Begin with an introduction to somatic processes and techniques for inner exploration, movement, and creative awareness.
- Write and journal to reflect on experiences and brainstorm clay concepts.
- Receive guidance on concept development and translating your experiences into three-dimensional clay pieces.
- Learn hand-building techniques including slab, pinch, and coil, with guidance on sculpting and surface detailing.
- Explore nearby nature areas to create outdoors or collect wild clay to take home, if time permits.
- Harvest whatever is in season in the garden and, if you are interested, work on the orchard or other land projects.
- Option to visit Xalapa, just 20 minutes away, for its buzzing cultural life and ceramic scene.
- Option to visit other ceramists' studios in the area.
Stay at Camila's
Stay in a private, naturally built cabin on Camila's forest property in Veracruz, surrounded by trees and set in front of the orchard. The cabin has a twin bed, a full bathroom, a small kitchen with stove and fridge, a hammock, portable fan and heating units, and WiFi. Wake each morning to the sound of Oropendolas, a native bird of the region, and spend your days with direct access to the garden, a clear water river, the orchard, and the studio, all within the same space.
Camila's property is only accessible by car. If you do not have one, Camila can provide direct contact for a local cab, or you can take a 15-minute walk to the main road to catch one. While the studio is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately, the cabin and the rest of the property are not due to the natural landscape
Camila's property is only accessible by car. If you do not have one, Camila can provide direct contact for a local cab, or you can take a 15-minute walk to the main road to catch one. While the studio is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately, the cabin and the rest of the property are not due to the natural landscape
Explore Veracruz
Camila's studio is located in the forest between Coatepec and Xalapa, in the state of Veracruz in eastern Mexico, about 15 minutes from Coatepec.
Coatepec is one of Mexico's most celebrated coffee towns, set within a Fog Forest — one of the most biodiverse and endangered ecosystems on the planet. The town moves slowly and intentionally, with a thriving community of artists, musicians, ecologists, and creators who have made it a place that prioritizes life, community, and making things. International coffee lovers come here from around the world, and it is easy to see why.
Xalapa, just 20 minutes away, is home to one of the most important anthropology museums in Mexico, a buzzing music scene, and a rich artistic life. Between the forest, the town, and the city, there is always somewhere to go and something to discover, and always a reason to come back to the studio.
Coatepec is one of Mexico's most celebrated coffee towns, set within a Fog Forest — one of the most biodiverse and endangered ecosystems on the planet. The town moves slowly and intentionally, with a thriving community of artists, musicians, ecologists, and creators who have made it a place that prioritizes life, community, and making things. International coffee lovers come here from around the world, and it is easy to see why.
Xalapa, just 20 minutes away, is home to one of the most important anthropology museums in Mexico, a buzzing music scene, and a rich artistic life. Between the forest, the town, and the city, there is always somewhere to go and something to discover, and always a reason to come back to the studio.
Additional Details
The best time to visit is from January to April and October to December, when the weather around Coatepec and Xalapa is pleasant, temperatures are mild, and rainfall is at its lowest. May through September brings heavier rain and higher humidity, with September being the wettest month, so these months are best avoided.
This VAWAA cannot be extended in duration.
It will be an intense session and you must be ready to do a lot of physical work, should not have back injuries, and be able to handle at least 20kg of weight.
This session is not ideal for kids, however it can be adapted for elderly and people in wheelchairs. Please specify special needs in the booking request because some objects and materials in the studio can be dangerous.
Camila speaks Spanish and English.
This VAWAA cannot be extended in duration.
It will be an intense session and you must be ready to do a lot of physical work, should not have back injuries, and be able to handle at least 20kg of weight.
This session is not ideal for kids, however it can be adapted for elderly and people in wheelchairs. Please specify special needs in the booking request because some objects and materials in the studio can be dangerous.
Camila speaks Spanish and English.
Guest Reviews
Kyla M., Canada
I had the opportunity to learn from Camila at her studio in Guadalajara for 4 days. Learning from an artist who weaves somatic practices into their process has been a deeply impactful experience! It expanded my awareness of how body informs making. I could see and feel this shift even in my creative process. Many classes I have taken, you jump right into it. I really appreciated that Camila breaks Read more
Kourtney R., Canada
The ceramics experience with Camila was very inspiring. I got to experience a new clay body and techniques. It was particularly cool to use locally foraged clay to colour my pieces. Additionally, Camila took me around to a local studio, a museum showing traditional ceramics to modern ceramics in Guadalajara, and a full tour at Suro. I really enjoyed my experience and thank Camila for being a great Read more
Linda N., United States
Written by Sue: We learned so much in our ceramic workshop, Camila is brilliant, inspirational and calming at the same time. Her lovely studio is in a neighborhood with lots of cafes and restaurants, and her boyfriend's Kombucha (Boreal) is delicious! Best family vacation ever!
Written by Kenny: The experience was fantastic and Camila was a supportive, creative, and calming presence throughout Read moreJulie C., Canada
This workshop helped me to improve my abilities in slabbuilding and sculpture. The clay used by Camila is very special and I liked it a lot because it is so malleable! Thanks for those days under the Mexican sun!
Kevin Q., United States
Working with Camila was so lovely! Her chill and warm energy combined with the dreamy courtyard helped to create a pressure free environment for me to explore some ideas in ceramics. I have a lot of ceramics experience so while I was not looking for much technical guidance I was looking for creative guidance. Camila was a good sounding board for me to discuss what I was thinking and her experience Read more
