Learn paper Mache clay sculpture with Iria in Spain.
  • A Coruña, Spain
  • 20 hours over 5 days

Paper Mache Clay Sculpture with Iria

Let your dreams inspire you in the wilds of Spain. Iria will introduce you to the full process of paper mache clay sculpture, then you’ll create your own finished work using a variety of techniques and materials. Venture into the nearby town and hike the wilderness with Iria for a true getaway.
  • Snacks, Coffee, & Tea

Pricing

One Guest
USD $1035
Additional guest(s) (max 6)
USD $390

Accommodation

One Guest
USD $315
Additional guest(s)
USD $190
Experiment with different techniques.

Meet the Artist

Iria is a sculptor, illustrator and printmaker. She works on surreal projects inspired by lysergic pop that range from terrible to irresistible, from hallucination to tale. She creates figurative sculptures by assembling various materials, textures and elements like human bodies, anatomy of wild animals, nature and literature icons. Her creative world is inspired by the magic of “Wunderkammer” and writings by Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain and Jules Verne. The charm carries through in her rural studio-house which is a restored century-old house close to forests in north west coast of Galicia.

VAWAA Includes:

  • Introduction to paper mache clay sculptures
  • Building models and structures using different materials
  • Smoothing, painting and finishing 
  • Materials and tools

Stay at Iria's

Iria’s house is full of charming details, with original wood and stone materials still intact. Your room is spacious with a double bed, cozy ambiance lighting, antiquarian furniture and a small private lounge just for you. You will share a bathroom with Iria. On the ground floor there is a living room with a fireplace and a very large, rustic kitchen that opens onto the patio. The patio is the perfect place for outdoor summer breakfasts and dinners under a lemon tree.

For a special “off the grid” experience, you may also choose to stay in Iria’s cozy wooden cabin in her backyard which is available during the summer season from June to September. There are 3 cats that roam the property. One of them is old and sometimes comes into the studio, never in the guest room or cabin.

Explore A Coruña

A Coruña is a small, beautiful city on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. It has an interesting cultural life, museums, galleries and numerous artists studios. This area of the coast is called Costa da Morte (Death Coast) and nearby you can find wild beaches, small seafaring villages with tasty seafood, and very good spots to surf. Visit contemporary art museums, explore the hiking trails through the rugged landscape, and spend a day on the beautiful surfing beaches.
Explore dense forests nearby and gain inspiration for your art.

Additional Details

The best weather in A Coruña is between May–October. On average, July–September are the warmest months, and January– February are the coldest and rainiest months.

This VAWAA can be extended for up to 10 days. Please ask when you submit your booking request.
Iria's Availability 5 days

Guest Reviews

8
  • Tarbia M., United States

    I had a lovely time during my stay at Iria’s! It was a great experience to learn a new art form in a beautiful location. Iria is a very thoughtful and warm host. I loved learning about her life in Galicia, meeting her friends, and experiencing home cooked food with veggies from her garden.

    The idea I wanted to bring to life with paper mache was an “angry bee”. When it came time to sculpt the f
    Read more

  • Deneque L., United States

    My experience at Iria’s was something I'll never forget. I loved the slow days spent around the charming old farmhouse and the fresh food Iria made from the garden. I especially loved Lucas the donkey (I was so sad to learn that he passed away shortly after I left) who would poke his head into the studio, and the two cats that run around the property.

    The studio was an absolute dream - spaciou
    Read more

  • Robyn H., United States

    Who knew that googling "sculpture + donkey + galicia" would bring me to Iria's magical home and studio?! I was delighted to discover VAWAA online, and to specifically spend time with Iria at Castelo Studio, the beloved donkey Lucas, and another lovely Ukrainian artist, Lera, that Iria also welcomed with open arms.

    Iria has created a beautiful, cozy, and inspiring environment to learn new ski
    Read more

  • Megan M., United States

    Staying and learning with Iria was one of the most memorable travel experiences I have ever had. She was such a generous and fun host. Her home was a destination in itself-every detail was thoughtful and beautiful. We would spend the mornings working in the studio listening to music and the rain. Iria was such a fabulous teacher. I was a complete beginner in paper mache clay, but she made it feel Read more

  • Marianne N., United States

    I don't even know where to begin. Our stay at Iria's house was magical. She is an amazing person and artist and her openness and eagerness to share her home/art/life with us for a week made for an unforgettable experience. She was able to accommodate both myself and my husband in her studio and we both left with wonderful pieces and a clear understanding of the paper mache process, despite one of Read more

  • Adriana B., United States

    Iria is a very knowledgeable teacher who can teach you in a very practical, flexible and at same time precise way. You will see the life of a talented artist and you will feel motivated to continue with your own projects. Iria also opened the doors to her wonderful house, her friends and her daily life. Thanks to Her I not only learned an art but the true identity of Spain in an absolutely unforge Read more

  • Fabiana S., Japan

    When I came across Iria's work, I was immediately drawn to it. I asked if we could incorporate illustration into the studio sessions and she was happy to extend our time together to be able work on it as well.

    During the time we spent in the studio and talking about art, I was able to learn about the different media she uses. I found printmaking especially interesting and became more and more c
    Read more

  • Amy T., United States

    I love traveling as an endeavor to learn the personal narratives, culture, craft, and way of life from the people I meet. My time in Galicia, Spain has been a transformative experience, learning sculpture-making from the super talented artist Iria at her serene home+studio tucked in the greenest part of La Caruna. I’m super thankful for Iria’s guidance, generosity, kindness, and the fun adventure Read more

  • See all 8 reviews