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Logo for Pansa on the Road, which features large white text on a black background, with a subtitle stating 'Ceramics Retreats Across Europe'.

A CREATIVE JOURNEY BEYOND AMSTERDAM

Pansa on the Road is a Studio Pansa initiative that brings the spirit of our Amsterdam studios to inspiring locations across Europe.

Each destination is transformed into a temporary studio, where people gather to create, connect, and recharge through clay.

View of a coastal town with apartment buildings and trees, seen through a natural frame of dark foliage, with mountains in the background.

Our first edition took place in September 2025, along the Cantabrian coast of northern Spain, where we set up a studio at Casa ‘Ohana, a peaceful rural guesthouse near San Vicente de la Barquera. Run by our friend and former Dutch longboard champion Nienke Duynmeijer, Casa ‘Ohana offered the perfect mix of tranquility and inspiration.

WHAT IT’S LIKE, ON THE ROAD

By Studio Pansa teacher Lenise Sotero de Almeida, September 2025

Arriving at Casa ‘Ohana was exciting — I kept thinking “this is really happening!”
As soon as we could, we started unpacking the wheels, boards, and tools. There were so many questions: Where does this go? How do we do that? Where will we recycle? So many things to figure out, but everything was filled with enthusiasm and excitement.

Close-up of a white van with a sign that reads 'Pansa on the Road' and 'Ceramics Retreat in Northern Spain.' The van has roof racks with a black bag and a metal container. Green tree branches and leaves frame the top of the image.

The next day, everything found its place. Our on the road studio was set up, and it was a magical scene — with surf boards on the walls, the landscape around us, and clay and tools ready to be used. Then, the real magic began… The students arrived and lively talks emerged, surrounded by the amazing view of Casa ‘Ohana and its surroundings.

We looked forward to the following days, to watch everything take shape — we were building pieces, building friendships and building bonds.

Group of women outdoors at pottery studio, some wearing aprons, with pottery artwork and supplies on table

The days started gently, with a rich breakfast together, sharing what to expect, sharing dreams, and slowly finding the rhythm to start the classes. Joy, sharing and learning filled the atmosphere. We ended each class tired — but the good kind of tired, the one that makes you feel fulfilled.

We’d gather again at dinner time, enjoying amazing food, wine, laughter, and stories.

Three women are pottery wheel throwing with clay, with surfboards mounted on the wall behind them.

On Wednesday, we went to the city for dinner and to explore the surroundings. Mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches… it was wonderful waking up every morning, looking out the window, and seeing that stunning landscape, with many beautiful grazing cows.

Group of women sitting and standing on rocky terrain near a tree under a leafy canopy during a hike.

At the end of the week, we admired all our clay creations. They weren’t just pieces,
behind each one there were people, stories, friendships, and lessons. Each piece carried its own beauty.

Then it was time to say goodbye. It felt good to see the progress made through the week, but it was also sad to leave. Packing pieces, wheels, tools, cleaning… a lot of cleaning. Did I say a lot? Yes. A LOT of cleaning. Packing the car, each tool seemed to carry a bit of the week’s memories.

Our week of Pansa on the Road week can be summed up as: development, bonding, laughter, cleaning, friendship, nature, community, and love.

We are all bound by love, made from the same material: clay.

Group of people standing and sitting outside a building, smiling and celebrating.

Want to join us On The Road next time we head out?
Send us an email and we’ll keep you posted!

KEEP ME INFORMED

PANSA ON THE ROAD, CANTABRIA
CAPTURED ON 35MM FILM BY MINDY WIEKHART

Outdoor patio with a round table and metal chairs, overlooking a landscape with palm trees, flowers, and green rolling hills in the background, under string lights.
Room with surfboards mounted on racks on the wall and pottery wheels in the foreground.
Person standing next to a white Land Rover with a rooftop tent, parked on a grassy area under trees.
People working on pottery projects at a workshop table.
Two women with backpacks, one adjusting her hair, stand on a mountain trail surrounded by rocky mountains and cloudy sky.
Woman with curly hair and glasses creating pottery in a studio, surrounded by shelves of finished pottery pieces.
A person with tattooed arms shaping a clay mug on a pottery wheel in a studio.
Three women sitting on a bench against a stone wall, engaging in conversation. One woman has curly black hair and is gesturing with her hands, the other woman has curly brown hair and is wearing glasses and appears to be listening, while the third wo
Surfers walking along the beach with surfboards, ocean waves, rocky formations, green hills, and a cloudy sky.
Two women working on clay projects outdoors, one with tattoos on her arm, surrounded by greenery and pink flowers.
A group of five hikers walking along a dirt trail on a hillside with green shrubs and white rocks, with a steep rocky cliff face in the background.
Person holding two handmade clay pots, one small with handles and another large with leaf patterns, outdoors with greenery in the background.
An assortment of handmade pottery, including bowls, cups, vases, and decorative items, displayed on a wooden table.
Two women practicing yoga in a room with large windows, sitting on yoga mats with eyes closed, one with hand raised in a pose.
A group of women sitting around a wooden dining table in a cozy, rustic restaurant with large windows and bamboo lamps, enjoying a meal.
A person with long dark hair is sculpting a small clay figure with a tool at a worktable. There are bowls, papers, and tools scattered around.
Display of t-shirts on hangers and a cloth bag with a sign that reads 'STUDIO PANSA T-SHIRT, original price €27.50, discounted price €23, Spain' inside a shop with a brick and glass window background.
Open-air market stall display with wooden and ceramic kitchenware, a yellow kitchen scale, and a wooden sign reading 'Studio Pansa'.
View of a cozy outdoor restaurant or cafe with a woman and three people sitting at a table inside, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers.
Two women sitting on a patio with a scenic, green landscape in the background. One woman is holding a beer bottle, wearing sunglasses and a casual outfit; the other is holding a drink, wearing a t-shirt and shorts. There is a table with a book, a wat
A woman standing on a rocky mountain ledge with her hands behind her head, facing majestic mountain peaks under a cloudy sky, with sunlight creating a warm glow on the right side of the image.
Two women working at pottery wheels creating ceramic items in a studio with surfboards on the wall.
Two men having a conversation outdoors in a lush garden, one sitting on a brick ledge and the other standing, surrounded by green foliage and flowers.