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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.