Natural dye retreat

with George Petsikopoulos

MAY 8-12, 2027

6 selected participants will be invited to attend a 5-day fully funded natural dye retreat in Chios, Greece, from May 8–12, 2027, led by visual artist George Petsikopoulos.

Rooted in traditional textile crafts and natural dye practices, the retreat offers an immersive experience centred around colour, material, process, and nature.

Set within the quiet landscape of Chios, the program combines hands-on workshops with communal meals, time by the sea, and space for rest, reflection, and creative exploration.

Throughout the retreat, participants will experiment with plant-based dyes, fabric preparation, pigment extraction, colour layering, and textile processes using natural materials sourced from the island and surrounding environment.

Open to artists, designers, makers, and complete beginners alike, the retreat values curiosity, experimentation, and connection over technical experience or finished outcomes.

Apply now

MATERIAL EXPLORATION

Participants will work closely with textiles, plants, pigments, and organic dye sources while developing their own visual language through colour and process.

HANDS-ON PROCESS

This is a tactile and immersive experience centred around making, experimenting, and learning through direct engagement with natural materials

LIMITED SPOTS

To keep the experience intimate and hands-on, spaces are intentionally limited to a small group of participants.

FULLY FUNDED EXPERIENCE

Six selected participants will attend the retreat free of charge, with accommodation, meals, workshops, materials, and activities fully covered. Participants are only responsible for their travel to Chios.

Meet the Instructor

George Petsikopoulos (b. 1987, Athens, Greece) is a visual artist and educator based in Athens, working primarily with textiles, natural dyeing techniques, and material-led research. His practice explores the intersection of traditional knowledge systems, craft histories, and contemporary artistic inquiry, with a particular focus on the cultural, ecological, and symbolic dimensions of color, fiber, and craftmanship. Drawing from extensive research into botanical and mineral dyeing traditions across the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia, Petsikopoulos approaches materials as carriers of memory, ritual, and place-based knowledge.

Petsikopoulos has exhibited widely in Greece and internationally, including exhibitions in the UK, Germany, Monaco, and Mexico. Recent highlights include his solo exhibition Hidden in Plain Sight (Square Root Space, Athens, 2024), as well as Interwoven / Entretejidos (Proyecto H hosting KIRKI, Mexico City, 2024). His work has been presented in institutional contexts such as the Hellenic Maritime Museum, the Folklore Museum of Larissa, the Foundation of the Hellenic World, and Museum Teriade in Lesvos.

Alongside his artistic practice, Petsikopoulos has a long-standing commitment to education and community-based work. Since 2014, he has led numerous workshops on natural dyeing, weaving, printmaking, and ceramics in collaboration with museums, art spaces, theaters, and community organizations in Greece and the UK, including the Benaki Museum and Sadler’s Wells Theatre. He has also worked extensively with the artist Aboubakar Fofana, contributing to projects shown at Documenta 14 in Athens.

His education spans fine art, craft, and material research, including studies in African art, ceremonial textiles, botanical therapies, welding, sculpture, and calligraphy. Residencies and apprenticeships have taken him to Mali, Thailand, and across Europe, where he has worked closely with artisan communities and master practitioners.

Through both his artworks and pedagogical activities, Petsikopoulos seeks to reactivate ancestral techniques within contemporary contexts, proposing making as a form of listening—to landscapes, materials, and the layered histories they embody.

FAQS & TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • To apply for the retreat, participants are asked to submit a short application along with a €15 application fee. The fee helps support the review process and allows us to carefully curate a thoughtful and engaged group of participants. The retreat designed to be accessible while maintaining an intentional selection process.

    Deadline for application September 1st, 2026

    50 shortlisted artists will be asked to provide more information by September 15th, 2026.

  • Six selected participants will receive a fully funded place in the retreat.

    Accommodation, meals, workshops, materials, and all retreat activities will be fully covered by Descoverartists.

    Any additional expenses (travel, private car rental, travel insurance, etc.) are to be covered by the participant.

  • Yes! You can send us an email with your full name and email address and any changes you would like to make to your application at hello@descoverartists.com

  • Residencies take place at Eona House, a restored historic home in Nenita, Chios, a peaceful village in the South of the island known for its traditional architecture, quiet atmosphere, and proximity to the sea. The space is designed to offer artists time for focused creative work, rest, and meaningful connection with others.

  • Artists will share a room with one other artist. After acceptance, we will send an email with all the practical information needed to help you plan your trip and experience.

  • Expectations: Cleaning and maintaining the house during our retreats is undertaken collectively. The artists are expected to respect the island, its inhabitants, the environment, animals, and local culture and to respect the other residents.

    Living expenses: While there are a few expenses the residents need to consider while at the retreat, it is worth having funds for trips to local cafes and the like. Calculate approximately 5-15 euros a day for such incidentals.

    Minimum number of applicants: This retreats run only if a minimum number of participants is reached. If not, Descoverartists will inform all confirmed participants and issue a full refund for the application fee.

    Damages to the house or other areas on the island: We are not responsible for any loss or damage caused by the artists during their stay at our retreats. The artists must adhere to the house rules established by the owners or pay any fees charged after checkout.