Exploring Creativity Through Textiles
With Rachna Garodia
A 10-day residential course
7-17 June 2026
Athens, Greece
*Book your spot by 6 March 2026!
What is it?
A 10-day residential course, hosted by Argo Arts and taught by Rachna Garodia, where students will explore creative approaches to art-making and expression through a variety of textile techniques.
Rachna will introduce you to basic textile skills, including embroidery, hand weaving on a frame loom, and weaving on paper, while also revealing expansive approaches to textile craft..
With an emphasis on encouraging excitement and curiosity, you will gather inspiration (and even materials) from the buzzing atmosphere of Athens, the natural environment of the Mediterranean, and the ancient cultural heritage of this amazing city named after the ancient Greek goddess of weaving.
What will it be like?
You will be part of a small group of students (maximum five), staying at the Argo Mansions and working at Argo Studios.
Each morning, you’ll be in class - either in the studios or out in the beautiful early-summer sunshine - where your teacher Rachna will teach you fundamental textile skills. These include basic weaving techniques, embroidery, and incorporating natural elements and found objects into your textile creations.
Using moodboards, material samples, and experimental approaches, you will learn how to translate the sights and textures of the Athens Mediterranean landscape, as well as ancient and modern cultural sites, into direct inspiration for your creative explorations.
In the afternoons, you can work on your own creations in your dedicated space in the studios, go to a museum for research, go sightseeing or simply sip a coffee in the cafe - the choice is yours.
In the evenings, students generally meet up for shared meals at one of the many close-by restaurants. This is a chance to share inspiration, artistic ideas, and (most importantly) make a connection with your fellow students.
Who is it for?
Anyone with an interest in textiles and playful creative exploration!
You don’t need to be an established artist, or to have worked with textiles before, to join the course. Whether you are a total beginner or an experience artist looking to reconnect with your practice, the course will be tailored for your needs.
There is no age limit, and we aim to have a mixed group of students in terms of ages, abilities, and interests.
During the course …
You will learn (or refresh) basic skills in working with textiles.
Connect with your passion for creativity, delight in your playful sense of curiosity, and nurture your creative spark, expanding your artistic/ craft practice with new colors, techniques, skills, and textures!
Explore how your creative inspiration can be translated into unique, handmade textile pieces.
Go out into nature to gather materials that can be used as starting points for new artworks, or even incorporated into your textile pieces directly.
Visit sites and museums to experience the rich cultural heritage of Greece - both ancient and modern.
Engage with your fellow students and teacher in shared meals, trips, and classroom opportunities for creative exchange.
Have plenty of time on your own (if you like) to work on your own art, see the sights, and connect with Greece.
Rachna Garodia
We first came across Rachna through her book, Contemporary Weaving in Mixed Media, which is a beautiful illustration of creative approaches to textile work, and has been a great source of inspiration for us.
Rachna is based in London, and is an experienced artist and teacher.
In her work, Rachna weaves and embroiders intimate surfaces that invite the viewer to experience the sacred connection we share with the natural world.
She trained at the prestigious National Institute of Design in India and The Royal School of Needlework in London. Her work predominantly involves hand embroidery and weaving. Her visual language continues to evolve, combining echoes of her life in India with the experience of living in London for the past 13 years.
Material exploration and collaging unexpected textures together in a warp have always been the starting point for Rachna's work. She juxtaposes cotton, linen, silk and wool with found materials like paper, bark, seedpods, twigs etc. All her works are unique and bespoke; each one takes shape slowly in her studio and is later crafted into screens, space dividers and framed textile art.
Rachna works from her studio in West London and takes regular commissions. Her pieces are held in private collections in India, London and America.
Accommodation: The Argo Mansions
During the course, you’ll stay in the Argo Mansions, a pair of apartments in a gorgeous neoclassical building from 1928.
All rooms are private, but if you’d like to apply with a friend or partner we can arrange a shared room for a reduced price. You’ll share a well-appointed kitchen and bathrooms.
The building stands on the corner of Plateia Agiou Georgiou in Kypseli, a bustling and lovely square full of bars, cafes, and restaurants bordering an impressive cathedral.
You can read more about our accommodation here.
The Studios
During the course, you’ll have a dedicated workspace in our large, light studio complex.
The studios are in Exarchia: our beautiful, grubby, intense, relaxed neighborhood. It’s famous for being a center of political activism and for its vibrant atmosphere of creativity and resistance. It is also dotted with cool bars and cozy cafes, where both locals and visitors chat with friends, sit all day with a coffee and notebook, or party all night.
You can read more about our studios here.
Athens
Athens is a wonderful paradox.
Of course, it is an ancient city steeped in history, known for its classical architecture and archaeological treasures. Amidst the remnants of its past, though, the city boasts a vibrant arts scene, hundreds of contemporary galleries, and cultural festivals. Local artists draw inspiration from their surroundings, blending traditional themes with modern expressions. This unique juxtaposition creates a dynamic atmosphere where history and creativity coexist harmoniously.
Course fees
Cost, per student, for the core course: €1,975
This includes:
Accommodation for 11 days.
Studio access for 10 days.
Basic materials, such as paper and drawing implements.
Three hours per weekday of instruction from Rachna, plus one-to-one support outside these classroom hours.
Advice and recommendations on how to make the most of your stay.
It doesn’t include:
Travel, food, or extra materials.
If you’d like to attend the course with a friend or partner, shared rooms are available at a lower rate. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Reserve your place
〰️
Reserve your place 〰️
Use the box below to book a place on this course.
If you have any questions, you can contact us here
Alternatively, you can email us:
matt@argo-arts.com
sara@argo-arts.com