Led by artist Rasma Pušpure, this small-group workshop combines hands-on marble instruction with the time, space, and community of an artist residency. It is open to artists and creative practitioners at a range of experience levels and is particularly accessible to those interested in working with marble for the first time. No previous stone-carving experience is required.
Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of working with marble, from understanding and selecting the material to cutting, carving, shaping, grinding, and finishing. The first two weeks include approximately 40 hours of structured instruction, with mornings dedicated to working with Rasma and afternoons available for independent studio work. The third week shifts into a more independent working period, with Rasma available on a limited basis for consultation and guidance as participants develop and complete their work.
The workshop begins with the material itself and the landscape it comes from. Participants will visit local working marble quarries, learn about the region’s long relationship with marble, and select their own stone from locally available marble off-cuts. These visits offer the chance to experience the landscape and material at its source before bringing selected pieces back to OBRAS to begin working.
The scale of the workshop is intentionally human. Participants will work with pieces of marble they can personally handle, work on at OBRAS, and ultimately take home with them. Marble and use of the necessary carving tools are included in the workshop fee.
This is more than a daytime workshop. Participants live at OBRAS for the full three weeks, staying in Casa Principal and becoming part of the residency community.
Alongside the workshop, there is time for independent studio work, shared dinners, conversations with other artists in residence, and the everyday experience of living and working at OBRAS in rural Alentejo.
At the end of the three weeks, participants will be invited to informally share their finished work and talk about their process and experience
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Open to artists and creative practitioners at a range of experience levels and is particularly accessible to those interested in working with marble for the first time. No previous stone-carving experience is required.
https://www.obrasresidencies.com/marble-carving-workshop
€1,795 per person
INCLUDED: three weeks of accommodation at OBRAS, studio/workspace access, approximately 40 hours of structured instruction, marble, use of workshop tools, quarry visits and marble selection.
NOT INCLUDED: Travel to and from OBRAS, most meals and groceries, personal expenses, travel and medical insurance, and shipping or special transportation of completed work are not included.
Participants are required to maintain their own travel and medical insurance for the duration of the workshop and residency.
Deposit: 50% (€897.50) to secure your place. OBRAS’s 90-day cancellation policy applies.