About Us
A studio dedicated to ceramic art in Barcelona.
In addition to the workspace for clay artists and ceramics classes, the 137º Ceramic Art Studio also organizes events and exhibitions. We want to bring the world of ceramics, its processes and integrity to the general public.
How was the 137º Ceramic Art Studio born?
In June 2015, Dalia Sofronie and Manuel Estévez combined their knowledge of the ceramic arts to open 137º Ceramic Art Studio. They chose the Poblenou district—one of their favorite areas for its multiculturalism and progressive creative environment.
They focus their attention on experienced ceramic artists as well as creative people who want to learn more about working with clay. With this purpose in mind, they equipped the studio with workspaces for ceramicists and with a large room for classes and events.
The studio welcomes resident artists from all over the world. While sharing a workspace, they’re also able to share their unique style, enriching perspectives and techniques learned throughout their careers.
The resident artists all come from different countries, but they have something important in common: enthusiasm for the versatility of clay, the curiosity of explorers, the sensitivity of creators and the perseverance of scientists.
In December 2018, the studio changed locations in order to better accommodate the number of students and artists working together. The studio remains in the same district, in a space that’s three times larger. The 300m2 premises is equipped with a classroom, coworking space for artists, kitchen, chill-out area and an exhibition space.
Click here to learn more about our studio facilities.
Why the name 137º?
Beauty is in the order and harmony of our universe. It’s the irrational law that rules over us, from our DNA to our thoughts.
When we are born, this sense of beauty is born with us too.
Struggling to find the logic of beauty, ancient thinkers tried to explain it mathematically, and that’s how they discovered the existence of a ratio, which they called Golden.
137º is the golden angle, discovered by Fibonacci, and we can recognize it in many of nature’s geometries, such as: the provision of sunflower seeds, or in the leaves of each stem, the flowers’ petals, the branches of a tree, etc.
That is why we chose this name, because it helps us to keep present one of our deepest convictions: creating and generating beauty is more than a gift, it is our inner nature.
DALIA SOFRONIE/ Ceramist
I was born in Targu-Mures, Romania, in 1979. In 2008 I settled in Barcelona.
With a degree in Decorative Arts (Targu – Mures) and in Advertising Design (Cluj – Napoca), I worked for 11 years as an Art Director in several internationally renowned advertising agencies.
My work in advertising served as a push for creative thinking. It helped me understand the complex mechanisms of communication and direct the focus of my ideas towards a concept.
+ info
Today, I apply this knowledge and learning in my artistic work. Since 2009 I’ve worked exclusively with ceramics. My projects are mostly artistic although, occasionally, I also make functional pieces. I create most of my work with hand building techniques and sometimes with plaster molds that I create from my prototypes.
My favorite materials are porcelain and stoneware. My inspiration comes from nature in all its dimensions: human, vegetable and animal – from its complex complementarity and at the same time contrast.
The professional aspect of my life is occupied entirely by 137º Ceramic Art Studio. To have created this space and to manage it is to see a dream come true. Together with Manuel, we have put a lot of love into it, we make it grow and above all, we grow by its side.
MANUEL ESTÉVEZ / Ceramist
I was born in Galicia, Spain in 1973 in a family with plenty of artistic abilities.
As a child I discovered charcoal drawings by my mother. It was the first magical contact that planted the seed of interest in the world of plastic creation. These childhood memories are mixed with the smell of wood in my uncle’s carpentry shop, where I learned the importance of detail and finishing.
Whether it was part of my teenage rebellion or a desire to discover new places and materials, I finally decided to develop my artistic career in ceramics.
+ info
I have been involved in the world of ceramics since 1996. I learned and developed my knowledge in Ireland, where I lived for more than a decade. I collaborated with different artists: Brian Macgee, Rob d’Eath, Sinéad Fagan, etc. I also trained my skills with the nuns at Kylemore Abbey, Stephen Pearce Pottery and other small workshops.
My ceramic work is intended for everyday use. It is inspired in part by the work of artists such as Bernard Leach or Richard Phethean, as well as traditional Spanish-Arabic pottery. I love working with terracotta for its warmth and adding engobes of different colors that give my creations a lot of joy.
Since 2015, together with Dalia, we have built the 137º Ceramic Art Studio project. And for me it’s a dream come true. Having the possibility, not only to create, but to transmit the aesthetic beauty together with the “know-how” of ceramics has always been one of my greatest desires. Here and now it is a reality that is helping many people develop their artistic and human potential.
DALIA SOFRONIE/ Ceramisist
I was born in Targu-Mures, Romania, in 1979. In 2008 I settled in Barcelona.
With a degree in Decorative Arts (Targu – Mures) and in Advertising Design (Cluj – Napoca), I worked for 11 years as an art director in several internationally renowned advertising agencies.
The work in advertising has served me as a push for creative thinking, it has helped me to understand the complex mechanisms of communication and direct the focus of my ideas towards a concept.
+ info
I now apply this knowledge and skills in my artistic work. Since 2009 I dedicate myself exclusively to ceramics. My projects are mostly artistic although, punctually, I also make utilitary pieces. I create my work mostly with hand building techniques and sometimes with plaster molds that I prepare from my prototypes. My favorite materials are porcelain and stoneware. My inspiration comes from nature in all its dimensions: human, vegetable and animal – from its complex complementarity and at the same time contrast.
The professional aspect of my life is occupied entirely by 137º Ceramic Art Studio project. To have created this space and to manage it is to see a dream come true. So, together with Manuel, we put a lot of love into it, we make it grow and above all we grow by its side.
MANUEL ESTÉVEZ / Ceramisist
I was born in Galicia in 1973 within a family with plenty of artistic abilities.
As a child, discovering charcoal drawings made by my mother, it was a first magical contact that put the seed of interest in the world of plastic creation. In these childhood memories is mixed also the wood smell of my uncle’s carpentry shop, where I learned the importance of detail and a good finishing.
But finally, in part because of teenage rebellion and in part to the desire of descovering new places and materials, I decided to develop my artistic career in ceramics.
+ info
I have been in contact with the ceramic universe since 1996. I learned and developed my knowledge in Ireland. There I lived more than a decade, and I collaborated with different artists: Brian Macgee, Rob d’Eath, Sinéad Fagan, etc. I trained my skills with the nuns at Kylemore Abbey, Stephen Pearce pottery and other small workshops.
My ceramic work is intended for everyday use. It is inspired in part by the work of artists such as Bernard Leach or Richard Phethean, as well as traditional Spanish-Arabic pottery. I love working with terracotta for its warmth and adding engobes of different colors that give my creations a lot of joy.
Since 2015, together with Dalia, we have built the 137º Ceramic Art Studio project. And for me is a dream come true. Having the possibility, not only to create, but to transmit the aesthetic beauty together with the “know-how” of ceramics has always been one of my greatest desires. Here and now it is a reality that is helping many people develop their artistic and human potential.