Discover your talent in sculpture, in a country where golden section was born.

The most unusual part of this Athens activity is the mix of hands-on sculpture and video-game craftsmanship. At Ancient Symposium, sculptor Manos introduces you to ancient tools and techniques, then helps you shape the face of Hermes from Cretan clay. I like the personal instruction and the chance to see weapons and armor connected with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You also leave with a real object, not just another photograph.

I also like the small private setting, which lets you work at your own speed, and the cultural details about ancient Greek wine and sculpture. The main thing to consider is location: Doiranis 39 is in Kallithea, not beside the Acropolis, and some people find it a walk from their hotel. A taxi can make arrival easier.

Key points to know before you book

• Shape a Hermes mask from Cretan clay: You receive guidance as you build facial features and finish the details.
• Meet sculptor Manos: He teaches the basic use of sculpting tools and adjusts his help to your pace.
• See Assassin’s Creed Odyssey props: The studio includes weapons, helmets, and armor made for the game and related trailer work.
• Explore a small cultural collection: The visit includes an ancient-style room, sculpture displays, and a mini-museum.
• Take home your artwork: Your air-dry clay piece becomes a personal Athens souvenir.
• Plan about two hours in Kallithea: The activity is private, runs daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and costs $58.05 per person.

Why this Athens workshop is different

Athens gives you no shortage of ancient statues to admire. This workshop lets you sit down and try shaping one yourself. That change in viewpoint matters. After working with clay, you may look at a museum sculpture with more sympathy for the skill, patience, and small decisions behind it.

The activity is led by Manos, a working sculptor whose family has three generations of sculpture behind it. He also helped create weapons, helmets, and armor associated with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. For fans of Ubisoft’s game, this adds a modern connection to the ancient Greek subject.

I like that the workshop does not treat sculpture as a talent test. The aim is not to produce a museum-quality Hermes in two hours. You learn a process, make choices, accept a few uneven edges, and finish with an object that carries a personal memory.

Arriving at Ancient Symposium in Kallithea

The meeting point is Doiranis 39, Athina 176 72, Greece. The address is near public transportation, but the experience does not include transport from your hotel. Some people walk from nearby accommodation in Kallithea, while a taxi is the simpler choice if you are unfamiliar with the area or carrying other luggage.

The entrance may not feel like a major tourist attraction from the street. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should allow a little time to find the exact door. If you book a late session, look for the host and contact the operator if you need help with directions.

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That makes a difference. You do not need to keep up with a large class, and Manos can spend time with each person. It also suits couples and families who want a shared project rather than a formal lecture.

The ancient room, wine, and mini-museum

The workshop begins with a look around the space. You see an ancient-style room and hear about art and wine in ancient Greece. The wine connection is personal as well as cultural, since Manos is also a winemaker. Wine is part of the setting and conversation, but the key activity is sculpture.

The studio includes a small museum or gallery area with pieces from the family collection. You might see yourself spending more time here than expected, especially if you enjoy objects, tools, and craft traditions. This opening section gives context before you sit down with the clay.

The displays are not a substitute for the Acropolis Museum or the National Archaeological Museum. They serve a different purpose. You are seeing art in a working studio, alongside the tools and objects that help explain how an artist thinks about materials.

Assassin’s Creed props and modern Greek craftsmanship

The video-game connection is a strong bonus, especially if you know Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Ancient Greece in that game depends on visual details such as swords, helmets, and protective armor. At the studio, you can see selected props connected with that work and hear Manos explain his role.

This section helps bridge two worlds. You begin with ancient Greek forms, then see how artists recreate or adapt those forms for a modern production. It is not the same as visiting a film set, and the exact objects on display can vary, but the collection adds something you will not get from a standard pottery class.

If you do not play video games, you still have reason to pay attention. The props show how a sculptor and craftsperson approaches shape, surface, and historical appearance. If you are a dedicated fan, this may be one of the most memorable parts of the visit.

Learning to handle sculpting tools

Before working on your own piece, you touch and examine a selection of sculpting tools. Manos explains what they do and how they help form the clay. This practical introduction is useful because it turns the tools from mysterious metal objects into extensions of your fingers.

The workshop also introduces techniques linked with sculpture, from lost-wax casting to carving precious stone. You should think of these as an introduction rather than a full technical course. Two hours is enough to understand the basic ideas, not enough to master casting or stonework.

The most valuable lesson is learning to work slowly. A tool can remove material, sharpen an edge, or create a small surface mark. Clay is forgiving, but careless pressure can still change the face quickly. Manos provides the kind of correction that helps you keep going without taking control of the piece.

Creating the face of Hermes from Cretan clay

The main project is a face of the god Hermes made from air-dry clay. Hermes is a good subject for a short class because a face gives you clear features to build: brow, nose, cheeks, mouth, and hair. You are not starting with a blank idea and wondering what to make.

You receive instructions for the main stages, then work through the form at your own speed. Manos helps with the finer details and steps in when you need direction. His teaching style is patient and encouraging, which is important for anyone who believes they have no artistic ability.

Expect your sculpture to look handmade. That is not a flaw. The appeal is in seeing your own decisions in the finished face. Small differences in symmetry or expression make each piece personal. If your first result seems less impressive than the model in your head, keep working. The finishing stage can change the whole appearance.

The clay is air-dry, so you do not need to operate a kiln during the class. Your finished piece is prepared for you to take home. Packaging details may depend on the object and the session, but the purpose is clear: you leave with a physical souvenir made by your own hands.

How much guidance should you expect?

Manos is the main reason this activity works for beginners. He explains each step clearly and gives support without rushing you. You can ask for help with the difficult parts, while still making the important choices yourself.

The private format is especially useful if your group has different skill levels. One person can work quickly while another takes longer with the eyes or mouth. A child, first-time sculptor, or serious art student can all get something from the same class, though the final result will naturally depend on patience and attention.

This is not a silent studio where you are handed clay and left alone. Conversation is part of the experience. You can ask about ancient techniques, the studio’s objects, and the work connected with the game. That makes the class feel more like a cultural visit with a project attached.

What the two hours feel like

The time is divided between the studio introduction and the sculpture itself. You first look around, hear about ancient Greek art and wine, and see the collection. You then examine tools and watch material about ancient sculpting methods before beginning the clay work.

The exact balance can change according to your group. If you are absorbed in the sculpture, the making portion may feel short. Give yourself enough time to add details rather than rushing to finish a shape.

The late opening hours are helpful in a city where daytime sightseeing can fill quickly. Sessions are listed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday. A late class can work well after museums or an evening meal, but confirm the time when booking because availability is required.

Is $58.05 per person good value?

At $58.05 per person, this costs more than a simple drop-in craft activity. The price covers a private session, instruction from a professional sculptor, access to the studio collection, the cultural introduction, and your clay artwork.

I consider it fair value if you want more than a basic souvenir. You are paying for time with an instructor and for a small cultural experience that combines ancient Greek themes with modern prop-making. The finished object is not mass-produced, and the memory attached to it is part of what you are buying.

The value is weaker if you only want to see ancient sculpture. Athens has major museums for that, and a two-hour class will not replace them. It is also not the right choice if you want advanced training in casting, stone carving, or professional sculptural technique. Those topics are introduced, not taught in depth.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for couples, families, solo art lovers, and people who want a slower activity between major sights. It is also a strong pick for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey fans, since the prop collection gives the class a connection to the game beyond a simple theme.

You do not need previous experience. The instructions are designed for beginners, and Manos adjusts his help to your pace. Most people can participate, but the activity requires you to sit and work with your hands for a sustained period.

Children may enjoy the clay, though the available information does not specify a minimum age. If you are booking for young children, ask the provider first. Anyone with mobility or other access concerns should also contact the operator before booking, since the details provided do not describe full accessibility.

Practical booking advice for Kallithea

The activity is confirmed at booking, and you receive a mobile ticket. It is wise to save the address and allow time for the journey, especially if you are coming from central Athens. A taxi is a practical option if maps or local streets are proving awkward.

If you are late, contact Ancient Symposium rather than simply assuming the session can be extended. One late evening booking was accommodated, but that does not guarantee the same arrangement for every date.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least a full day ahead for a complete refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local Athens time.

Should you book this sculpture class?

Book it if you want to make something, not just look at something. The combination of Manos’s patient teaching, the Hermes clay project, the small museum, and the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey props gives the experience more substance than a standard craft lesson.

Skip it if your Athens schedule is already packed with major archaeological sites or if you want advanced instruction in stone or metal. For everyone else, especially beginners and game fans, this is a friendly way to spend two hours and take home a souvenir that you actually made.

FAQ

How long does the sculpture workshop last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the workshop take place?

It starts and ends at Doiranis 39, Athina 176 72, Greece, in the Kallithea area of Athens.

What will I make during the class?

You will make the face of the god Hermes using air-dry Cretan clay.

Can I take my sculpture home?

Yes. You take your finished artwork home as a souvenir.

Who teaches the workshop?

The workshop is taught by Manos, a professional sculptor associated with Ancient Symposium.

Do I need previous sculpture experience?

No. The activity is suitable for beginners, and the instructor provides guidance with the tools and the clay.

Will I see objects connected with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Yes. The studio includes weapons, helmets, and armor connected with work made for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and related production work.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What are the operating hours?

The activity is listed as available Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., from July 14, 2019, through May 21, 2026.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.