Hands in Clay
Hands in Clay: A Pottery Experience with Women Artisans in Atzompa
There are few things more grounding and inspiring than creating art with your own hands—especially when that art begins with the earth itself. We’re thrilled to introduce our new Hands in Clay experience in Atzompa, Oaxaca, where you’ll join generations of women artisans in their home studio for an unforgettable pottery workshop.
In this immersive, hands-on clay experience, you’ll learn about the ancestral pottery traditions that have shaped Oaxacan culture for centuries. Our expert hosts will guide you step-by-step through the process of transforming raw clay into unique ceramic pieces, using techniques passed down through generations.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or an experienced potter, this workshop welcomes everyone. Feel the earth between your fingers, craft as many pieces as you’d like, and explore new methods while connecting with the deep roots of this ancient art form.
Spend the day in the warm company of our all-women artisan household, where tradition, design, utility, and creativity intersect. You’ll also discover how sustainability has long been woven into this craft, offering a powerful lens into the relationship between people, earth, and art.
What to Expect
Step Two: Once we’ve found a date that works for our hosts and for your group, we will send you a Paypal request for a deposit for your experience or an invitation to sign up using our website calendar. (Feel free to check our calendar for the experiences we currently have confirmed!) *
*Your experience will be open to additional folks to join unless your group is composed of 6+ people or you reserve a private experience at an additional cost.
You can see our refund policy here.
Step Three: We will meet you at Tlayudona, located inside the Plaza San Cristóbal in street M. Bravo 210 local C, Centro.
Experience Includes
- Transportation. Leaving from/returning to Tlayudona
- Visit to our host’s home studio in Atzompa
- Talk given by our clay experts
- Personalized instruction on how to create art out of pottery, catered to your level of experience
- All materials necessary to create your pieces
- Traditional meal made by our host family
- Translation from Spanish to English if/when necessary
- Firing of your pieces, their delivery to Tlayudona within 8 days of your experience*
*We are not responsible for accidents or pieces breaking in the kiln. Nature is at play here and there is a factor of chance, as well as weather and other influences. Our hosts will guide you on how to create pieces that will be most likely to dry and cook without cracking. Your hosts are responsible for delivering your pieces to Tlayudona for pick-up. If your group does not have 8 days of travel to guarantee your pieces’ arrival, we can arrange to ship your pieces to you at your own expense. You are also welcome to take your pieces “as-is” (to be kept as a souvenir or fired for greater durability at a later point at your home location.
Logistics and Cost
Time Involvement – 5 Hours
Schedule: 10:00 am -3:00 pm
Transportation –From / To Tlayudona
Costs and Minimums – 1,930 MXN
Children – Are invited to participate at same cost due to materials. We offer discounts for 2 or more children.
There is a minimum of 3 people required to schedule this experience.