Hands in Clay: Santa Maria Atzompa – Borchard Fellows
Let’s go to Atzompa, the “green clay” community. You’ll meet “Los Ardillas,” an artisan family dedicated 100% to working with clay. Each member of the family uses a different technique, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe them and try the ones that catch your attention.
Our hosts will guide you step by step through the process of transforming raw clay into unique ceramic pieces. They will explain where the clay comes from, how it must be mixed in order to be workable, how and when to decorate it, the types of wheels used to create different pieces, and the drying and firing process.
This workshop is for everyone: feel the earth between your fingers, create as many pieces as you like, and explore new methods while connecting with the deep roots of this ancestral art. Chow down on a homemade meal with the family and enjoy a slow travel moment.
Your experience will include the following:
- Round-trip transportation.
- 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 15 days of your experience*
Additional information:
- Your pieces will be left to dry for 15 days to ensure they dehydrate evenly and do not crack during firing. Once fired, they will be returned to your hotel. If your pieces are not ready to be fired before your departure (due to adverse weather conditions), you may take them unfired or request that we fire them and have them shipped to you at your expense.