Open-Air Firing Workshop in Francisco Villa

Darwin Cruz and PH Joel’s Ceramics Workshop in Francisco Villa

Darwin Cruz, of Ch’ol origin, and PH Joel, a Tseltal artist, chose to collaborate in order to better manage the groups of children and youth interested in attending workshops in the ejido of Francisco Villa, a village located in the jungle region of Ocosingo, Chiapas. Ceramics was chosen as the central theme, given the presence of several local clay extraction sites suitable for pottery making.

A day before the workshop, a documentary was screened showcasing communities that preserve and share traditional practices. The purpose was twofold: to emphasize the value of cultural identity and to encourage local residents to participate in the workshop.

The session began with a talk about the types of ceramics that once existed in the jungle, the locations of clay deposits, the cleaning process, the components of the clay mixture, and the grinding of quartz to improve the strength of the pieces during firing.

Participants then learned hand-building techniques, followed by various methods for decorating the pieces—either before or after firing—such as sgraffito and the application of mineral- or plant-based pigments.