Before we get all caught up in the excitement of MaARTe fair, I want to tell you a story.
Just a couple of months ago, my original crew of clay artisans quit on me after having a quarrel among themselves. I was heartbroken and thought of closing shop. I had spent three years training my crew and their skills had already surpassed mine. I couldn’t imagine starting over again.
But I remembered the Zen teaching: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” So, with a Zen mind, I chose to begin again.
Meet my present crew of artisans who, just a few weeks ago, had not even touched clay. They were planstadora, labandera, and manicurista. All young mothers living in an urban poor community and hoping for a better life for their children. I am so proud of Joan, Darlyn, and Weng. They took to clay like children themselves, finding through their clay work an innate creativity and a new sense of dignity.
Please think of these ladies when you see, handle, and buy our clay pieces. Each piece you purchase holds infinite possibilities for them.
