Thank You!
By purchasing one of our pots you are supporting our project.
Background Information
In 2004, Casa de Amistad, Athens' Hispanic Outreach Ministry from the Presbytery
Church, and the Lyndon House Arts Center joined efforts to create a pottery
workshop for Latino Women. Since then, an average of 6 to 8 enthusiastic women
have been meeting every week to enthusiastically create functional clay objects
in beautiful shapes and bright colors in a blend of aesthetics and techniques
learned from Latin-American and US Southeastern pottery traditions. Our group
was named Casa de La Cultura ( House of Culture) by its founding members, referring
to the Mexican traditional art houses where people of all ages congregate to
celebrate, learn, and create art. That spirit of creativity, inclusiveness,
and celebration is what characterizes us.
Who are we?
Casa de la Cultura members are typically Latino women who do not have a job
or who work the night shift at a local poultry plant. Other members of our group
are our children, who join the workshops and learn to work with clay when they
are not in school. Volunteer potters and non-potters from the Athens community
join us regularly to share their knowledge, help with transportation, find venues
to sale our wares, and create art with us.
How does it work?
The Lyndon House provides the facilities and pays the current group organizer
for instruction time. Casa de Amistad helps to spread the word among the Hispanic
Community, provides volunteers for workshops and sale events, and occasionally
grants funds for supplies. However, most of the funds for supplies are generated
by our sales. Upon the sale of our pots, each individual artist keeps 80% of
the sale price of her pieces and the group keeps the reminder 20% to replenish
our stocks of clay and glazes.
Does it work?
Women who have been part of Casa de La Cultura for a few months to a few years
have learned a new skill, have found an outlet for their creativity, and have
made some extra cash to help with family expenses. For most, if not all of us,
the weekly pottery sessions are the highlight of our week. Those of us who have
not yet mastered the English language and don't work or drive, live very isolated
lives, otherwise. Aside from the pottery, our group has provided us with an
opportunity to connect with each other, help each other with transportation
and childcare, and learn about Athens resources. Casa de La Cultura has also
provided us with an opportunity to get to know and work together with our non-Latino
members and volunteers, making possible inter-cultural connections and friendships
that are hard to come by in a rather segregated town. If you or someone you
know would like to participate, if you’d like to find out more about our
project or are interested in receiving information about our future sales and
projects, please write to Juana at jgnecco@gmail.com or call 706-549-7007. Thank
you for your interest and support!