Potters Abroad

We all love travel adventures, and recently Nancee Neel, a member of our Independent Study and Mentoring Program, had a wonderful adventure to Cuba! While on the pre-designed tours, Nancee managed to talk her group’s tour guide into a slight diversion to visit the studio of reknown Cuban potter Azariel Santander. Here is a brief description with pictures of her grand experience – thanks for sharing it with us, Nancee, and hopefully we’ll make the next trip there with you!

the village potters, asheville, nc, cuba, Azariel Santander
the village potters, asheville, nc, pottery, ceramics, cuba, Azariel Santander“Is anyone here a potter?”, he asked in Spanish from his wheel.  My husband pointed to me, and before I knew it, I was taking Azariel Santander’s place at his ‘torno’ in Trinidad, Cuba, about to throw a small bowl out of clay from the Escambray Mountains, while 25 people watched!!
the village potters, asheville, nc, pottery, nancee neel, cuba, Azariel Santander
the village potters, asheville, nc, pottery, cuba, nancee neel, Azariel Santander
It was an amazing experience with one of Cuba’s best-known potters.  What’s next??? He invited me and my potter-friends to come back and spend a week or two throwing and sharing with him and his family!! Who’s in???
¡VAMOS!