shape the present
was born from the desire to inspire YOU to be in a state of calm through ceramics. “How are you now? how do you feel now?” are our guiding questions during the practice. Paying attention and being conscious about our self-dialog invites us to reflect on our everyday actions and helps us to live mindful.
We allow ourselves to discover clay as if it were our first time having clay in our hands. Curiosity and openness are everything you need to enjoy our workshops. Our ceramist Amanda teaches us “the snake” technique so we intuitively know how to roll and “glue” them together. We learn how one can make water-resistant and functional pieces while Amanda solves all of our questions about clay humidity, different types of clay and forms, baking temperatures, and glazing.
At our workshops, we use the power of nature through aromatherapy scented candles, Luisa, our candle maker created a balanced yet joyful blend that makes us feel grounded. The only thing we can say about it, is that there are some notes of a fruity and sweet orange.
Towards the end of our workshop, everyone chooses their favorite glaze. After approximately 3 weeks, our pieces are ready to be picked up at TERRA LATINA. Right downstairs at the well-known Küffer Keramik-Werkstatt, the pieces are baked for the first time at 800°C, then glazed and baked again at 1240°C.
Who are we?
Amanda
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated by clay.
I was in love with its textures, colors, and even how it smells. It brought me happiness, calm, and joy. When I got older, I felt that life was happening too fast and I didn’t got the time to connect with myself.
Four years ago, I followed my intuition and felt the necessity to come back to clay again, not knowing what it had prepared for me.
Ceramics surprised me because it gave me a lot more than I was expecting. Here are some lessons that I learned about when I sit at the wheel: acceptance, freedom, kindness, and mindfulness. It helped me to perceive and know myself better. I finally started to understand and follow my own time and realized what is actually important for me in life.
My decisions started to be in line with my inner self and vision. And I started to live a life in purpose. All of that brought me here, to share my experience with you through the shape the present workshop.
Luisa
Coming from the Colombian mountains means being surrounded by exquisite scents like pineapple, coffee, cacao, and sugar cane plantations. During quarantine times I was guided back to the aromatherapy world. And this time, contrary to harvest scents they were essential oils. I use them during my meditation, and yoga sessions, and feeling how the smell of fresh orange elevates my mood and lavender calms me down, motivated me to keep experimenting with different types of scents. Sweet and floral. Citrus and fresh. Woody and fruit.
All of it led me to have the honor to materialize the shape the present workshop together with Amanda. Supporting you during our ceramics sessions with aromatherapy and a short guided meditation while we enjoy a fruity and joyful natural blend has become my empiric profession.
Together we will explore all the phases of the "shape the present" scent. ✨
And you
By participating in any of our events you are helping us make our dream come true: building a sustainable social art center in Bahia, Brazil. We aim to provide a free community space where locals can explore their artistic talents and connect with others. This space will offer art supplies, workshops, and a platform for local artists to showcase their work, fostering creativity and community engagement. There you will have the chance to reconnect with nature, join creative sessions, and engage with locals.
Thank you so much for joining us in this adventure. We look forward to seeing you at any of our events and working together to make a difference through art.