Traditional Craving Techniques from gourd to modern pottery

Traditional Craving Techniques from gourd to modern pottery art The Jamaican craving techniques used in gourd art has been passed down from generation to generation, and now transferred to clay medium at Wassi Pottery and Studio

Jamaican Arts and Crafts Martha Brae river rafter takes tourists on the Martha Brae River. The river rafter is also an artist who carves gourds into vases for tourists to buy.

River Rafter with gourd The river rafter displays a gourd which he uses to carve a vase. He carves many gourds to sell to tourists who are rafting on his raft.

River rafter carving gourd The artist carves the gourd using a special tool. Specific symbols are drawn including sailboats, palm trees and hummingbirds.

Finished gourd used for a vase. The artist completes the gourd. The carving is intricate. The artist displays the finished vase for the tourist to buy.

Artists at Wassi Art Potters at Wassi Art create pottery Potters prepare the clay Potters throw pots on the wheel Potters carve pots using similar tools

Preparing the Clay One of the Wassi Artists prepares the clay. The clay is mixed with water. The class is put to dry in the sun The clay is kneeded.

Throwing the pots One Wassi artist throws the clay on the wheel for pots, bowls, mugs, and teapots. This artist also throws the spouts for the teapots.

Carving the bowls Wassi artists carve the bowls when they are leather hard. They use tools that are similar to the traditional gourd carving.

Carving and painting the pots. The Wassi potter shows a Fulbrighter how to carve and paint on the pots. Each potter has a speciality such as preparing clay, throwing pots, carving, attaching handles or glazing.

Adding spouts and handles This Wassi Artist is adding handles to teapots. First he makes the handles. Then he attaches them to the wet teapots. He also attaches spouts.

Glazing the pottery This potter is in charge of glazing the pottery. After the pot is carved, it is painted. Then this artist glazes the pot with a clear glaze.

The pottery is ready for sale. After the pottery is glazed and fired, it is ready to sell. This teapot was bought by a Fulbrighter. The teapot went through all the stages with all the potters.

Credits Dr. Elizabeth Landerholm, Slide Show Producer Fulbright Team Member, LCST Project Appreciation for the activities shown here goes to the following: Rafters from Martha Brae River Rafting Company located at Martha Brae, Jamaica (near city of Montego Bay) www. jamaicarafting. com Artist from Wassi Pottery and Studio located at Great Pond, Jamaica (near city of Ocho Rios) www. wassiart. com