When Austin Weekes conceived of the idea of a pottery workshop at the Crafthouse in Basseterre, he certainly wasn’t expecting the outpouring of interest he generated.

Finally acting on an idea which had long lain dormant through pressures of work, other priorities, lack of funds, etc., Weekes approached the Basic Needs Trust Fund, (BNTF) to sponsor a series of workshops aimed at teaching the art form of pottery to the citizens/artists of the Federation.

After many months of negotiation, consultation and behind the scenes manoeuvrings, a partnership between the BNTF, through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and The National Handicraft and Cottage Industries Development Board (The Craft House), was formed to bring the idea to fruition. Sponsorship is through the Government of St Kitts and Nevis and The Caribbean Development Bank.

The tutor was selected, in the person of the well-established Potter/Ceramist/Artist, Adam Azaire from St Lucia. Adam has over 20 years experience with the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Service, Caribbean Development Bank, Barbados, facilitating workshops in Pottery, Ceramics, Wood Art, Glass Art, Painting with Acrylics, Mould Making with Latex Rubber and Fiber Glass for Concrete. During 2008, he facilitated eight such workshops, most recently in Anguilla and St Kitts. In St Kitts he taught Introduction to Mould Making and Casting with Slip and Wood Firing.

With everything in place, the venue selected, the resources and materials purchased, delivered and secured, all that was left to do was to publicise the workshops. Press releases and media briefs were sent out; appearances on radio and TV shows followed and within days the Craft House and the BNTF were inundated with responses. So much so that the planned two three-hour daily classes were filled to capacity and a third class in the evening had to be introduced.

When asked if he was surprised by the response, Mr Weekes replied; “I certainly was! We had an idea that there was a need, but this great a need was unexpected. What was equally surprising was the high percentage of men who requested to join the workshop. This was another reason why we just had to add another class!”

The course is being delivered over approximately thirteen weeks, five days a week. All materials and equipment is provided. The tutor, Adam Azaire, was particularly impressed with the demand from the public. From the first week, the commitment of participants was evident, and even the short theory session was keenly undertaken. Participants were exposed in the early weeks to drawing techniques to enable then to translate their ideas into working drawings before starting to work with clay. For some participants this was the first time they had received any formal tuition in that creative art form.

Over a period of 13 weeks, participants will learn the clay working techniques of pinching, coil, slab, throwing on the wheel and combination techniques. Understanding glazes, firing and all aspects of producing pottery will be undertaken.

I spoke with one participant, Marie, who had some experience with pottery previously, and asked what attracted her to the workshops. “My main interest was to upgrade my ceramist skills; it was an opportunity to learn more about the harder clay, which is pottery, rather than the liquid clay which I had used previously.”

Speaking of the expected outcomes of the workshop, Mr Weekes revealed that the intention is that a co-operative or association will result from the participants who see pottery as a new area for expansion in the craft industry. “All the resources will be available for a group of potters to manage themselves and so create opportunities for a vibrant new sector to the economy of the Federation,” Weekes said.

Plans are currently underway for the work to be displayed at The St Kitts/Nevis Room at the Marriott on 22nd May 2009 at 5:00 p.m., where the work will be available for sale to the public.

Kittivisian Life will certainly be there to capture and report on the results of this exciting project.

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