"Cultural Barn" ceramic workshop overview
Traditions are an important part of local identity and cultural heritage. The presentation of a type of craft tells the story of a place and its cultural heritage. The project "Cultural Barn" in Kintai is funded under the EEA Financial Mechanism Culture Programme (instrument code LT04-3-KM-K) call "Promoting local cultural entrepreneurship. Local community and children took part in the workshops.
The project organiser Kintai Arts and their partners have completed the first session of ceramic works in Kintai. The project includes 16 workshop sessions of 4 hours each.
These activities are curated and implemented by the Kintai Vydūnas Cultural Centre, which specialises in educational and ethno-cultural projects, promotion of of handicrafts amongst the youth.. The first part of the workshop session was dedicated specifically to children and young people. Ceramics classes will be held again in autumn 2022
Kintai Vydūnas Cultural Centre worked with students of Kintai Primary School. Most of the children were touching clay for the first time, got acquainted with its structure, properties and technological possibilities, and were able to try and understand for themselves how clay is used to create various ceramic works. The children learnt how to cut a sheet of clay and shape it into a saucer to create their first products. This led to the creation of the autumn leaf-shaped plates. Later, they learnt how to cut out a fish shape, decorate it and form a plate or a soap dish. Since January 2023, seven sessions have been held for groups of people from the communities of Kintai and Šilutė district. The classes have been attended by both beginners and experienced artists.
Every Saturday, with the help of sculptor Justina Vitkutė, all the participants immersed themselves in the subtleties of ceramics. Participants were able to creatively realise the knowledge they had acquired and had the opportunity to freely express themselves individually. They learnt how to make cups, plates, coasters and other products. In the last session, the participants immersed themselves in the making of kokles. Using the old techniques of embossed kokle making, everyone created a decorative ceramic plate.
These will later be used to make a ceramic tile panel, which will remain in the Culture Skūnės workshop as a first collaborative work. It is called therapy and meditation. During the last lesson of the first workshop session, the participants shared their impressions of the experience. Most of them described the ceramic practice as a kind of therapy, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world of creativity, to get away from the worries of everyday life, and to gain new experiences. "It's relaxing. Time passes unnoticed and it helps you to take a break from all kinds of worries," said project participant Jurgita Tamošaitienė. "I tried ceramics for the first time. It's a fun way to spend a weekend and learn new useful things", said Manta Karlinskaitė. "It's a kind of meditation!" And if there is a possibility to extend this training, that would be great!", commented project participant Gražina Merkelytė-Šimkuvienė. Justina Vitkutė, a graduate of the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, is also a teacher and is delighted with the opportunity. According to Justina, the thought of working with people was a bit scary, but once the classes started, all her fears disappeared and she was always looking forward to the start of new classes. There will be many more activities in the future as the ceramics classes continue.
There will be other activities too. The first creative session of the ceramics workshop is over. It was a trial session, so the sessions were free of charge. For those who want to continue this activity and immerse themselves in the art of ceramics, this is an opportunity.
The second part of the session will be paid, but the participants are committed to continue attending the education sessions. The "Cultural Barn" project also includes various other activities. These will include traditional local crafts such as vintage boat building, traditional weathervanes and pottery making. These activities aim to involve local people of all ages: young people, children from vulnerable backgrounds and senior citizens. The aim is to raise the self-esteem of the local population, develop volunteering and the ability to represent the region. With the establishment of the "Cultural Barn" workshops, all activities will become educational programmes and will be provided as a continuous cultural service for which there were no suitable facilities before.
Šilutės naujienos
23rd March, 2023, No. 12 (1952)
