What can a piece of clay tell us about Ecuador?
Much more than we might imagine.
Our next Cultura Viva Spanish course, Raíces de Barro, invites Intermediate+ Spanish learners to discover Ecuador through one of its oldest and most enduring forms of expression: ceramics.
We’ll travel through Ecuadorian history and culture by looking at ceramics created by different cultures and regions of the country—from Valdivia, Chorrera, Jama-Coaque and La Tolita to traditions that continue today.
We’ll look at the forms, symbols, techniques and uses of these pieces, and what they reveal about everyday life, beliefs, identity and cultural heritage. We’ll trace how ceramic knowledge has been passed from generation to generation and continues to shape contemporary ceramic art.
• Classes combine conversation
• Visual materials
• Close observation of ceramic pieces
• Hands-on work with clay
We’re excited to welcome Laura Vergara, a Colombian ceramic artist and specialist in pre-Columbian and ancestral ceramics, as our guest speaker. Laura will share her knowledge of the cultural importance of ceramics in Ecuador, with a special focus on traditional ceramic stamps and their history. She’ll lead a hands-on workshop where students will create their own ceramic stamp.
October 21 – November 13
Wednesdays and Fridays · 11:30 AM – 1 PM
$120 · Includes ceramic workshop, kiln firing and guest speaker
The course is conducted entirely in Spanish, giving you the opportunity to deepen your language skills while connecting with Ecuador’s history, creativity and living cultural traditions.
Not sure if you’re at the right level? We have a short placement test to help you find out.
At idiomARTE
Benigno Malo 4-82 y Calle Larga · Cuenca
IdiomARTE, Email address: spanish@idiomarte.com
City: Cuenca
