A reflection by our studio team member and Seasonal Pit Firing facilitator, Gabriela Montufar, on her artist residency experience in the mountains of Medellín, Colombia. Through clay, land, ritual, and community, Gabriela shares what it means to reconnect with ancestral ways of making. Reflections from Hannah Myers, Gabi's bestie who also participated in the artist residency sprinkled throughout.

Colombia, Clay, and the Sacred River

My mom has always told me to say yes to opportunities first, and trust that the “how” will figure itself out later. So when my boss called and asked if I wanted to join attend an artist residency in the mountains of Colombia, my answer flowed out of me so fast:

“Hell yeah.”

In April, I traveled to the mountains of Colombia with one of my bestest friends, Hannah Myers, for a four-day artist residency centered around clay. She and I met going to school at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and I knew immediately she was the one I wanted to ask to experience this with me. We stayed in a handmade clay home deep within the jungle mountains, made and cared for by two beautiful humans, Anamariya and Angelo, whose generosity, spirit, and relationship to the earth transformed the way I think about clay, land, and community.

Hannah:

“The opportunity to attend this residency was a truly transformative experience, deepening my connection with clay, land, and spirit in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Getting to attend alongside one of my best friends, a contemporary artist I deeply admire and have learned so much from, only made it that much sweeter.”

The experience was more than a residency, it was a connection to culture and a way of life.

Day One — The Sacred River

Our first morning began with a hike upward the mountain to Anamariya and Angelo's clay home and studio. What a completely different way of life they live from ours back in the states. They live with nature and the land as opposed to the idea of nature being something we “visit”. We continued hiking even higher, toward a sacred river where we would forage clay.

Along the way to start our quiet meditative hike, we shared mamba which is powdered tobacco used for grounding, connection, and presence. The mountain suddenly felt louder and quieter at the same time.

I became aware of everything: our breathing, the feeling of my feet stepping into the mountain, the sounds of insects and birds, and the damp smell of the earth. I was thinking about those that had walked this mountain before us. I felt my gaze touch every leaf.

Seeing Angelo so gracefully machete the path clear while carrying his baby on his back. I mean how badass is that. I saw my future maybe?

When we asked them how they found the sacred river up the mountain, they shared something so special:

This place whispered to us. Guiding us here.

As though the mountain had been waiting until it could trust them.

And truly, I melted hearing that.

When we arrived at the river, I immediately understood why it is sacred. The place felt ancient and alive. I felt so honored they shared this place with us. I still hold the visual memory of that place so clearly in my mind.

Before foraging clay, we built an altar together. I brought offerings from home like rosemary, sage, and small clay bricks I had made.

Anamariya guided us into a beautiful meditation.

Angelo dug a hole into the earth, and together we buried our offerings while speaking gratitude and intentions aloud.

I cried when I spoke mine. Tear glands fully activated y’all.

I was so overwhelmed with emotion, in the best way.

I couldn’t believe my life, where I was, and being here with these beautiful people in this beautiful place.

The clay we gathered from the river felt so magical. It was a rich charcoal gray filled with mica that sparkled like tiny stars (and Edward’s skin in the sun haha). To bring back clay to the studio, Anamariya cut a giant elephant leaf and wrapped the clay inside it. It was the coolest thing ever, for lack of better words.

Hannah:

“We learned about wild clay foraging within the context of respecting our shared earth and our reciprocal relationship with her, always giving back and giving thanks, never taking more than we need, using our resources carefully, intentionally, and fully.”