Saint Lucia’s traditional crafts – open-fired pottery, baskety and furniture making – can be found in the beautiful Quarter of Choiseul, nestled in the shadow of Gros Piton.
Today we bring you a short video of one of elders of the fabulous community of women potters. Mary Leo agreed to let us film her making a souvenir version of Saint Lucia’s clay cooking stove, the coalpot.
If you are as fascinated by this as we are, you’ll be happy to know you can book a tour to this potter’s workshop with Vin’s Agri-Tours, run by Mary’s daughter Vinaya. Miss Leo will introduce you to the beautiful – but laborious! – craft of making objects from local clay.
You can watch a demonstration, ask questions and try your hand at making a clay souvenir yourself! Whatever you choose to do you will learn all about the different objects produced out of clay, the techniques and the historical and cultural importance of pottery to the Choiseul community.
And don’t worry – you can also buy Mary Leo’s expertly made pottery as well as an enticing assortment of other traditional and contemporary local crafts at Vin’s Boutique.
With the breathtaking Gros Piton in the back-yard and beautiful Anse l’Ivrogne Beach a short walk away, complete with a ‘blue hole’ to snorkel or dive, you might want to amend your vacation or staycation plans and spend a few nights in the lovely B&B accommodation as well!
Find Mary Leo and Vin’s Boutique here: https://w3w.co/tinkle.waterfalls.supervisors
or click https://goo.gl/maps/Q5Nhyk1BpjkvA8xH7
Contact Vinaya for this tour; rambles around the farm and community or down to Anse l’Ivrogne Beach or to stay in the BnB
Does she offer to teach anyone how to make these
hello Sherl, yes she does! That’s the focus of thier tour, so just get in touch and let them know you found them on Island Effect please 🙂
Do u need expérienced people to work ?
Hello Marlon, thanks for your interest, please go to our ‘Work with us’ section and fill in the form there
all the best
What a queen! So talented. Hope some how an initiative is taken to teach younger folks her skills. It would be great if she classes for kids im sure my daughter would love that.
There is a lady in Marigot bay who does the traditional grass mats. So talented. She does a great job and adds so much details. I just love to see her work.
Great site btw.
xx
Keiwa
Hi Keiwa, thanks so much for stopping by Island Effect! Yes, she does give classes – just get in touch with Vinaya via the link and book!