Artist Roster

Esther Naranjo  studied Utilitarian  Ceramic at the Venezuelan Firing Arts Association in 1991. She exhibited in Caracas in 1993, in Germany 1996, and in Tenerife, Spain in 2008- 2009. In December 2020, she exhibited  in the Delaware Contemporary.

Artist Statement: Pottery the healing therapy

This has been a long journey from the first time I met the pottery. It's been almost 30 years and it's only now that I  can live this dream of sharing my life with the clay. Exclusively, with total delivery, with no other commitments but to create new worlds with it. I want  to develop work as a ceramist to  convey everything that ceramics have meant to me. As an old and faithful friend who has accompanied me, molded, sculpted and turned my  character throughout her  life. I would like to share the tremendous experience that is dealing with a material that is alive, which is very old, which contains wisdom in its atoms, which has a personality, that even though it is noble and humble when it lets itself be touched and manipulated and receives our energy, it also has a kind of quiet dignity that the years of life are giving ... What can be older than the earth itself?  

Clay has its character and personality, I  sincerely believe  that pottery is a very healing therapy which is  cheap and very consoling.  Clay is a faithful friend if you learn its principles and they dominate their techniques and processes; it's a mastery of life. It receives our energy, it disciplines us and takes us to other worlds like the fairy tales told to us as children, full of all shapes, colors and promises of other possible worlds, when you surrender and become one with it.

I want to create many more artistic and utilitarian pieces using the synergy of ceramics with other materials such as wood, fabric, glass, aluminum and others, to recycle them in a creative and harmonious way. I  want  to contribute to the healing of the hearts of the world. For  those who approach ceramics,  there is a world of fun, shapes, colors and infinite creation by opening the blank pages of the ceramic book, where we can not only write and draw and dream and materialize all our fantasies, but also leave our sorrows and worries. To be able to convey the healing power that ceramics conceals when you can create something that can be beautiful, useful and fun at the same time. Discovering clay and ceramics changed my  way of seeing the world and the way I approach  it.

"Let's share our creativity by giving it away!" is an arts workshop for people over 55 years old. This program is oriented towards the elaboration of 3 to 5 ceramic pieces developed in class with the support of the appropriate techniques and a methodology to have fun creating some personalized gifts, made of clay, for you or more people in your life.

The creation is based on the theme of the workshop and explores the process of giving and giving ourselves in a supportive environment shared with others. Whenever possible, the theme will link to something the library is currently focusing on, such as "kindness" and "community". Basic pottery skills are introduced, including different clays, modeling, temperatures, accessories, functionality, and beauty. A final exhibition of the artwork created in class will be held after the last class. No previous experience is required.

Specifications: The class is 2 hours each /8 classes (16 hours of teaching and development curriculum, meetings, and classes preparation). Total: $2,100.00. Materials and Firing will be provided. Mileage reimbursement required for longer distances travels.