San Juan de Oriente is a small pottery village nestled in the region of Masaya. It’s located about 45 km from Managua but holds a very different feel than the capital city. At first sight, it looks like any other village in Central America: sleepy streets, the laughter of children, balconies adorned with flowers and locals riding their bicycles to work.
However, San Juan de Oriente is very unique. Many of the homes have been transformed into workshops. The art of pottery-making has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years continues to thrive.
The handmade clay pottery is available in a variety of styles: from traditional to pre-Colombian to modern. The artists make sure to please an array of personal tastes and potential buyers.
With a wide range of oddly shaped vases, decorative plates, utilitarian bowls and traditional vessels designed with bas-reliefs or finely-incised details depicting native wildlife, geometric shapes or pre-historic symbols, the choice is overwhelming.
The traditional colors are made with natural dyes rendering each piece more beautiful than the next. I wondered how I could possibly choose from the hundreds of items. I walked up the steps to the workshop of Lourdes Martinez and I knew I was at the right place.
Lourdes greeted me with a shy demeanor and kindly invited me to have a look around. Her modest workshop neatly showcased her beautiful pottery. Each and every piece was conceived, designed and made by her. I could tell she took great pride in her work; it showed in the quality of her workmanship and in the twinkle in her eye.
Like many of the potters in San Juan del Oriente, Lourdes didn't speak nor understand much English but with my basic Spanish we managed to exchange a few phrases. I told her repeatedly how much I liked her work; I was already coveting a few pieces.
The prices were very, very reasonable for the quality of Lourdes's work. After much debating and reluctantly using the good ol' process of elimination, I finally decided on buying four pieces (I always buy a plate for my mom from every country I visit) which incited the biggest smile from Lourdes and a stream of very appreciative gracias.
Whenever I travel, I try to buy directly from local artisans and artists. This insures the money goes straight in their pockets without passing through a bunch of middlemen (and greedy hands). Buying directly from artists also contributes to the local economy helping communities stay alive (if not afloat) and boosts the confidence of those pouring their hearts into their trades.
I asked Lourdes to engrave her signature on all the pieces we bought. She was more than happy to do so knowing her work would be traveling to another country. Below are the four pieces I bought from Lourdes. Each piece carries not only a memory of my visit to the pottery village of San Juan de Oriente but, also, the love and care put into creating these beautiful artworks.
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10 Responses
The Mafia of Masachapa - Life Untraveled
[…] Let me say this, I've traveled to many countries some of which were considered somewhat dangerous without any problems. Also, I don't get scared easily and I'm not paranoid by nature but this time in Masachapa, a sleepy fishing village of all places, I started to worry and so did Pafio (for me not for him). He actually told me that if anything happens, I should just run as fast as I can and not look back. I couldn't imagine getting very far running in my flip flops with blisters on my feet (and, silly me, I was actually thinking how I could rescue the handmade pottery we had purchased in San Juan Del Oriente). […]
Katie @ CreativeTravelGuide
How cute is this place! I am not fussed on pottery but do love browsing artwork and fancy pots like this 🙂
Jennifer Morrow
Beautiful pottery artwork. The plate gift for your Mom is such a great idea. I love buying mugs from different places.
Mel
What a find! That pottery is gorgeous. And it is so nice getting to talk to the person who actually made it and see their personality in the work. I bet your mom loves the plate!
Juliette @ Snorkels To Snow
What beautiful pottery designs! I think this is a great way to be able to take home a piece of the local culture by purchasing art. Your mum must have loved the new piece to her collection. I agree 100% that it is so important to buy straight from the artist if possible, then you know exactly where that money is going. Nice piece!
Kathy James
How beautiful! It’s lovely to find places like this and a wonderful touch that you got her to engrave her name on the piece you bought.
Thank you for sharing this unique town 🙂
Probearoundthe Globe
This makes for a really unique travel souvenir! How did you bring it home?
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Very carefully! 😉
Lourdes wrapped up the pieces with lots of paper and we used our clothes for more wrapping. We weren’t backpacking in Nicaragua so all the pottery fit nicely in our suitcases. Fortunately, nothing was broken. 🙂
Pinay Flying High
My friend brought home a decorative plate from Nicaragua (not sure if it’s from the same place) and it’s definitely a conversation starter as it’s just gorgeous!
Stacey Gilkes
Wow that’s is amazing. What an awesome little town and a great travel momento. I love that you got her to sign it.