Initially, the plan was to co-create a collective ceramic dish with the Oltre L’Arte Matera laboratory leader. However, during the mobility, a summer camp was taking place with 24 participants—women of different ages, children, and people with disabilities. At first, only a few women expressed interest, and we started preparing our workspace. Unexpectedly, everyone wanted to participate. After this great engagement, I shared my vision and asked permission to include one final piece from each participant in the final Craftwork4All exhibition. We set up the workbenches and adapted the idea into a fully inclusive, collective creation. To support collaboration and learning the techniques, I proposed that everyone create their own small, freeform ceramic plate. We divided into groups, prepared and experimented with different types of clay, shaped the plates, and decorated them using the sgraffito technique. Each person explored her creativity through form and design. The process was joyful, inclusive, colorful, and deeply collaborative. The co-created final art piece is a colorful collection of small, handmade ceramic plates, each uniquely shaped like a small cave and decorated using the sgraffito technique. The inspiration came from the old grandmothers’s houses of the Greek islands and Italy, where families displayed their finest dishes in special furniture. The shapes of the plates represent small caves, reflecting the interior of homes at Matera's Sassi and the cultural heritage of Matera. Using symbols and motifs from ancient Greek ceramics from Crete, Rhodes, Milos, and also from ancient Cyprus as a reference, the goal was to connect the cultures through shared symbols, including Matera's motifs such as animals, architecture, water, and calligraphy. Each plate expresses personal identity and vision, opening a window to shared culture and history and creating an open dialogue between the two countries and cultures. Additionally, a large central plate was produced to express my gratitude for this mobility and collaboration. Uccio rolled out the clay for this plate, Irma cut the shape, and I formed and painted it.
A warm welcome and a brief introduction by the host organization, Oltre L’Arte Matera, Laboratorio Artigianato Solidale, took place on the first day. They also showed me their previous craft projects and ceramic works, giving me valuable insight into their artistic journey and community engagement. We engaged in a productive discussion about the challenges previously encountered in ceramic production, and I proposed practical solutions and introduced a new ceramic technique to help address these issues. My first hands-on session focused on papier-mâché, during which I created a seashell-inspired piece. From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to engage and collaborate with people with disabilities, learning from their creativity and perspective. Following that, I conducted a mini workshop for a small group of four participants, introducing them to the pinching technique in ceramics. This is a hand-building method where clay is shaped by gently squeezing it between the fingers. We used terracotta clay to create perfume dispensers. During my mobility with Oltre L’Arte Matera, I also led a two-day workshop attended by 24 participants, including women of various ages, children, and people with disabilities. I taught them how to hand-build plates using different types of clay and introduced them to the sgraffito technique for decorating the final pieces. Additionally, I collaborated closely with Raffaele, a participant with disabilities, and learned the papier-mâché process from him. Together, we worked on completing a large papier-mâché piece. Uccio, the laboratory leader, taught me a new papier-mâché technique for creating a traditional Matera bell, a symbolic piece representing the city. He provided ongoing support throughout my mobility. Irma was also incredibly helpful and supportive during the entire process. Pina was by my side when it came to teaching the children. Overall, everyone at Oltre L’Arte Matera and Matera Hub extended a warm and generous welcome throughout my stay. During the first week, an experienced Italian ceramist visited the laboratory and supported my project and workshops. I also participated in a workshop she led, where I learned to create traditional Matera ceramics, including symbolic trees and gnomes. Moreover, during this mobility, I gained valuable experience in the ceramic firing process. I encountered and addressed challenges related to firing three different types of clay at the same time. As a representative artist of the Craftswork4All program, invited by Matera Hub, I gave a speech in Italian at an event presenting the program to local artists and crafters. Over the weekend, I attended a paper recycling workshop in Altamura, organized by another Craftswork4All partner. Throughout the entire mobility, I maintained a close and collaborative relationship with the host organization and all the partners supporting this European program for emerging artists and crafters.
This mobility experience significantly enhanced my skills in ceramics and other crafts, including papier-mâché, paper crafts, and recycled papermaking. It was also my first time leading arts and crafts workshops, which proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Collaborating with 24 participants from another country, each with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, deepened my appreciation for craft, inclusivity, and creative community spaces. My relationship with Oltre L’Arte Matera and Matera Hub opened the door to future cooperation and artistic exchange. Moreover, visiting one of the oldest cities in the world left me deeply inspired by its architecture and history. I also recognized cultural similarities between our countries, which made the experience even more meaningful. Although I was in a different country and city, I felt safe, welcomed, and truly at home. Despite the language barriers, team spirit and collaboration were strong. I would love to visit again and continue working in such a creative and inclusive laboratory space. At the Matera Hub event, I made valuable connections with experienced local ceramists, artists, craft specialists, and community members. These contacts enriched both my professional network and my passion for craft and ceramics. On the next days in my free time, I explored the city, visiting museums and Matera's old churches and visiting local artists' studios. Observing their work and experiencing Matera's culture also provided me with great inspiration for future art projects. Furthermore, participating in workshops led by Italian crafters expanded my cultural knowledge and technical skills. Working on the Olte L'Arte Matera laboratory, I learned how to prepare and set up the kiln, understood the ceramic firing process, and gained insight into how to overcome related challenges. Although that, the most important lesson for me was learning about inclusivity in arts & crafts and workplaces. This mobility gave me the knowledge that you can raise and empower people with disabilities to live fully autonomous lives, expressing themselves through arts, learning new skills, fostering their passion for independence and work skills, and creating a safe environment where everyone can share their creativity and their authentic selves. Overall, this experience boosted my confidence in intercultural collaboration and ceramics, strengthened my commitment to promoting inclusivity and community-based art projects in the future, and encouraged me to explore more of the world of crafts.
Maria Eirini Grigora