Bianca Bartley (right), creator of Peace-Is-of-Bianca jewellery collection, pairs her latest peacock-inspired neckpiece as a whimsical accessory for Patsy Evelyn's lavender suit.

I Love JA belles Nikeisha Boothe (left) and Kimberly Lue Lim model their colourful totes at the official opening of The Pottery Store by Wassi Art in Devon House on Wednesday. The Pottery Store is the exclusive Kingston distributor of the I Love JA line.

Wassi Art is a treasure chest of unusual pottery that absolutely delights local collectors and visitors to the island.

With headquarters in Great Pond, Ocho Rios, and featuring an outlet at the historic Devon House, Wassi Art is a unique one-of-a-kind Jamaican store.

One would be hard-pressed to find a Jamaican ceramic-art lover who does not display at least one Wassi piece in his/her home. Wassi has been a staple on the local art scene for almost two decades, and like fine wine it seems to get better with age.

True to its mantra of promoting joy through art while nurturing and supporting local artists, Wassi facilitates a hub of tranquil creativity at its studios, as potters and artists inspire and challenge each other, taking their ideas to greater heights. The result is one-of-a-kind, handmade Jamaican pieces.

New management

Now under new management, Wassi Art has expanded to include a bevy of local artists. This truth speaks through each piece on the Wassi store display. The store has become a one-stop shop for the best ceramics and other local works of art our fair island has to offer. The Devon House location is appropriately named The Pottery Store by Wassi Art. Popular artists and products featured include Bellina Collection, Banyan Creations, Phillip Supersad, Peace-is-of-Bianca and Alphanso Blake.

On Wednesday, as a show of appreciation to customers and art lovers, The Pottery Store by Wassi Art hosted an open house where artists and their art were on display. Guests could put a face to the names featured on some of their favourite pieces and heard first-hand how some of the classics were inspired. Throw in some discounts (up to 25 per cent), good cocktails and even better company, and it made for one fine event.