Denise Reid, Gleaner Writer

Doug Casebeer director of the ceramics programme at Anderson Ranch and instructor at 'The Kiln and The Kitchen' shows us how creative he can get as he makes this pot.- photos by Denise Reid

In Good Hope in Trelawny, ceramist David Pinto recently hosted The Kiln and the Kitchen: pottery and food; an international workshop which saw participants converging upon the Good Hope Estates.

One may find it difficult to pair a kiln and a kitchen but on closer examination, both concepts come together naturally.

Jamaican-born David Pinto, one of the country's leading ceramic artists, has hosted international workshops in Good Hope, Trelawny at his well-equipped modern studio for 14 years now.

For about 12 of these years, he has worked with outstanding artist and fellow instructor Doug Casebeer.

Casebeer directs the ceramics programme at Anderson Ranch in the United States. Having lived in Jamaica for three years, teaching inner-city youth, Casebeer told The Gleaner that he always had a sense that one day he would be back doing some kind of work.

Both explained that for a number of years they had considered the combination of ceramics and cooking, with a belief that, while working, potters would be better off with input from culinary experts, as they would be able to garner direct information from the experts who actually use their work.

According to Pinto, "when you have people focused on making plates and bowls, the end result is how they function." Said Casebeer, "As a professional potter, I sometimes feel like I make my work in a vacuum; I don't get that input."

A love for Jamaican food

Enter Lucinda Scala Quinn, vice-president and editorial director of food and entertaining for Martha Stewart living magazine. Quinn has been travelling to Jamaica since childhood. Developing a love for Jamaican food, she is the author of Lucinda's Authentic Jamaican Kitchen.

The group delved into the creation of many dishes, and as they cooked and ate, they discussed the shapes, forms and suitability of various pots, pestles and plates.

In addition to exploring the Good Hope Estate, participants also met other artists and saw demonstrations in fish pot and basket making; and because Pinto and Quinn are very focused on community outreach, students from Montego Bay High also visited and participated in the workshop.

The participants expressed great satisfaction in working and gathering knowledge from professionals in a picturesque setting, so it really is unlikely that anyone would leave dissatisfied.

This array of ingredients being used by students in the culinary demonstration were displayed in these pieces of pottery designed by David Pinto.