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Mi Herencia, Mis Raices... My Heritage, My Roots...

Nitza Walesca

Apr 8th - May 29th, 2022

Mi Herencia, Mis Raices, My Heritage, My Roots

The artist, Nitza Walesca, creates innovative vessels based on traditional forms and adorns them with Taino symbols. Her indigenous Puerto Rican, Taino heritage serves as a strong inspiration. Nitza was introduced to ceramic art by her high school art teacher, and then continued her education through The Clay Studio. She is now a Claymobile Teaching Artist and Community Engagement Assistant at The Clay Studio, as well as a resident of our new neighborhood, South Kensington.

Read more about Nitza's inspirations below.

Artist Talks

nitza rosario studio 2 6 slideshow

Thursday, May 12 | 6:30 PM

Nitza Walesca Gallery Talk

Join us in Nitza Walesca's exhibition to hear her talk about her process and the meaning behind each of her pieces.

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Loiza Brown

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Monserrate Rivera

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Taina Yuiza

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La Clave

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Loiza Brown

Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay black low fire glaze from the clay studio

Measurements:
18 inches tall x 37.5 inches round

Date:
2021

Description:
This vessel is created to represent Africa and the slave brought over to Puerto Rico. Loiza, Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of people traced back to Africa living on the island. My family is from Loiza, Puerto Rico and our last name is BROWN. Only one family in Puerto Rico with our last name.

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nitza2

Monserrate Rivera

Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fired to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the Clay studio

Measurements:
18" height x 36" diameter

Date:
2021

Description:
This vessel is created to represent Spain. Spain introduced lace to the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. Currently there is a museum in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico dedicated to the creations of lace. Monserrate Rivera was my great grandmother, a very strong proud brown faced woman. Her daily job was to cook and feed the men who came to work the sugar cane fields. Monserrate means mountain tops and is a name traced back to Spain.

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nitza4

Taina Yuiza

Medium & Materials:
thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fired to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the clay studio

Measurements:
19" height x 34" diameter

Date:
2021

Description:
TAINA YUIZA - created in HONOR of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. The TAINOS. Tainos were a beautifully peaceful tribe who appreciated and loved their island. The Tainos did not have our current common alphabets and used images to communicate. Carved into the clay, this vessel has 4 different Taino symbols. The Chiefs to the tribes were usually men, Yuiza is the only female noted as a Chief.

nitza1
nitza1

La Clave

Medium & Materials:
6 individual pieces thrown in sections on the pottery wheel 104 standard low fire terra cotta clay - fire to cone 03 Black low fire glaze from the clay studio

Measurements:
19" hieight x 35" diameter

Date:
2021

Description:
LA CLAVE - is the BEAT that keeps our SALSA music in rhythm.

Nitza Walesca in the studio

nitza rosario studio 2 9 slideshow

TAINA YUIZA was created in HONOR of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico.  The TAINOS.  Tainos were a beautifully peaceful tribe who appreciated and loved their island. The Tainos did not have our current common alphabets and used images to communicate. Carved into the clay, this vessel has 4 different Taino symbols.  The Chiefs to the tribes were usually men, Yuiza is the only female noted as a Chief. 

LOIZA BROWN represents Africa and the slaves brought over to Puerto Rico.  Loiza, Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of people traced back to Africa living on the island. My family is from Loiza, Puerto Rico and our last name is BROWN.  Only one family in Puerto Rico with our last name.

MONSERRATE RIVERA represent Spain. Spain introduced lace to the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. There is a museum in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico dedicated to the creations of lace. Monserrate Rivera was my great grandmother, a very strong proud brown faced woman. Her daily job was to cook and feed the men who came to work the sugar cane fields. Monserrate means mountain tops and is a name traced back to Spain.

 LA CLAVE - is the BEAT that keeps our SALSA music in rhythm.