Abstract

Allpa is a Peruvian craft trading company providing marketing assistance to artisan groups and family workshops throughout Peru. In addition, Allpa provides technical help, product development advice, skills training, tools and appropriate equipment to artisans. Artisans can access short-term and mid-term loans to improve infrastructure and their workshops. Allpa works with families located in Cusco, Ayacucho, Chulucanas, Cajamarca and Huancavelica as well as Shipibo people living in the Amazon rainforest area of Pucalepa. For most of these people, craft production is a sole source of income.
In 1982, a group of economists, anthropologists and sociologists of the Universidad Católica of Lima created Allpa to improve living standards of handicrafts producers. Allpa began active work as an alternative trading organization in 1986.

In September 2010 R Winter undertook a short trip (7 days) to Lima
R Winter and Allpa used this trip to research and establish where design and technical consultation would be of most benefit. Although very short, this trip was invaluable and gave Robert Winter an insight into the capabilities of the potteries concerned.
R Winter concluded that the potteries are well equipped with all suitable materials and equipment for hand and cast made pottery. However it was foreseen that other techniques and alternative production methods which may be introduced may need additional equipment and perhaps support from Allpa, Traidcraft and The University of Sunderland

2011 Workshop/Trip
The workshop covered three distinct areas of interest:

A design and making workshop was delivered at the Chullucanas pottery and a shorter design and making workshop at the Lima pottery .
A design and technical workshop took place to establish the capability of the Lima pottery to produce a range of specific products for the European Market

These workshops were led by Robert Winter and Maria del Carmen director of Allpa assisted by three phd students fromn the University of Sunderland

Design Workshops

Chullucanas Prject ( North Peru)
New designs for Smoke Fired Ware

The emphasis was on methods of production and design. The goal of the visit was to implement the development and design of a range of new pieces which will improve the products’ place in the modern ceramics market. Students arrived with designs ready for production and oversaw this with RW and Maria del Carmen.
The designs were for a new range of highly decorative thrown vessel forms and two new designs for nativity sets. Both ranges used the traditional technique of Berbatine and Burnishing combined with Smoke Firing

Key Areas

Methods of Production: Establishing production and firing methods in line with existing practice.

Design: Collating possibilities of design changes based on key elements from the market trend and existing Peruvian production. (Colour, form, decoration, functionality)

Range: Expanding/adapting existing range to suit modern market, adding new products suitable to modern market place

Materials: Adapting existing /available materials to new designs, possibility of introducing alternative materials suitable to new designs and function.

Lima Project
Glazed Earthenware decorated with Cuerda Seca technique

Key Areas

Methods of Production: Establishing production and firing methods in line with existing products ( brightly coloured earthenware).

Design: Producing designs based on key elements from the Que de seca style. Colour form and decoration technique

Materials: Adapting existing /available materials to produce required designs, possibility of introducing alternative materials suitable to achieve designs and function.

Project Expectations

RW was asked to establish whether it was possible to
create the Pottery known widely as Que de seca Not only would the work need to be consistent in quality the pottery would have to be able to produce a high number of pieces.
The pieces are slip cast or ‘jigger and jolly’ made white earthenware which is then glazed with brightly coloured glazes and the black wax resist which gives the pottery its name.