Cotton Tree Lodge Pottery Studio

While hanging out in some Cotton Tree Lodge hammocks one day a year or two ago, Chris Crowell and friend Joanie Alexander dreamed about having a pottery studio at the lodge. Belize abounds in clay of many different colors and consistencies. Chris, an ex potter and art teacher, was excited about exploring pottery from the ground up. Joanie soon visited rural potters in Nicaragua with a group led by Potters for Peace, seeing artistic animated pottery that could be made in low fire, low tech kilns, finished with burnishing rather than glazing. A studio building was constructed behind the main lodge and a wood fire kiln made this past winter of local materials. The studio structure is large and open. Chris is offering space to local artisans to make carved rosewood bowls, dugout canoes and woven baskets.

Hopefully others will share interest in pottery as well. The studio is a project in the making, open to ideas, skills and energy as well as cool breezes. Any artists out there interested in having workshops at the lodge? Contact info@cottontreelodge.com and we'll work with you to plan something wonderful.